admin Jennifer Love Hewitt is officially returning to the role that made her a scream queen icon. The actor reprises her character, Julie James, in the highly anticipated 2025 sequel to I Know What You Did Last Summer, set to hit theaters nationwide on July 18. Nearly 28 years after the original film, Hewitt steps back into the franchise with a performance rooted in growth, trauma, and legacy.
In this new installment, Julie is introduced as a psychology professor who specializes in trauma. She lives a quiet life until a new threat emerges. Ava Brucks, portrayed by Chase Sui Wonders, seeks Julie’s help after a Fisherman copycat begins targeting her friend group in Southport, North Carolina.
Hewitt admits she was initially reluctant to return. She wanted to ensure Julie’s presence served a purpose beyond nostalgia. After careful consideration, she agreed, hoping to show a character who still carries the weight of her past. “I wanted the audience to be proud of who Julie has become,” Hewitt said.
To prepare, the actress rewatched the original 1997 and 1998 films. It marked the first time she shared the movies with her children. The experience brought new insight into Julie’s emotional state after the traumatic events of the past. “She didn’t just lose her innocence. She lost everything,” Hewitt reflected.
Freddie Prinze Jr. also returns as Ray, Julie’s former love interest. Their reunion on set was emotional. Hewitt described it as a surreal moment that instantly rekindled their onscreen chemistry. “We still fit in with each other,” she said.
One of the film’s most talked-about moments is the ending, which Hewitt described as jaw-dropping. While remaining spoiler-free, she confirmed that the final scenes draw on emotional threads from earlier films, delivering a twist that longtime fans will appreciate.
The sequel also features the return of Julie’s iconic line, “What are you waiting for, huh?” The moment holds new meaning this time, while still honoring its original legacy. Hewitt confirmed that a contest-winning fan may have inspired the famous scene during the first film’s production.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) premieres July 18, continuing Julie James’ chilling journey with fresh terror and familiar ghosts.
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