Jennifer Love Hewitt has closed a deal to reprise her role as Julie James in the upcoming “I Know What You Did Last Summer” movie at Sony, directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.
Hewitt joins previously announced cast Freddie Prinze Jr. (who also returns to the horror franchise), Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Haur-King, Lola Tung, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Austin Nichols and Gabbriette. Kaytin Robinson is directing the sequel, from a script she co-wrote with Sam Lansky based off a draft by Leah McKendrick. Neal Moritz is producing.
Sony Pictures will release the film in theaters on July 18.
The original “I Know What You Did Last Summer” followed four young friends (Hewitt, Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe) bound by a tragic accident who are reunited when they find themselves being stalked by a hook-wielding maniac. The film became a cult classic, earned over $125 million worldwide and led to the sequel “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,” which saw Hewitt and Prinze Jr. joined by Brandy and Mekhi Phifer. Plot details for the newest installment have yet to be revealed.
In a recent interview with Variety, Hewitt waxed poetic about playing the fan-favorite character, who also holds a special place in her heart because “it was one of the big first things I ever manifested.”
“She’s a very special person to me because that movie changed my career. She changed my belief in myself” Hewitt said, noting that she originally read for Sarah Michelle Gellar’s role before realizing mid-audition that Julie was a better fit. “Being able to know that I could see things before they happened and make them happen, and put that out to the universe, and be rewarded in that way — that was a beautiful lesson for me in my life. It has helped me tremendously in my almost 36 years now of doing this.”
Hewitt also expressed her excitement about the forthcoming sequel, saying, “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.”
At the time, Hewitt’s deal wasn’t closed, but she reassured fans that conversations about the role were progressing in a positive direction.
“A big part of the reason we’ve taken a minute is I don’t want to just be like, “Oh, there’s the ghost of ’90s past for five seconds in the movie,” she explained. “I want to have her come back, be there for a reason, play a real part, and show the audience who she’s become 27 years later.” Hewitt joked: “I think the scariest thing about the movie will probably be people seeing me as 45, since they saw me last time at 21.”
Hewitt currently co-stars on the Fox show “9-1-1” and will next be seen starring, directing and executive producing the Lifetime film “The Holiday Junkie.” Her TV resume also includes the hit series “Ghost Whisperer” and “The Client List,” the latter for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, while her film roles include the romantic comedy “Heartbreakers,” opposite Sigourney Weaver, and the action comedy “The Tuxedo” with Jackie Chan.
In addition to her acting, producing and directing credits, Hewitt is a singer and songwriter. Her most recent studio album, “BareNaked,” became her first album to chart on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. Hewitt’s debut novel, 2010’s “The Day I Shot Cupid,” became a NY Times bestseller and she released her follow up, the memoir “Inheriting Magic,” earlier this month.
Hewitt is represented by Vault Entertainment and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman LLP.
Deadline was first to report news of Hewitt’s return.
English (US) ·