The new I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel is full of surprises, and one of the biggest shocks comes from none other than Sarah Michelle Gellar, who returns to the franchise despite her character’s death in the original 1997 film. In this latest installment, Gellar makes a surprise cameo, leaving fans thrilled and buzzing with excitement.
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Shocking Cameo
Even though Gellar’s character, Helen Shivers, was killed off by the Fisherman killer in the original movie, she makes a surprising return in the sequel.
Sarah Michelle Gellar had previously told fans that she would not be part of the new movie, even posting a photo from the film’s set in Australia where her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., was filming his return as Ray. Gellar insisted she was “dead,” but that wasn’t entirely true.
In the film, Madelyn Cline’s character, Danica, falls asleep at a police station and has a vivid dream where Helen Shivers reappears, taunting her in the iconic Croaker Queen costume. Gellar’s cameo doesn’t bring her character back to life but adds a fun twist to the movie.
Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s Passion for the Franchise
The film’s director, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who is a huge fan of the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise, shared her excitement about bringing Gellar back. “As a super fan of this franchise, I was never not going to put Helen Shivers in the movie,” Robinson said.
She added that she wanted to keep Gellar’s character “dead” but still find a creative way to honor her legacy in the movie. The director also recreated the Croaker Queen crown, ensuring it was an exact replica from the original film, adding to the nostalgic feel.
Producer Neal H. Moritz, who worked with Gellar on the first two films in the series, said that Gellar had always resisted coming back. But after talking with Robinson, Gellar agreed to the cameo. Moritz praised the decision, explaining that it was nice to bring Gellar back without “bringing her alive,” respecting the character’s original storyline.
Freddie Prinze Jr. on the Surprise Cameo
Freddie Prinze Jr., who has been married to Gellar since 2002 and shares two children with her, knew from the start that Gellar would be making her return. He described the excitement of keeping the cameo a secret and how special it was to watch audiences react to it.
“It’s nice to know a secret, and to know how well-received it’s going to be, months and months before it ever goes out there,” Prinze said.
He also shared his joy in seeing Gellar back on screen, especially since she’s so loved by fans. “Everybody always loves her,” he added. “To give people another taste of that, I just think was awesome.”
Gellar’s Red Carpet Moment
After attending the Los Angeles premiere for the film, Gellar shared her excitement on Instagram, reminiscing about her journey with the franchise.
She expressed her love for the movie, writing, “Still can’t believe… years later (no need to date myself) I got to walk the red carpet at another premiere of @ikwydlsmovie Still starring the most handsome man I know @realfreddieprinze but this time directed by my best friend @jennkaytin and written by Jenn and @samlansky.”
I Know What You Did Last Summer is now in theaters, offering fans a dose of nostalgia and surprises.
