Sarah Michelle Gellar’s seemingly dismissive reaction to a question about Jennifer Love Hewitt’s involvement in the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” reboot sparked speculation and fueled old rumors of a feud between the two actresses. Gellar, known for her role as Helen Shivers in the original 1997 slasher film, was approached on the red carpet for “Dexter: Original Sin” and asked about Hewitt’s return to the franchise. Her response, a dismissive hand gesture and a hasty retreat, immediately ignited online discussions. Some fans attributed her reaction to a simple lack of awareness, given that Gellar’s character was killed off in the first film and she is not involved in the reboot. Others, however, interpreted it as a deliberate snub towards Hewitt, rekindling long-standing whispers of on-set tension between the two stars during the original film’s production.
Gellar subsequently addressed the incident on her Instagram Story, attributing her awkward reaction to a sudden realization that she was bound by a non-disclosure agreement. She explained that her startled expression stemmed from the understanding that she shouldn’t be discussing casting details. This explanation, accompanied by a playful jab at herself for previously forgetting about the NDA, seemingly aimed to diffuse the situation and dismiss any speculation of animosity towards Hewitt. This incident also mirrored a previous social media mishap where Gellar inadvertently shared a photo from the set of her husband Freddie Prinze Jr.’s project, again violating a non-disclosure agreement. This pattern of accidental disclosures further underscores her explanation for the red-carpet reaction.
Adding another layer to the narrative, Gellar’s initial post did not specifically mention Hewitt. However, following Hewitt’s official confirmation of her return to the franchise, Gellar publicly demonstrated her support by reposting the announcement on her Instagram Stories. This gesture of solidarity appeared to quell the brewing controversy and suggest a positive relationship between the two actresses, despite the initial awkward encounter. Hewitt’s announcement, a nostalgic callback to her character Julie James, generated significant buzz among fans eager for the reboot.
The “I Know What You Did Last Summer” franchise holds a special significance for Gellar and Prinze Jr., as it was on the set of the original film that they met and eventually fell in love. Their enduring relationship, spanning over two decades and resulting in two children, adds a poignant dimension to the reboot’s narrative. While Gellar’s character met an untimely demise in the first installment, Prinze Jr. reprised his role alongside Hewitt in the 1998 sequel, “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.” This history further complicates the perceived dynamics between the actors, with rumors persisting that Hewitt was somehow instrumental in Gellar’s character being written out of the franchise.
Hewitt, in a recent podcast appearance, addressed these long-standing rumors head-on. She emphatically denied having any influence over the narrative decisions of the original film, attributing such speculation to the naivete of her younger self. At the time of filming, she was only 18 years old and emphasized that she lacked the authority to dictate casting or storyline choices. She expressed admiration for Gellar and Prinze Jr.’s enduring relationship, dismissing the rumors as baseless and highlighting the absurdity of the situation. This candid denial served to further dispel the notion of a feud and reinforce the idea of a shared experience during the making of the original film.
The “I Know What You Did Last Summer” reboot is slated for a July 18, 2025 release, generating anticipation amongst fans of the original slasher films. The returning cast members, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., will be joined by a new generation of actors, including Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Hauer-King, Lola Tung, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, and Austin Nichols. The blend of familiar faces and fresh talent promises to revitalize the franchise while paying homage to the original films that captivated audiences in the late 1990s. The reboot’s premise, a contemporary take on the classic slasher trope, will likely explore themes of guilt, paranoia, and the consequences of past actions, while incorporating modern sensibilities and updated horror elements.
