"BUFFYS DEAD" — Internet reacts to Sarah Michelle Gellar saying she won’t return to I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot

Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar confirmed in a recent interview that she will not be returning for the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot. The original 1997 version is a slasher film following a group of four teenagers who are chased by a hook-wielding killer a year after they covered up a car accident where they presumably killed someone.

In an interview with the PEOPLE magazine, Gellar was asked whether she would reprise her role as Helen Shivers in the upcoming reboot. The actress said:

"I am dead. My best friend [Jennifer Kaytin Robinson] is directing it, so we joke that I have an unofficial job, which is I am continuity. So I’m always the one telling her, ‘Well, that would happen, or that wouldn’t happen with those characters,’ so I do have kind of an unofficial job title.”

Gellar was referring to the tragic fate of her character Helen Shivers in the original 1997 version, as she is murdered by the killer in the film. Apart from Gellar, the original film starred an ensemble cast comprising Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Johnny Galecki, Ryan Phillippe and Bridgette Wilson.

Fans took to X to react to Sarah Michelle Gellar's statements, with many praising her for her witty response. One user shared a reference to another one of Gellar's iconic character, Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and wrote:

"BUFFYS DEAD-"

"Sarah Michelle Gellar shutting down rumors of her return to the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel with "I am dead" is the most iconic response possible. Even from the grave, she’s still stealing the spotlight. Classic Buffy energy!," a user agreed.

"I wish Helen Shivers couldve survived, but it’s kinda silly to expect her to return," another user added.

"I don’t know why so many people are shocked about this announcement! This isn’t Star Wars. There are no force ghosts in this universe yet," a fan opined.

Despite Gellar's confirmation, many fans shared they would miss her character in the reboot version.

"Will definitely miss her in this movie 🤧," a netizen commented.

"LMFAO, I love her response but I'd still have loved to see her (in another role)," an individual chimed in.

"Yoooo why did I forget she died lmaooo," a person joked.

Although Sarah Michelle Gellar will not appear in the I Know What You Did Summer reboot, Freddie Prinze Jr. is set to reprise his role as Ray Bronson in the film.

The cast will also include Chase Sui Wonders, Tyriq Withers, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, and Jonah Haur-King. The reboot version is expected to release in July 2025.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar expresses her desire to replace late actor Shannen Doherty in a Mallrats sequel

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024 - Source: Getty

Earlier this month, Sarah Michelle Gellar expressed interest in replacing fellow actor and friend Shannen Doherty in a potential sequel of the 1995 comedy film, Mallrats. Doherty, who originally starred as Rene Mosier in the film, passed away due to breast cancer in July 2024.

The original Mallrats follows two best friends going to the mall to distract themselves after their girlfriends leave them on the same day. The duo eventually get involved in some problematic activities, and decide to win their girlfriends back.

Plans for a sequel has been on the cards for a while, with it reportedly being in development since 2020. The director of Mallrats, Kevin Smith, shared in an interview with THR that he would love to make the sequel with Sarah Michelle Gellar stepping in the shoes of Doherty's character. He said:

“I would ask Sarah to step in for Shannen if there’s a possibility that we get to make Twilight of the Mallrats."

Smith confirmed that Doherty was originally intended to reprise her role in the film, but he would still like to make the sequel as a tribute to the late actress. Speaking more about Gellar being a replacement, he added:

“I think that’d be personally meaningful for her on some level because of her relationship with Shannen. She’d bring Shannen’s warmth with her, and it’s maybe the next best thing to having Shannen there.”

For context, Gellar and Doharty were close friends for years. Sarah Michelle Gellar was on board for the idea, as she took to Instagram to comment on the article, writing:

“Here for this idea!!”

Gellar's comment on THR's article post (Image via Instagram/@hollywoodreporter)

Gellar is known for playing multiple iconic characters throughout her career. She rose to prominence after playing the character of Kendall Hart in the ABC soap opera All My Children. The actress won a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance.

However, Sarah Michelle Gellar is best known for portraying the iconic character of Buffy Summers in the WB series Buffy The Vampire Slayer between 1997 and 2003.