Mike Flanagan's Lost 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Reboot

The unmade I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot, envisioned by iconic horror director Mike Flanagan, would have been a significantly different take on the classic slasher. Flanagan, known for his work on horror films and shows, almost brought his unique vision to this popular horror property.

Director Mike Flanagan, celebrated for blending elements of Stanley Kubrick and Stephen King in works like Doctor Sleep, and with upcoming projects such as new versions of The Exorcist and Carrie, nearly added an I Know What You Did Last Summer remake to his repertoire. Partnering with frequent writing collaborator Jeff Howard, Flanagan's concept diverged sharply from the forthcoming legacy sequel, yet it retained the essence of the original by featuring the ominous Fisherman and potentially bringing back Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The Allure of Rebooting a '90s Slasher

After the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise concluded with a less-than-stellar direct-to-video sequel in 2006, the landscape of horror shifted. Around 2014, Flanagan and Howard received an invitation to pitch their vision for an IKWYDLS remake. This was prior to the resurgence of legacy sequels, exemplified by the success of 2018's Halloween.

Flanagan and Howard weren't interested in a mere nostalgia trip. Instead, they aimed to craft a fresh narrative that honored the spirit of the 1997 slasher classic. Howard revealed that the project truly sparked their interest when they were granted creative freedom. The studio's message was clear: "As long as it thematically fits in with the title and that kind of world, you can just make up whatever you want."

This lack of restrictions fueled their excitement to create a story that captured the fun of the original slasher while avoiding familiar territory. But what elements did they retain from the original?

The Fisherman's Return in Flanagan's Vision

The unmade script centered on a young man grappling with amnesia, unable to recall the events surrounding a young woman's disappearance. Initially imprisoned for her presumed death but later exonerated, he returns to his life only to find himself stalked by the Fisherman.

This wouldn't have been the original killer, but a new figure donning the black slicker and wielding the iconic hook. One gruesome kill concept involved the creative use of LED solar lights. The remake aimed for an entirely new cast, incorporating a true crime element as the story's catalyst. What about the original cast?

Interestingly, Jennifer Love Hewitt was eyed for a role, albeit not as Julie James. She would have played a new character, described by Howard as more than just a cameo. The project reached the stage of a completed script and pitch before ultimately falling apart. The studio requested a change to the script's ending, a twist that Howard and Flanagan were particularly passionate about.

This request to rewrite the darker ending led to the director-writer team losing interest, and the studio followed suit. Back in 2014, Flanagan hadn't yet achieved the widespread recognition he later gained with projects like The Haunting of Hill House. Had he already directed those hits, he might have had more leverage to see his vision for I Know What You Did Last Summer realized.

The Shift to a Legacy Sequel

Between 2013 and 2017, Flanagan and Howard collaborated on projects like Oculus, Before I Wake, Ouija: Origin of Evil, and Gerald’s Game. None of these were slashers. Hush, which Flanagan made with his wife, Kate Siegel, in 2016, came the closest to his take on a slasher film. Would the 2014 IKWYDLS have been as successful without any nostalgia?

In 2017, Flanagan stated that he and Howard were only responsible for the script and were not attached to direct. The franchise was later revived as an Amazon Prime series, with initial talks of James Wan directing episodes. Although those plans didn’t pan out, the Prime series did materialize, mirroring the aspirations of the abandoned 2014 remake.

However, the series deviated further by omitting the iconic Fisherman. Canceled after one season, the IKWYDLS franchise has now embraced the legacy sequel formula, following the success of horror revivals like Halloween. The upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer aims to bring the Fisherman back with a vengeance, proving that sometimes, a touch of nostalgia is exactly what fans want.

While Mike Flanagan's I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot never came to fruition, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a different direction the franchise could have taken, blending fresh ideas with the core elements that made the original so memorable.