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After months of speculation, Jennifer Love Hewitt has finally confirmed her return to the I Know What You Did Last Summer horror franchise after 27 years.
The actress, 45 — who famously played Julie James in both the iconic 1997 film and its 1998 follow-up — shared the exciting news Friday via Instagram.
'It's never too late to go back. Julie James is returning,' captioned Hewitt, who included a haunting photo of herself on set.
The image captured Hewitt staring into a dirty mirror covered in sticky notes left by the film's ruthless killer.
Alluding to the highly-anticipated sequel's July 18, 2025 release date, Hewitt concluded her caption with: 'I know what you will be doing next summer!'
She will share the screen again with fellow original star Freddie Prinze Jr. — who played Ray Bronson — and a cast of newcomers that includes Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Madelyn Cline.
After months of rumors, Jennifer Love Hewitt has finally confirmed her return to the I Know What You Did Last Summer horror franchise after 27 years; seen in 2019
The actress, 45 — who famously played Julie James in both the iconic 1997 film and its 1998 follow-up — shared the exciting news Friday via Instagram; seen with co-star Freddie Prinze Jr. in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
I Know What You Did Last Summer, which was released in October 1997, follows four teens who accidentally hit and kill a fisherman with their car.
Instead of calling for help, they decide to dispose of the body and vow to never speak of the deed again.
One year later, the group begin being stalked by a mystery killer with a hook who claims to have witnessed the crime they thought they'd gotten away with.
Along with Hewitt and Prinze Jr., the original film also starred Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe as Helen Shivers and Barry Cox, respectively.
The film was a massive success as it raked in over $125million at the worldwide box office on a modest $17million budget.
A sequel, titled I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, was quickly green lit with Hewitt and Prinze Jr. returning. It premiered in theaters in November 1998.
It was panned by both audiences and critics, with many calling it 'boring' and 'predictable.'
It also failed to achieve the success of its predecessor but still made a profit as it earned $125million at the global box office on a reported budget that ranged from $25million to $65million.
'It's never too late to go back. Julie James is returning,' captioned Hewitt, who included a haunting photo of herself on set
A poorly received third installment, I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, was released straight-to-video in 2006. Neither Prinze Jr. or Hewitt returned for the film.
Last year, it was announced that another I Know What You Did Last Summer film was in the works with director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson attached.
While plot details have yet to be revealed, it was previously reported that it will 'ignore the subsequent sequels and start a new timeline,' as per ScreenRant.
Production commenced last month in Sydney, Australia, with Prinze Jr. confirmed to return.
His wife and former I Know What You Did Last Summer co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar joined him on the shoot but she is not part of the sequel's cast because her character was murdered in the original movie.
Fans of the horror franchise have been speculating for months about whether or not Hewitt would reprise her iconic role.
Earlier this year, the actress reminisced about playing her I Know What You Did Last Summer character Julie James.
I Know What You Did Last Summer, which was released in October 1997, follows four teens who accidentally hit and kill a fisherman with their car. Instead of calling for help, they decide to dispose of the body and vow to never speak of that terrible night again. One year later, the group begin being pursued by a mystery killer with a hook who claims to have witnessed the crime they thought they'd gotten away with
Along with Hewitt and Prinze Jr., the original film also starred Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe as Helen Shivers and Barry Cox, respectively
'She's a very special person to me because that movie changed my career. She changed my belief in myself,' she told Variety of the role.
In the same interview, she hinted at a potential return and revealed that she was in talks with the sequel's production.
At the time, she had not officially signed on for the film.
'I will say it is truly such an honor, at 45, to even be invited back. To be thought of in that way, to not just move on to the newer, better, younger versions, but [to be offered] to come back and play that part is really cool,' Hewitt said at the time.
Hewitt's confirmation on Friday comes one day after Gellar sparked rumors of a feud between herself and her former co-star.
In an awkward interview clip that has since gone viral, Gellar was asked by Extra about the possibility of Hewitt being in the new I Know What You Did Last Summer film.
In response to the question, Sarah wore a tight expression and said: 'I have nothing to do with that,' before ending the interview by smiling and walking off.
Earlier this year, Hewitt reminisced about playing her I Know What You Did Last Summer character Julie James; Hewitt seen with Sarah Michelle Gellar in the 1997 horror film
She gave the interview during the red carpet premiere of her upcoming show Dexter: Original Sin, a prequel to the smash hit Showtime drama Dexter.
A fan posted the exchange to X, formerly known as Twitter, and exclaimed: 'Look at her face!! She hates her so bad! sksksksk.'
The replies were filled with other X users agreeing with the original poster, remarking that Sarah's answer 'seems so shady LOL' and marveling: 'Omg that face.'
However, fans now believe Gellar's awkward answer may have been her trying not to let the news of Hewitt's involvement slip before Friday's official announcement.
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