Freddie Prinze Jr. Returns To ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ For July 2025 Reboot
The '90s horror icon rejoins the franchise that made him famous with a new generation of stars
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.
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The past never stays buried for long. Freddie Prinze Jr. is officially returning to the horror franchise that helped launch his career back in the 1990s, with Sony Pictures announcing a theatrical reboot of “I Know What You Did Last Summer” set to premiere exclusively in theaters on July 18, 2025.
In an Instagram post shared by Paradigm Talent Agency, Freddie Prinze Jr. is confirmed to be reprising his role in the slasher franchise, joined by actor Billy Campbell in what promises to be a fresh take on the iconic horror series. The teaser image shows a dark, moody scene that captures the ominous tone fans would expect from the franchise.
Returning To His Horror Roots
The caption accompanying the announcement emphasizes the connection to the original film with the phrase “returns to where the horror began,” suggesting this new installment will honor the legacy of the 1997 hit while introducing the story to a new generation of viewers.
For Prinze Jr., this marks a significant return to the franchise that helped establish him as one of the most recognized young actors of the late ’90s. In the original film, he played Ray Bronson, one of four friends haunted by a deadly secret after a fatal hit-and-run accident.
New Blood Joins The Franchise
This isn’t just a nostalgic reunion, however. According to recent promotional materials for the film, Jennifer Love Hewitt is also returning to reprise her role from the original films. The new ensemble cast features several rising stars including Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Jonah Hauer-King, and Tyriq Withers.
Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson has been quoted saying the team aimed for “balls-to-the-wall fun” with the new installment, promising that the “brutal” scares are “ratcheted up to a hundred.” The first-look images released by People magazine show both returning stars alongside the new cast members, bridging the generational gap in the franchise.
A Franchise Revitalized
The original “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997) was a commercial hit that capitalized on the post-“Scream” slasher revival, grossing over $125 million worldwide on a modest budget. It spawned a sequel, “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” (1998), and a direct-to-video third installment, “I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer” (2006).
The franchise was also adapted into an Amazon Prime Video series in 2021, though it featured an entirely new story with no connection to the films.
This theatrical reboot marks the first time in over 25 years that original cast members are returning to the franchise, suggesting a direct connection to the events of the first films rather than a complete reimagining.
Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Evolving Career
Beyond his return to horror, Prinze Jr. has maintained a diverse career. According to his Wikipedia page, after rising to fame in the late 1990s with films like “She’s All That” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” he has worked in television, voice acting, and even professional wrestling as a writer and producer for WWE.
More recently, Prinze Jr. has been active in the podcasting world. His wrestling-focused podcast “Wrestling With Freddie” recently announced its return for a fifth season, premiering on April 23rd. He also co-hosts the horror podcast “That Was Pretty Scary,” which recently celebrated reaching one million downloads.
In a recent podcast episode, Prinze Jr. even joked about a potential crossover between “She’s All That” and “Mulholland Drive,” showing his willingness to revisit and playfully reference his past roles.
The Summer Horror Landscape
The July release date positions “I Know What You Did Last Summer” in the heart of the summer movie season, traditionally a strong period for horror films targeting younger audiences who are out of school.
With its blend of nostalgia and fresh talent, the reboot seems positioned to appeal to both original fans of the franchise now in their 40s and a new generation of horror enthusiasts.
As the tagline in the Instagram post ominously warns, “some secrets don’t stay buried” — and for horror fans, the resurrection of this beloved franchise might be one secret worth unearthing when it hits theaters this summer.
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