Freddie Prinze Jr. reveals his children’s unexpected reaction to original ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’
The highly anticipated “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (IKWYDLS) sequel, part of the iconic horror franchise, arrives in theatres July 18, just after the Fourth of July holiday.
Children Unimpressed by Horror Classic
Freddie Prinze Jr. recently shared that his children weren’t frightened by the original “I Know What You Did Last Summer” movie, a cult classic produced by Columbia Pictures.
Speaking at the Los Angeles world premiere of the new “I Know What You Did Last Summer” film on Monday, Prinze Jr. revealed that his children, Charlotte and Rocky, whom he shares with actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, remained unfazed while watching the 1997 Jim Gillespie-directed thriller, noting they “didn’t scream once.”
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“They were amused because filmmakers like James Wan created ‘Saw,’ which fundamentally transformed the genre,” he explained, expressing his desire for this new instalment to “continue advancing the [horror] genre and inspire the next generation of filmmakers to do likewise.”
The Evolution of Horror Entertainment
“Horror transforms rapidly,” Prinze Jr elaborated. “These creative minds are constantly striving to surpass each other… what induced fear five, 10 years ago doesn’t have the same impact now, especially for the modern audience.”
The veteran actor, who appeared in the original “I Know What You Did Last Summer” with Gellar, Jennifer Love Hewitt (often hailed as a scream queen), and Ryan Phillippe, returns in the new sequel helmed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, reprising his character Ray Bronson. Hewitt also makes her return as Julie James.
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Fresh Faces Join the Franchise
The fresh ensemble includes performances from Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon.
Prinze Jr. expressed admiration for the new cast, stating “they earned the baton.”
“I didn’t need to pass anything along,” he remarked. “Their talent far exceeds what I possessed at their age. It’s remarkable. I deeply admire this cast, respect their craft immensely, and thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with them.”
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Plot Details and Modern Approach
The sequel follows five friends who conceal a deadly car accident they unintentionally caused, making an agreement to “keep it a secret rather than face the consequences,” according to the official synopsis.
Following the original’s format, Robinson’s film jumps forward one year, when the group must “confront” their actions from the previous summer after a killer aware of their secret begins targeting them. The synopsis reveals that the group seeks assistance from “two survivors of the legendary Southport Massacre of 1997.”
Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar, April 2007
Photo credit: David Shankbone, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
Pidgeon, portraying Stevie Ward, characterized the film as “even more intense regarding blood and gore” compared to its predecessors.
“The characters incorporate numerous beautiful elements that honor and reference the original,” she noted. “Yet it maintains its own distinct identity.”
“I believe it stands strongly on its own merits,” she concluded.
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Balancing Nostalgia with Innovation
Screenwriter Sam Lansky emphasized the importance of preserving “all the beloved elements from the original film while adapting them for the 2025 setting.”
“Our primary focus was to capture the essence of what made the first film extraordinary and deliver that same exhilarating experience, that same heart-pounding excitement, to today’s moviegoers that we experienced when we first watched these films in our younger years,” he elaborated.
Robinson revealed that fans can discover various Easter Eggs scattered throughout the new film as tributes to the original. She specifically highlighted one nautical tribute that pays special homage to the first installment.
“Among my personal favorites is the recreation of Ray Bronson’s boat sign ‘Billy Blue’ from the original film, which we’ve incorporated into his bar,” she shared. “We’ve included numerous such details for longtime fans to discover.”
Lansky further commented, “We’ve woven countless subtle references throughout the film that I believe will bring immense joy to viewers. Even those experiencing this story for the first time will find themselves thoroughly entertained.”
Behind the scenes, Sony Pictures has been working tirelessly to ensure that this latest addition to the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” franchise lives up to its predecessors while appealing to a modern audience.
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” makes its theatrical release on July 18, promising to deliver a fresh take on the beloved horror franchise that has captivated audiences for decades.
Source: Angeline Jane Bernabe and Shafiq Najib (July 15, 2025). Freddie Prinze Jr. says his kids weren’t afraid of 1st ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ film. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/freddie-prinze-jr-kids-afraid-1st-summer-film/story?id=123759715
Header Image: Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar, April 2007
Photo credit: David Shankbone, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
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