The summer of 2025 is heating up in more ways than one. Horror fans, buckle up: I Know What You Did Last Summer is slashing its way back onto the big screen, and the buzz around who’s returning—and who’s not—is already making waves. The legacy sequel promises to blend ‘90s nostalgia with brutal, modern horror, and at the center of all the speculation is one name: Brandy.

You remember her—Karla Wilson, the survivor from 1998’s I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. She dodged death, outsmarted the k*ller, and made it out alive. Now fans are dying (pun fully intended) to know: is she making a comeback?

Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson isn’t giving it up so easily.

Brandy Is Game—But the Director Isn’t Spoiling It

Let’s get one thing straight—Brandy wants in. While promoting her 2023 horror flick The Front Room, the 46-year-old singer-actress made it crystal clear: she’d love to return to the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. And who can blame her? Karla Wilson remains one of the few slasher characters from the ’90s who actually made it to the end credits alive.

When asked if Karla will make a surprise appearance in the upcoming sequel, director Robinson teases fans with a coy, “You’ll have to go see the movie.” Classic dodge—or clever marketing? Either way, the suspense is k*lling us.

Video: I Know What You Did Last Summer (10/10) Movie CLIP – I Still Know (1997)

Legacy Stars Confirmed: A K*ller Reunion

While Brandy’s return remains a mystery, two familiar faces are already locked in: Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. are back as Julie and Ray. For long-time fans, it’s a nostalgic gut punch—the final girl and her love interest, now older, wiser, and more haunted than ever.

This time around, they’re not just trying to stay alive. They’re passing the torch to a new generation of characters played by Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Jonah Hauer-King, and Tyriq Withers. And if you think these newbies are getting off easy, think again. The stakes? Higher. The deaths? Bloodier. The k*ller? Smarter.

The Story So Far: Does the 1998 Sequel Still Matter?

Here’s something that will make longtime fans scream (with joy): the events of I Still Know What You Did Last Summer are still canon.

According to Robinson, one of the earliest creative debates was how much weight the 1998 sequel should carry in the new storyline. Spoiler alert: a lot. “What happens in that movie is so, so, so, so crazy,” Robinson explains, that it absolutely deserves to be part of Julie’s emotional baggage.

That’s great news for Karla Wilson truthers. Her survival still counts, her history with Julie is intact—and that leaves the door wide open for her return.

Nods to the Past, But Eyes on the Future

Fans of the original franchise will get plenty of callbacks. Robinson even promises “one really, really fantastic nod to I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” that diehards will love. But don’t expect a nostalgia-fest that forgets to bring the fear. This movie isn’t just a walk down memory lane—it’s a sprint through a brand-new nightmare.

The director’s mantra? “Balls-to-the-wall fun.” Think throwback vibes mixed with full-throttle horror. The k*lls? Meticulously crafted. The scares? Ratcheted up. And unlike the more tame original, this one brings serious gore.

Brutality Meets Brain: A New Breed of Slasher

Remember how the original k*ller just kind of wandered around with a hook and a bad attitude? That’s old news. In this 2025 version, there’s a method to every murder. The k*lls are more calculated, more personal, and way more disturbing.

Robinson says the film turns the horror dial all the way up, with a deeper focus on why the k*ller is doing what they’re doing—and how. It’s not just about jump scares anymore. It’s about suspense, strategy, and psychological torment.

Video: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1/10) Movie CLIP – I Think He’s D*ad (1997)

You Don’t Need a History Lesson to Join the Fun

Never seen the originals? Don’t worry—you’re not lost. Robinson made sure that the new I Know What You Did Last Summer works for first-time viewers too. In her words, the movie is built to stand alone. In fact, newbies might even treat the original like a retro prequel after falling in love with this new chapter.

It’s smart marketing, but it’s also smart storytelling. This reboot/revival hybrid is crafted to hook a whole new generation of horror lovers—without alienating the old-school fans who grew up on Fisherman Jack and beachfront jump scares.

Final Cut: What to Expect in This Brutal, Nostalgic Reboot

If you’re looking for an easy, breezy horror flick? This probably isn’t it. The new I Know What You Did Last Summer goes hard. It’s a wild mix of homage and innovation—anchored by returning favorites, fueled by youthful energy, and wrapped in a fresh coat of blood.

Whether or not Brandy returns (and let’s be honest, the odds are looking pretty good), her character Karla still looms large over the franchise’s lore. And Robinson’s refusal to give a straight answer? That only adds to the hype.

We’re getting legacy trauma, brutal k*lls, sharp writing, and just enough absurdity to keep things fun. July 18 can’t come fast enough.

Conclusion: Slashers Are Back—And Brandy Might Be Too

There’s something special about horror franchises that know how to reinvent themselves without losing their soul. I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025 promises to do exactly that—bridging generations, raising the stakes, and maybe, just maybe, reuniting us with one of the coolest final girls of the ’90s.