Sarah Michelle Gellar is setting the record straight after a viral interview clip sparked speculation about a feud with former co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Earlier this week, Gellar, 47, gave an awkward response when asked about Hewitt’s possible involvement in the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel at the red carpet premiere of her new show Dexter : Original Sin.
Gellar had a tense expression and said: Extra: “I have nothing to do with that,” before abruptly ending the interview, smiling and walking away.
She and Hewitt, as well as Gellar’s husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., starred together in the famous 1997 horror film.
Prinze Jr. has signed on for the sequel, which is set for release in July 2025 and is currently filming in Sydney, but, at the time of Gellar’s interview, Hewitt had yet to confirm his return to the franchise.
But now that the news is out, Gellar is clearing up the feud rumors by sharing the reason behind her strange response on the red carpet.
Sarah Michelle Gellar is setting the record straight after a viral interview clip sparked speculation about a feud with former co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt; Gellar seen on December 12
Earlier this week, Gellar gave an awkward response when asked about Hewitt’s possible involvement in the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel at the red carpet premiere of Dexter: Original Sin; Gellar and Hewitt seen in 1997 horror film
On her Instagram Story, the Buffy star, who will not appear in the horror sequel, explained that she secretly knew about Hewitt’s involvement but couldn’t share it due to the non-disclosure agreement she signed.
Her awkward interaction with the red carpet reporter was born out of a fear of accidentally letting the cat out of the bag.
“Aspiring actors, please note: This deer-in-the-headlights reaction is perfect for when you’re excited to see so many old friends on a project but have already stupidly forgotten what NDA means once this month,” Gellar wrote.
He wrote the text above a photograph taken of a director’s chair on the set of the sequel in Sydney.
The post came hours after Hewitt confirmed her return to the horror franchise I Know What You Did Last Summer after 27 years.
‘It’s never too late to come back. “Julie James is coming back,” captioned Hewitt, 45, who included a haunting photo of herself on set.
The image captured Hewitt looking into a dirty mirror covered in sticky notes left by the film’s ruthless killer.
Alluding to the long-awaited sequel’s July 18, 2025 release date, Hewitt concluded his caption with, “I know what you’ll do next summer!”
He had a tense expression and told Extra: “I have nothing to do with that,” before abruptly ending the interview smiling and walking away.
Fans flocked to social media in the wake of Gellar’s interview to speculate about her relationship with Hewitt.
He will share the screen again with fellow original star Prinze Jr., who played Ray Bronson, and a cast of newcomers including Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Madelyn Cline.
I Know What You Did Last Summer, which premiered in October 1997, follows four teenagers who accidentally hit and kill a fisherman with their car.
Instead of asking for help, they decide to get rid of the body and promise not to talk about it again.
A year later, the group begins to be stalked by a mysterious hook-wielding killer who claims to have witnessed the crime they thought they got away with.
Along with Hewitt and Prinze Jr., the original film also starred Gellar and Ryan Phillippe as Helen Shivers and Barry Cox, respectively.
The film was a huge success, grossing over $125 million at the worldwide box office on a modest budget of $17 million.
A sequel, titled I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, was quickly greenlit with the return of Hewitt and Prinze Jr. It was released theatrically in November 1998.
It was panned by both audiences and critics, with many calling it “boring” and “predictable.”
At the time of Gellar’s interview, it was unknown if Hewitt had signed on to appear in the upcoming sequel. But Hewitt confirmed his return to the franchise on Friday with a post on Instagram.
Hours later, Gellar took to Instagram Story to explain that her awkward behavior on the red carpet was a result of not wanting to accidentally reveal Hewitt’s return before the official announcement.
It also failed to achieve the success of its predecessor, but still turned a profit, earning $125 million at the global box office on a reported budget ranging from $25 million to $65 million.
A poorly received third installment, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, was released straight-to-video in 2006. Neither Prinze Jr. nor Hewitt returned for the film.
Last year, it was announced that another I Know What You Did Last Summer movie 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 subsequent sequels and start a new timeline,” according to ScreenRant.
Production began last month in Sydney, Australia, and Prinze Jr.’s return was confirmed.
His wife and former I Know What You Did Last Summer co-star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, joined him on filming, but is not part of the cast of the sequel because her character was killed off in the original film.
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 recalled her portrayal of her I Know What You Did Last Summer character, Julie James.
I Know What You Did Last Summer, which premiered in October 1997, follows four teenagers who accidentally hit and kill a fisherman with their car. Instead of asking for help, they decide to dispose of the body and promise not to speak of that terrible night again. A year later, the group begins to be pursued by a mysterious hook-wielding killer who claims to have witnessed the crime they thought they got away with.
Earlier this year, Hewitt recalled her portrayal of her I Know What You Did Last Summer character, Julie James; seen in 2019
‘She is a very special person to me because that film changed my career. “She changed my belief in myself,” she said. Variety of the role.
In the same interview, he hinted at a possible return and revealed that he was in talks with the production of the sequel.
At that time, she had not officially signed on for the film.
‘I will say it’s a really great honour, at 45 years old, to even be invited back. “To be thought of that way, to not just move on to the newer, better, younger versions, but (to be offered) to come back and play that role is really cool,” Hewitt said at the time.