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 response when asked about Hewitt’s potential 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 wore a tight expression and said to Extra: ‘I have nothing to do with that,’ before abruptly ending the interview by smiling and walking off.
She and Hewitt — as well as Gellar’s husband Freddie Prinze Jr. — famously starred together in the 1997 horror flick.
Prinze Jr. signed on for the sequel — which is set for a July 2025 release and is currently shooting 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 red carpet answer.
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 response when asked about Hewitt’s potential 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 the 1997 horror film
Taking to her Instagram Story, the Buffy star — who will not appear in the horror sequel — explained that she has secretly known about Hewitt’s involvement but couldn’t share due to the NDA she signed.
Her awkward interaction with the red carpet reporter was born out of 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 are excited to see so many old friends in one project but have already stupidly forgotten what NDA means once this month,’ penned Gellar.
She wrote the text over top a photo taken of a director’s chair on 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 returning,’ captioned Hewitt, 45, who included a haunting photo of herself on set.
The image captured Hewitt staring into a dirty mirror covered in sticky notes left by the film’s ruthless killer.
Alluding to the highly-anticipated sequel’s July 18, 2025 release date, Hewitt concluded her caption with: ‘I know what you will be doing next summer!’
She wore a tight expression and said to Extra : ‘I have nothing to do with that,’ before abruptly ending the interview by smiling and walking off
Fans flocked to social media in wake of Gellar’s interview to speculate on her relationship with Hewitt
She will share the screen again with fellow original star Prinze Jr. — who played Ray Bronson — and a cast of newcomers that includes Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Madelyn Cline.
I Know What You Did Last Summer, which was released in October 1997, follows four teens who accidentally hit and kill a fisherman with their car.
Instead of calling for help, they decide to dispose of the body and vow to never speak of the deed again.
One year later, the group begin being stalked by a mystery killer with a hook who claims to have witnessed the crime they thought they’d gotten 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 massive success as it raked in over $125million at the worldwide box office on a modest $17million budget.
A sequel, titled I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, was quickly green lit with Hewitt and Prinze Jr. returning. It premiered in theaters 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 whether or not Hewitt had signed on to appear in the upcoming sequel. But Hewitt confirmed her return to the franchise on Friday with an Instagram post
Hours later, Gellar took to Instagram Story to explain that her awkward red carpet behavior was the 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 made a profit as it earned $125million at the global box office on a reported budget that ranged from $25million to $65million.
A poorly received third installment, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, was released straight-to-video in 2006. Neither Prinze Jr. or Hewitt returned for the film.
Last year, it was announced that another I Know What You Did Last Summer film 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 the subsequent sequels and start a new timeline,’ as per ScreenRant.
Production commenced last month in Sydney, , with Prinze Jr. confirmed to return.
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 because her character was murdered in the original movie.
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.
I Know What You Did Last Summer, which was released in October 1997, follows four teens who accidentally hit and kill a fisherman with their car. Instead of calling for help, they decide to dispose of the body and vow to never speak of that terrible night again. One year later, the group begin being pursued by a mystery killer with a hook who claims to have witnessed the crime they thought they’d 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’s a very special person to me because that movie changed my career. She changed my belief in myself,’ she told Variety of the role.
In the same interview, she hinted at a potential return and revealed that she was in talks with the sequel’s production.
At the time, she had not officially signed on for the film.
‘I will say it is truly such an honor, at 45, to even be invited back. To be thought of in that way, to not just move on to the newer, better, younger versions, but [to be offered] to come back and play that part is really cool,’ Hewitt said at the time.