Despite her character's death, Gellar plays an unofficial role as continuity advisor for the upcoming film, which stars her husband Freddie Prinze Jr. and other A-list actors.
- Oct 7, 2024
AceShowbiz - Sarah Michelle Gellar knows a thing or two about the concept of dead means dead, especially when it comes to her role as Helen Shivers in the 1997 horror classic "I Know What You Did Last Summer.". In a new interview, Gellar, 47, confirmed that her character's fate in the original film is final. "I am dead," she emphasizes, making it clear she won't be starring in the upcoming reboot.
Nonetheless, Gellar has found a unique way to contribute to the new project, which her husband Freddie Prinze Jr. is set to reprise his role in. While she may not appear on screen, Gellar admits she will play an "unofficial" behind-the-scenes role. Given that her best friend Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is directing the reboot, Gellar describes herself as a continuity consultant, saying, “I'm always the one telling her, 'Well, that would happen, or that wouldn't happen with those characters.'”
The original "I Know What You Did Last Summer" film became a cultural phenomenon by following a group of four friends stalked by a hook-wielding killer after they accidentally kill a man. Starring alongside Prinze Jr. and Gellar were Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe. Based on the 1973 novel of the same name, the film also saw a direct sequel, "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer", in 1998, a 2006 reboot and a 2021 television series on Prime Video.
The new reboot, slated for a theatrical release on July 18, 2025, will see Prinze Jr. return as Ray Bronson. Jennifer Love Hewitt is also in talks to return. Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Haur-King, Sarah Pidgeon and Tyriq Withers will be rounding out the cast, though Camila Mendes had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts.
Gellar couldn't be more excited for the reboot, sharing her enthusiasm about the cast and the film's potential. "Jen's put together such an amazing cast, and I'm so happy and excited for all of them," she tells PEOPLE. Despite her character's permanent demise, Gellar hints at her likely appearance at the premiere. "Well, I mean, my husband is in the movie, my best friend wrote and directed it, [so] I think there's a pretty good chance I will go to that premiere."
While fans won't get to see Helen Shivers come back from the dead, Gellar's involvement ensures that the legacy of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" continues seamlessly. Stay tuned for more updates as the film's release date approaches.
