Sarah Michelle Gellar sets record straight on Jennifer Love Hewitt feud rumors after THAT viral clip
Sarah Michelle Gellar is setting the record straight after a viral interview clip sparked speculation of a feud with former co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Earlier this week, Gellar, 47, gave an awkward answer when asked about Hewitt’s possible involvement in the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel during the red carpet premiere of her new show Dexter: Original Sin.
Gellar had a straight face and said to him Extra: “I have nothing to do with that,” before abruptly ending the interview by smiling and walking away.
She and Hewitt – as well as Gellar’s husband Freddie Prinze Jr. – famously starred in the 1997 horror film.
Prinze Jr. 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 her return to the franchise.
But now that the news is out, Gellar is clearing up the feud rumors by sharing the reason behind her bizarre response on the red carpet.
Sarah Michelle Gellar is setting the record straight after a viral interview clip sparked speculation of a feud with former co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt; Gellar seen on December 12
Earlier this week, Gellar gave an awkward answer 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 featured in the 1997 horror film
In 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 NDA she signed.
Her awkward interaction with the red carpet reporter stemmed from a fear of accidentally letting the cat out of the bag.
“Note: This deer-in-the-headlights reaction is perfect if you’re excited to see so many old friends in one project but have stupidly forgotten what secrecy means this month,” Gellar wrote.
She wrote the text over a photo 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 I Know What You Did Last Summer horror franchise after 27 years.
‘It’s never too late to go back. Julie James is coming back,” wrote Hewitt, 45, who included a chilling photo of herself on set.
The photo showed Hewitt staring into a dirty mirror covered in sticky notes left by the film’s ruthless killer.
Referring to the highly anticipated sequel’s release date of July 18, 2025, Hewitt concluded her caption with, “I know what you’ll be doing next summer!”
She kept a straight face and told Extra, “I have nothing to do with that,” before abruptly ending the interview by smiling and walking away
Fans flocked to social media after Gellar’s interview to speculate about her relationship with Hewitt
She will once again share the screen with fellow original star Prinze Jr. – who played Ray Bronson – and a cast of newcomers including Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Madelyn Cline.
Released in October 1997, I Know What You Did Last Summer follows four teenagers who accidentally hit and kill a fisherman with their car.
Instead of calling for help, they decide to dispose of the body and vow never to speak of the act again.
A year later, the group is pursued by a mysterious killer with a hook who claims to have witnessed the crime they thought they got away with.
Together 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 when Hewitt and Prinze Jr. returned. It premiered in theaters in November 1998.
It was panned by audiences and critics alike, with many calling it ‘boring’ and ‘predictable’.
At the time of Gellar’s interview, it was unknown whether or not Hewitt had signed on to appear in the upcoming sequel. But Hewitt confirmed her return to the franchise with an Instagram post on Friday
Hours later, Gellar explained on Instagram Story 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 as it earned $125 million at the worldwide box office on a reported budget that ranged 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. confirmed he is returning.
His wife and former I Know What You Did Last Summer co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar joined him on the shoot, but she is not part of the sequel’s cast as 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 reminisced about playing her I Know What You Did Last Summer character Julie James.
Released in October 1997, I Know What You Did Last Summer follows four teenagers who accidentally hit and kill a fisherman with their car. Instead of calling for help, they decide to throw away the body and vow never to talk about that terrible night again. A year later, the group is pursued by a mysterious killer with a hook who claims to have witnessed the crime they thought they had gotten away with.
Earlier this year, Hewitt reminisced about playing 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, she hinted at a possible return and revealed that she was in talks to produce the sequel.
At the time, she had not yet officially signed on for the film.
“I will say it’s really an honor to even be invited back at the age of 45. To think about 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.