I Know What You Did Last Summer (franchise) explained

I Know What You Did Last Summer
Caption:Official franchise logo
Years:1997–present
Creator:Lois Duncan
Origin:I Know What You Did Last Summer (1973)
Owner:Sony Pictures Entertainment

I Know What You Did Last Summer is an American horror film franchise consisting of three slasher films and one television series, loosely based on the novel of the same name by Lois Duncan. The first installment was written by Kevin Williamson, directed by Jim Gillespie, and released in 1997.

The first two installments star Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Muse Watson. Co-starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, in addition, the supporting cast includes: Johnny Galecki in the first film, with Brandy, Mekhi Phifer and Matthew Settle in the second film.

Novel

See main article: I Know What You Did Last Summer (novel). In 1973, Lois Duncan's I Know What You Did Last Summer was published. It was republished as a tie-in to the film in 1997 and once again in 2018 with some of its content modernized. The film adaptation reenvisioned the story of the novel as a violent slasher film, as opposed to the slow-burn mystery nature of the novel.

Films

FilmsU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)
I Know What You Did Last SummerJim GillespieErik Feig, Neal H. Moritz and Stokely Chaffin
I Still Know What You Did Last SummerDanny CannonTrey CallawayErik Feig, Neal H. Moritz, Stokely Chaffin, Jose Ludlow and William S. Beasley
I'll Always Know What You Did Last SummerSylvain WhiteMichael D. WeissErik Feig and Neal H. Moritz
Untitled fourth filmJennifer Kaytin RobinsonJennifer Kaytin Robinson & Sam Lansky
and Leah McKendrick
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson & Leah McKendrickNeal H. Moritz

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

See main article: I Know What You Did Last Summer. After an accident on a winding road, four teens make the fatal mistake of dumping their victim's body into the sea. But exactly one year later, a mysterious fisherman begins stalking the friends.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

See main article: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. The murderous fisherman with a hook stalks the two surviving teens, Julie James and Ray Bronson who left him for dead. Despite Julie's warnings, her friends do not believe her until it is too late, and the fisherman begins a second murder spree at a posh island resort in the Bahamas.

I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)

See main article: I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer. A group of teenagers in Colorado find themselves being stalked and killed one by one by a mysterious figure with a hook, exactly one year after they covered up a friend's accidental death.

Untitled fourth film (2025)

In September 2014, Sony Pictures revealed plans to remake the film, with Mike Flanagan and Jeff Howard writing the script. The film was a high priority and was initially set for release in 2016. The project required an estimated budget of $15–20 million.[1] [2] Flanagan confirmed that his new iteration of the franchise would be a reboot and not include elements of the 1973 novel nor of the 1997 feature film.[3] The project was ultimately never made and was subsequently canceled.[4]

In February 2023, after years of remaining in development hell, a legacy sequel was announced to be in development with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. in negotiations to reprise their respective roles. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson will direct the film from a script written by Leah McKendrick, based on an original story co-written by Robinson and McKendrick; while Neal H. Moritz will serve as producer. The plot is said to be similar in approach to Scream (2022), in which characters from the original film are included in a story featuring a younger cast.[5] Later in March, however, Prinze Jr. stated that he had not yet signed on to reprise his co-starring role.[6] [7] [8] In December, Hewitt stated that she will definitely reprise her lead role.[9] [10]

In March 2024, McKendrick revealed that the influence of social media will factor into the film's plot.[11] In May, the untitled film was officially slated for a July 18, 2025, release date. Under Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's direction, from a script co-written by Kaytin Robinson and Sam Lansky, from a previous draft by Leah McKendrick, and based on the original story co-authored by Kaytin Robinson and McKendrick; Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. are in negotiations to reprise their starring roles, while an ensemble cast will factor into the plot. The project will be a joint-venture production between Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and Original Film; while Columbia Pictures will handle distribution.[12]

In July 2024, Camila Mendes, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers and Jonah Hauer-King were cast to star in the film.[13] A week later, it was confirmed that the film would continue the story from the second film.[14]

Television

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021)

See main article: I Know What You Did Last Summer (TV series). Amazon Studios acquired the rights in July 2019 to develop a television series adaptation with Neal H. Moritz and James Wan producing.[15] [16] Craig Macneill directed the pilot episode, written by Sara Goodman.[17] Madison Iseman, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, Ashley Moore, Sebastian Amoruso, Fiona Rene, Cassie Beck, Brooke Bloom, and Bill Heck star in the series.[18] It was released on October 15, 2021.

Principal cast

CharactersFilmsTelevision series
I Know What You Did Last SummerI Still Know What You Did Last SummerI'll Always Know What You Did Last SummerUntitled fourth filmI Know What You Did Last Summer
Ben Willis
Don Shanks
Julie JamesJennifer Love Hewitt 
Ray BronsonFreddie Prinze Jr. 
Helen ShiversSarah Michelle Gellar 
Barry CoxRyan Phillippe 
Karla Wilson  
Tyrell Martin Mekhi Phifer 
Will Benson Matthew Settle 
Amber Williams Brooke Nevin 
Colby Patterson David Paetkau 
Zoe Warner Torrey DeVitto 
Lance Jones Ben Easter 
Camila Mendes
Madelyn Cline
Sarah Pidgeon
Tyriq Withers
Jonah Hauer-King
Lennon Grant / Alison Grant Madison Iseman
Margot Gilbert Brianne Tju
Dylan Skanlon Ezekiel Goodman
Riley Thacker Ashley Moore
Johnny Lahela Sebastian Amoruso
Oficial Lyla Kalei Fiona Rene
Courtney Cassie Beck
Clara Brooke Bloom
Bruce Grant Bill Heck

Additional crew and production details

FilmCrew/Detail
Composer(s)Cinematographer(s)Editor(s)Production
companies
Distributing
companies
Running time
I Know What You Did Last SummerJohn DebneyDenis CrossanSteve MirkovichMandalay EntertainmentColumbia Pictures1 hr 41 mins
I Still Know What You Did Last SummerJohn FrizzellVernon LaytonPeck Prior
I'll Always Know What You Did Last SummerJustin BurnettStephen M. KatzDavid ChecelMandalay Entertainment,
Original Film,
Destination Films
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment1 hr 32 mins
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Drum & Lace,
and Ian Hultquist
Anka Malatynska & Shawn MauerRay Daniels, Trevor Baker, Jo Francis, Monica Daniel, Marc Pollon, and Christopher M. MeagherMandalay Television,
Original Film,
Destination Films,
Sony Pictures Television Studios,
Atomic Monster,
Amazon Studios,
Off Center Inc.
Sony Pictures Television,
Amazon Prime Video
6 hrs 20 mins

Reception

Box office performance

FilmBox office grossBudgetReference
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwide
I Know What You Did Last Summer$72,586,134$53,000,000$125,586,134$17 million[19] [20]
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer$40,002,112$44,000,000$84,002,112$24 million[21] [22]
Total$112,588,246$97,000,000$209,588,246$41,000,000

Critical and public response

TitleRotten TomatoesMetacriticCinemaScore[23]
I Know What You Did Last Summer 45% (77 reviews)[24] 52 (17 reviews)[25] B-
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer7% (57 reviews)[26] 21 (19 reviews)[27] B
I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer0% (6 reviews)[28]
I Know What You Did Last Summer 41% (46 reviews)[29] 45 (4 reviews)[30]

Music

TitleU.S. release dateLengthPerformed byLabel
I Know What You Did Last Summer: The AlbumOctober 7, 199753:40Various ArtistsColumbia Records
I Know What You Did Last Summer: Original Motion Picture ScoreOctober 7, 199750:44John DebneySuper Tracks
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer: Music from the Motion PictureNovember 17, 199850:57Various Artists143 Records and
Warner Bros. Records
I Know What You Did Last Summer: Music from the Amazon SeriesOctober 15, 202156:44Drum, Lace & Ian HultquistMadison Gate Records

Novelization

In 1998, a paperback release of the screenplay for I Still Know What You Did Last Summer was published by Pocket Books.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'... and It Was a Remake. Miska. Brad. Bloody Disgusting. September 15, 2014. September 15, 2014.
  2. Web site: [Interview] 'Hush' Director Mike Flanagan and Actress Kate Siegel On Their New Thriller!]. Thurman. Trace. Bloody Disgusting. April 7, 2016. April 7, 2016.
  3. Web site: What's Going On With the 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Remake?. Squires. John. Bloody Disgusting. June 26, 2017. June 26, 2017.
  4. Web site: Writer Jeffrey Howard Revisits His and Mike Flanagan's 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' [Phantom Limbs]]. Jenkins. Jason. Bloody Disgusting. January 15, 2021. January 15, 2021.
  5. Web site: Kroll . Justin . February 6, 2023 . 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Sequel In Works At Sony With Jennifer Kaytin Robinson Directing; Jennifer Love Hewitt And Freddie Prinze Jr. In Talks To Return . February 6, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  6. Web site: March 13, 2023 . Squires . John . 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' – Freddie Prinze Jr. Updates on His Involvement in New Sequel . March 13, 2023 . Bloody Disgusting.
  7. Web site: March 21, 2023 . Perry . Spencer . Freddie Prinze Jr Breaks Silence on I Know What You Did Last Summer Sequel Plans (Exclusive) . March 21, 2023 . ComicBook.com.
  8. Web site: July 30, 2024 . Tinoco . Armando . Freddie Prinze Jr. On Returning For 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Reboot: "Both Sides Are Trying To Make It Work" . July 30, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  9. Web site: December 8, 2023 . Squires . John . Jennifer Love Hewitt Says She Would "100%" Return for 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Sequel . December 8, 2023 . Bloody Disgusting.
  10. Web site: March 18, 2023 . Squires . John . 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' – Jennifer Love Hewitt "Can't Confirm But Won't Deny" She's Back for Sequel . March 18, 2023 . Bloody Disgusting.
  11. Web site: March 6, 2024 . Squires . John . 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Writer Teases Upcoming Sequel; A Slasher for the Social Media Age? . March 6, 2024 . Bloody Disgusting.
  12. Web site: Sony Dates 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' For Summer 2025. Deadline Hollywood. Grobar, Matt. May 16, 2024. May 16, 2024.
  13. Web site: Gajewski . Ryan . Kit . Borys . July 22, 2024 . 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Reboot to Star Camila Mendes, Madelyn Cline (Exclusive) . July 22, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  14. Web site: Gajewski . Ryan . July 31, 2024 . Brandy Wasn't Aware of 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Reboot: "I Need Them to Give Me a Call" . July 31, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  15. News: James Wan Directing 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Pilot for Amazon!. N'Duka. Amanda. July 26, 2019. Bloody Disgusting. en. July 27, 2019. July 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190727030009/https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3575407/james-wan-directing-know-last-summer-pilot-amazon/. live.
  16. News: Amazon Orders Up "I Know What You Did Last Summer" Television Series from Producer James Wan!. Squires. John. October 14, 2020. Bloody Disgusting. en. October 15, 2020. October 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201015135744/https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3636776/amazon-orders-know-last-summer-television-series-producer-james-wan/. live.
  17. News: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Series at Amazon Taps Craig Macneill to Direct Pilot (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Otterson. Joe. December 9, 2020. December 9, 2020.
  18. Web site: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer': Madison Iseman Among Nine Cast In Amazon's YA Horror Series. January 11, 2021. Nellie. Andreeva. Deadline Hollywood. January 12, 2021.
  19. 0119345. I Know What You Did Last Summer. Box Office Mojo. December 17, 2023.
  20. I-Know-What-You-Did-Last-Summer. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) - Financial Information. The Numbers. December 17, 2023.
  21. 0130018. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Box Office Mojo. December 17, 2023.
  22. I-Still-Know-What-You-Did-Last-Summer. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) - Financial Information. The Numbers. December 17, 2023.
  23. Web site: CinemaScore . . April 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/ . April 13, 2022 . live.
  24. Web site: I Know What You Did Last Summer. Rotten Tomatoes. 2023-12-16. January 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200104120034/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_know_what_you_did_last_summer. live.
  25. Web site: I Know What You Did Last Summer. Metacritic. 2018-03-27. November 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181107130013/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer. live.
  26. Web site: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Rotten Tomatoes. 2018-03-27. November 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171129072339/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_still_know_what_you_did_last_summer/. live.
  27. Web site: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Metacritic. 2018-03-27. April 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180424045216/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/i-still-know-what-you-did-last-summer. live.
  28. Web site: I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer. Rotten Tomatoes. 2018-03-28. December 3, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171203163226/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ill_always_know_what_you_did_last_summer/. live.
  29. i_know_what_you_did_last_summer. I Know What You Did Last Summer. tv. 1. December 16, 2023.
  30. i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-2021. I Know What You Did Last Summer. tv. 1. October 14, 2021.