The Fisherman Returns: Everything We Know About The 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Film Series And The 2025 Legacy Sequel

The iconic slasher franchise *I Know What You Did Last Summer* is officially back, and the news is as fresh as the blood on a hook. As of December 2025, the highly anticipated legacy sequel, simply titled *I Know What You Did Last Summer* (2025), is not just confirmed—it has a set theatrical release date and two major original cast members returning. This new installment is set to be the fourth film in the series, ignoring the 2006 direct-to-video sequel and the 2021 Amazon Prime Video series, positioning itself as a direct continuation of the classic 1990s horror saga. The upcoming 2025 movie is generating massive buzz, promising to bridge the gap between the original teen-scream era and modern horror, all while bringing back the terrifying figure of The Fisherman. With production updates and cast confirmations rolling in throughout late 2024, the secret of what happened last summer is about to be unearthed once again, bringing original stars back into the fold to confront their past.

The Ultimate Guide to the 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Franchise Timeline

The *I Know What You Did Last Summer* media franchise, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, spans three feature films, one direct-to-video sequel, and a television series. The original story is based on the 1973 novel of the same name by author Lois Duncan, though the film adaptations take a significantly more violent, slasher-focused approach.

I. The Original Slasher Trilogy (1997-2006)

The core of the franchise is the initial film series that defined the late-90s slasher revival, often grouped with *Scream* as a pivotal moment in horror cinema.

• I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997): The film that started it all. Directed by Jim Gillespie and written by Kevin Williamson, this movie introduced a star-studded cast of 90s idols: Jennifer Love Hewitt (as Julie James), Sarah Michelle Gellar (as Helen Shivers), Freddie Prinze Jr. (as Ray Bronson), and Ryan Phillippe (as Barry William Cox). The plot centers on four friends who accidentally hit and kill a man, Ben Willis, on a coastal road, dumping his body in the ocean and swearing a pact of silence. One year later, they are stalked by a hook-wielding killer known as The Fisherman.
• I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998): A direct sequel that picks up a year later. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. return as Julie James and Ray Bronson, respectively. The setting shifts to a tropical resort in the Bahamas after Julie and her new friends win a trip, only to discover The Fisherman has followed them. Muse Watson also reprises his role as Ben Willis. The film was directed by Danny Cannon.
• I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006): This installment is a standalone, direct-to-video sequel that does not feature any of the original main cast. The story follows a new group of teenagers in Colorado who stage a Fourth of July prank by faking the return of The Fisherman. They soon find themselves hunted by the real killer. This film is largely considered non-canonical to the storyline of the first two movies and the upcoming sequel.

II. The Amazon Prime Video Series (2021)

In an attempt to reboot the concept for a new generation, Amazon Prime Video released a television series adaptation in 2021. The series was developed by Sara Goodman and loosely based on the original novel. It followed a new group of teenagers in a town full of secrets who are stalked by a killer after a fatal car accident on their graduation night. The show was cancelled after one season.

III. The Legacy Sequel (2025) - The Latest Update

The upcoming 2025 film is a legacy sequel, meaning it continues the story of the original characters while introducing a new generation. It is the fourth installment in the core film continuity.

The 2025 Sequel: Release Date, Returning Cast, and New Secrets

The biggest news in the horror world is the official confirmation and production updates for the new *I Know What You Did Last Summer* movie. This film is being positioned as a return to form for the franchise, directly following the events of the first two films.

A Return to the '90s Horror Roots

The new sequel is being directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for her work on *Do Revenge* and *Someone Great*. The project, which was initially announced in February 2023, gained significant momentum throughout 2024. Producer Neal Moritz, who worked on the original 1997 film, is also returning to oversee the project, ensuring a connection to the franchise's cinematic past. Sony Pictures is handling the theatrical release.

The Original Stars Are Back

The most exciting development is the return of the franchise's two main stars: Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr.

• Jennifer Love Hewitt (Julie James): Hewitt’s return as the tormented survivor Julie James was confirmed in December 2024, though she had been in talks since the film’s announcement. Julie was the central figure in the first two films, and her involvement suggests the new story will heavily rely on the original secret. She even shared a behind-the-scenes look at filming in late 2024.
• Freddie Prinze Jr. (Ray Bronson): Prinze Jr. is also confirmed to reprise his role as Ray Bronson, who was Julie's boyfriend and co-conspirator in the original accident. His character’s return alongside Julie is crucial, as they are the only two characters to survive the events of both the 1997 and 1998 films.

The inclusion of both Hewitt and Prinze Jr. firmly establishes the 2025 film as a legacy sequel, similar to the approach taken by the recent *Scream* and *Halloween* reboots, where original cast members mentor or confront a new generation of victims.

The New Cast and The Fisherman’s Latest Victims

While the original stars are returning, the 2025 sequel will introduce a fresh group of young actors to take on the terrifying legacy of The Fisherman. The film is said to follow a similar premise to the first movie: a new group of friends is bound by a dark secret and must confront the killer.

Key New Entities and Characters

The new cast members, who began joining the project throughout 2024, represent the next generation of potential victims.

• Madelyn Cline: Known for her role in *Outer Banks*, Cline plays Danica Richards, one of the main characters in the new group.
• Chase Sui Wonders: Wonders, who appeared in *Bodies Bodies Bodies*, is cast as Ava Brucks.
• Other new cast members include names like Froy Gutierrez, although specific character details remain under wraps to preserve the film’s secrets.

The dynamic is expected to involve the new group of friends somehow getting in touch with Julie James and Ray Bronson, forcing the original survivors to deal with their past trauma and the resurgence of the hook-wielding killer, Muse Watson's Ben Willis.

Anticipated Release and Production Details

Filming for the new sequel took place between October 2024 and an undisclosed time, indicating that the movie is well into post-production. The quick turnaround suggests a commitment to delivering a classic slasher experience. The official theatrical release date for the new *I Know What You Did Last Summer* film is July 18, 2025. This summer release date is a nod to the original film's setting and its status as a summer horror blockbuster. Fans of the original 1997 cult classic and the 1998 sequel are eagerly awaiting the first trailer, which will offer a glimpse of Julie and Ray's return and the new victims who will discover that some secrets never stay buried. The legacy of Lois Duncan's novel continues to inspire fear, proving that The Fisherman will always know.