Latest news with #legacysequel
Forbes
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Freddie Prinze Jr. Unpacks (Spoilers) Scenes In ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer'
Freddie Prinze Jr. in "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Now that the new version of I Know What You Did Last Summer is out in theaters, Freddie Prinze Jr. can finally talk about the legacy sequel's shocking twists and the film's big cameo appearance. Also featuring the return of Jennifer Love Hewitt from the 1997 original film of the same name, I Know What You Did Last Summer opened in theaters nationwide on Friday. The film follows a group of five friends — played by Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers and Sarah Pidgeon — who are targeted by a hook-wielding fisherman in the coastal town of Southport, N.C., after they covered up the accidental death of a motorist a year prior. Since the gruesome deaths perpetrated by the mysterious, slick-wearing fisherman echo the circumstances surrounding Southport Massacre that Ray Bronson (Prinze) and Julie James (Hewitt) survived nearly three decades before, the friends seek out the help of the former couple. The problem is, Ray and Julie — who went on to marry but are now are bitterly divorced — are reluctant to help the group ferret out the identity of the killer before he strikes again because of the trauma that they still carrry with them. Note: The rest of the story reveals major spoilers from "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon and Freddie Prinze Jr. in "I Know What You Did Last ... More Summer." Prinze Says His Character's Twist Made It Easy For Him To Board 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' In a Zoom conversation on Friday, Freddie Prinze Jr. revealed that he initially said no to the idea of reprising Ray Bronson for I Know What You Did Last Summer, but since the film's director — Do Revenge filmmaker Jennifer Kaytin Robinson — was a friend of his, he decided to hear her plans for a potential new film featuring his legacy character. As it turns out, Robinson had a twist in store for Ray that Prinze immediately embraced — she made the one of the heroes of the original story one of new film's villains. To start, Prinze said he was intrigued by the different ways Robinson made Ray and Julie deal with the trauma they suffered after surviving the wrath of the fisherman killer nearly 30 years before. While Julie approached it from a healthy standpoint, Ray coped with the trauma led him down a very dark path that rears its ugly head as both he and Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon) are revealed in the third act to be the killers wreaking havoc in Southport. As it turns out, the person who died in the accident that the friend group caused was a close friend of Stevie's. As such, it made Stevie and Ray crack at the same time because Ray had promised to watch over Stevie after her father died. Effectively, witnessing Stevie's trauma over losing her friend was too much for either of them to bear. 'Jennifer started talking about that trauma path and how it's going to break his psyche and he's going to be a broken man,' Prinze said. 'He hasn't dealt with it the way Julie has. He's run away from it and has refused to deal with it in the past 27 years, and the pressure in the prison [of his mind began to build up]. 'So, when the same thing happens to Stevie — who he happens to love and care about like a daughter, almost — because of the empathy that he had for Stevie, it made it much more justifiable for Ray to cross a line that you can't uncross,' Prinze added. Ironically, Prinze said he wasn't present and wearing the fisherman's slicker for Ray's kill scenes in I Know What You Did Last Summer. In retrospect, he feels it was a good move to shoot any scenes of him in the iconic outfit during filming because it virtually eliminated the chances of the shocking plot twist being leaked. 'They shot [the kill scenes] without me when I was still in America and they were filming in Australia,' Prinze said. 'I only wore it when they had me try it on to get sizes, so that we would find somebody that was the same size as me so would fit them the same way. 'It was one of the more challenging things in the movie, to be honest, to find somebody with the same body type as me, Prinze added. "After that, Jen discussed with me which kills were mine and which kills were Sarah's throughout the script.' About That Big Cameo In 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' While the public has been led to believe that Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt were the only two characters from the original I Know What You Did Last Summer to return for the new film, director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson had figured out a creative way to bring another key character who died in the 1997 film. The fun part about bringing back the character, Helen Shivers, for a nightmarish dream sequence is that the star who played her, Sarah Michelle Gellar, is also Prinze's longtime wife. It provided the couple with a plausible way of downplaying any rumors of a cameo when she posted photos of her visiting her husband in Australia during production. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr. at the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" Los Angeles ... More Premiere held at The United Theater on Broadway on July 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images) As such, Prinze said nobody knew about the cameo from day one of the production, except for him, Gellar, Robinson, her co-screenwriter, Sam Lansky and later on, select people at the studio. None of the cast members were even told about the cameo, Prinze noted, with the exception of Madelyn Cline — who shares the scene with Gellar — but even she didn't find out about the scene until later in the production. 'It was really under wraps so that nobody would know, so there was no chance for it to get out and I was so excited about it,' Prinze said. What made the scene even more thrilling for Prinze to experience was that when Gellar recently attended the premiere of the film with him, the general feeling was that she was there to support her husband's new film. Little did people at the premiere know that Gellar was in the film, too, and Prinze's character's storyline was about to take a shocking turn. 'It was pretty exciting to know those two secrets and to have kept them for so long, so to get honest, genuine responses from people is a really rewarding experience,' Prinze enthused. 'People didn't recognize her at first since it's a silhouette of her from the back. "When she turned, the whole crowd in the 1,100-seat theater we were in went bananas … they genuinely love Sarah and they genuinely love that character, and I thought it was so smart that Jen put that scene in there,' Prinze added. Rated R, I Know What You Did Last Summer is new in theaters. Note: Some quotes in this interview were condensed or edited for clarity.
The National
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Classic horror movies that deserve legacy sequels more than I Know What You Did Last Summer
This weekend, a legacy sequel to the I Know What You Did Last Summer films is coming to cinemas. The film, titled the same as the 1997 first, will see the return of Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr, who are both reprising their original roles. Horror cinema has been mining historically popular films and franchises to try and revive them with reboots or sequels, which might not always work as well as they should. While the original I Know What You Did Last Summer is not a bad film, for many horror connoisseurs it is broadly remembered for its attention-grabbing title, as well as the many times it was parodied in films like Scary Movie. But what is the difference between a legacy sequel and a normal sequel? A legacy sequel revisits a franchise after many years, often featuring original characters alongside a new generation, blending nostalgia with fresh narratives. On the other hand, a regular sequel continues the story more immediately, typically with the same cast and timeline. In this list, we have picked six horror films that feel more worthy of a legacy sequel. Shaun of the Dead (2004) Shaun of the Dead is a horror-comedy that successfully blends gruesome scares with witty humour and heartfelt character moments. Released in the early 2000s, it helped launch a new subgenre affectionately called the zom-com (a portmanteau of zombie and comedy). The film, which was written by and starred Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost, and was directed by Edgar Wright, ends on something of sombre but hopeful prospect for the future. Legacy potential: A legacy sequel could explore the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse or a new outbreak, especially the evolving relationship between the two leads, one of who has become a zombie. This year, horror fans were treated to a legacy sequel to the 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later films. Perhaps it's time to check in on Shaun and see what his world looks like now. Phantasm (1979) The Phantasm series is celebrated for its surrealist haunting atmosphere. The strange and unsettling world, created by Don Coscarelli, centred on the Tall Man and his eerie minions, has become a cult favourite over the years. The series ended with a fifth instalment, Phantasm: Ravager in 2016, which wrapped up many plot threads, but left room for interpretation and further exploration. Legacy potential: A 2020s follow-up could provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the Tall Man's origins and the mysterious dimensions he manipulates. It could also introduce the franchise to a new generation of horror enthusiasts. Given the success of other surreal horror continuations, Phantasm has the potential to succeed by embracing modern filmmaking techniques while maintaining its cult charm. Event Horizon (1997) Event Horizon has achieved cult status as a cosmic horror masterpiece that combines science fiction with supernatural dread. Though it underperformed at the box office in 1997, it has since been praised for its intense atmosphere and disturbing themes, thriving in repertory screenings and on home video. Directed by Paul W S Anderson, who went on to direct the Resident Evil films, Event Horizon 's premise follows a spaceship that returns from a voyage beyond known space with a malevolent force on board. Legacy potential: A film that explores the aftermath of the original disaster or introduces a new mission with even higher stakes could go down well with fans. The original film doesn't use the usual space scares such as aliens, instead it melds the supernatural with the scientific to create a bone-chilling experience. There's no shortage of space films, but a sequel to Event Horizon would both satisfy a hungry fanbase and continue a truly horrific story. The Sixth Sense (1999) M Night Shyamalan 's The Sixth Sense is one of the most adored psychological horror films of the 1990s, best known for its emotional depth and unforgettable twist. Since its release in 1999, the film has been praised for its intelligent screenplay and strong performances. Legacy potential: While the film stands perfectly on its own, a carefully conceived legacy sequel could explore new storylines surrounding the characters. The child in the film, played by Haley Joel Osment, could become a father in the sequel. His son could carry his gift, but also include another aspect that complicates things, perhaps clairvoyance. To maintain both tonal and thematic continuity, Shyamalan would have to helm the effort, as no one else should be trusted with a sequel this important. Call it The Seventh Sense, perhaps? Army of Darkness (1992) The third instalment in the Evil Dead franchise, Army of Darkness stands out for its mix of horror, fantasy, and comedy. Bruce Campbell's character Ash, and the film's blend of slapstick humour and supernatural adventure has earned it a devoted following. Though the Evil Dead series has seen multiple sequels and a television series, most recently with Evil Dead Rise in 2023, Army of Darkness remains a unique entity. Legacy potential: A new entry could revisit Ash's adventures, even exploring what happens after his time in the medieval past or following his continued battles with the forces of evil in the modern day. With the rising popularity of nostalgic 1980s and 1990s properties, the character's wisecracking charm and the film's mix of genres could easily be adapted to contemporary tastes. Don't Look Now (1973) Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now is a psychological horror that blends grief, supernatural elements and a haunting atmosphere. Released in 1973, it is often cited as one of the greatest British horror films of all time, made more notable for its evocative use of Venice as a setting, and its exploration of loss and grief. Legacy potential: The film's ambiguous ending and layered narrative leave ample room for a legacy sequel that could further explore its chilling themes. A continuation might focus on new characters who encounter the lingering supernatural presence, or revisit the original story from a different perspective. With the 2024 passing of the film's star, Donald Sutherland, a legacy sequel could see his son, Kiefer Sutherland, take the role.
Digital Trends
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
If you liked I Know What You Did Last Summer, then watch these 5 movies
More than 25 years after a group of teens first did something last summer, I Know What You Did Last Summer is back with a legacy sequel. It's far from the first of these revived horror franchises from the 1990s, but if you liked the slasher vibes of this new installment, we know exactly where you should go next. These movies all share something in common with the new I Know What You Did Last Summer. Whether they're legendary horror movies or something a little bit newer, here are five similar movies you should check out: Scream (2022) Perhaps the movie most similar to I Know What You Did Last Summer, this new Scream is a legacy sequel that knows what to do. It follows a new cast of young characters who are being hunted down by a killer wearing a Ghostface mask. The teens then seek help from the now-adults who beat Ghostface the first time. Recommended Videos In addition to featuring a younger generation of stars, Scream is clever, funny, and knows its role as the fifth film in a franchise that has existed for 25 years. You couldn't ask for much more from a slasher. You can watch Scream on Hulu. Final Destination Bloodlines (2025) Another legacy sequel that knows exactly what it's doing, Bloodlines might actually be the best movie in the Final Destination franchise. Like all of these movies, it is constructed around the notion that death is coming for a specific group of people, and often in remarkably elaborate ways. Surprisingly, though, Bloodlines manages to find a new way into this particular conceit, one that suggests that we sometimes only inherit the worst things from the generations who came before us. You can rent Final Destination Bloodlines on Amazon Prime Video. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) One of the foundational slasher movies, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is maybe the scariest horror film ever made. The film follows a group of young people traveling across the country in a van who come across a group of cannibals who attack them with chainsaws in rural Texas. The movie's brilliance is that its villains are mostly faceless and nameless. They just exist to kill our heroes, and the pure senselessness of their actions is part of the point. Even if you survive the movie's terror, you'll find yourself forever changed by what you watched. You can watch The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on Tubi. You're Next (2013) As an underseen slasher-thriller, You're Next tells the story of a wealthy family who reunites at their parents' mansion in an attempt to bury the hatchet. When they begin to be picked off by masked, crossbow-wielding assassins, the family quickly realizes that they must band together to stay alive. You're Next is thrilling and surprising and features just the right amount of gore and violence. Adam Wingard, who directed the movie, went on to make Godzilla vs. Kong, but this remains his best and most interesting movie to date. You can watch You're Next on Tubi. Freaky (2020) Another great slasher comedy that got totally buried during the pandemic, Freaky combines a standard slasher movie with a body swap comedy to excellent results. The film stars Vince Vaughn as a serial killer who switches bodies with a high school girl; she suddenly becomes much more focused on getting her body back. Vaughn is excellent as a young woman trapped in the body of a middle-aged man, but just as good is Kathryn Newton as a teenage girl turned middle-aged man who wants nothing more than to kill as many people as he can. You can watch Freaky on Amazon Prime Video.
