It’s official—Jennifer Love Hewitt is returning to the franchise that made her a household name.

The actress took to Instagram to confirm her role in the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel, thrilling fans with her announcement: “It’s never too late to go back. Julie James is returning.” She capped it off with a playful nod to the film’s release date, adding, “I know what you will be doing next summer,” ahead of its July 18, 2025 debut.

The confirmation comes after months of speculation and teases. Hewitt hinted at her comeback during an appearance on the I’ve Never Said This Before With Tommy DiDario podcast, where she acknowledged she was “possibly preparing” for a return to the iconic slasher series.

“I just don’t want to be the ghost of ’90s past,” she explained on the podcast. “If she comes back, then it means something. I want to be there for Julie James fans.”

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Joining Hewitt in the sequel is Freddie Prinze Jr., who reprises his role alongside a new generation of stars, including Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, and Jonah Hauer-King. Production is already underway, and the project is being helmed by director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge).

While the sequel promises to carry the story forward, it hasn’t been without challenges. Hewitt noted that balancing her 9-1-1 filming schedule with the demands of the movie took some maneuvering. “If I’m going to come back 27 years later, I don’t want to just be in it for five seconds,” she told Parade.

Fans got a sneak peek into production when Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred in the original alongside Hewitt and Prinze Jr., accidentally shared a set photo on Thanksgiving. Gellar later joked about breaking the rules on Live with Kelly and Mark: “You would think I know better.”

Hewitt’s return is not just about nostalgia but also about addressing long-standing rumors. She debunked speculation about on-set feuds during the original film, particularly with Gellar, saying, “I was 18. They were not taking script notes from me. I root for her and Freddie—it’s the cutest thing in the world that they’ve been married for 100 years.”

The original I Know What You Did Last Summer became a cultural phenomenon in 1997, blending teenage drama with slasher thrills. Directed by Jim Gillespie and written by Kevin Williamson, the film and its 1998 sequel cemented Hewitt’s place as a scream queen.

As for whether other cast members from the original series might return, Hewitt played coy. When asked about Brandy Norwood from the 1998 sequel, she admitted, “I have heard that. Yes, I have.” She also joked about needing to rewatch the movies to remember who survived, adding, “My first thought was, ‘We have to have Jack Black,’ and then I was like, ‘Oh no, he died.’”

What do you think about Jennifer Love Hewitt’s return as Julie James? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

Felix Upton

Boom goes the dynamite!

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