Washington [US], April 23 (ANI): Sony Pictures has unveiled the suspense-filled first trailer for the upcoming sequel to 'I Know What You Did Last Summer', reviving the fan-favourite horror franchise with a blend of fresh faces and original cast members.

The film is set to hit theatres on July 18.

Unveiled on official social media handles, following an early sneak peek at CinemaCon last month, the trailer reintroduces the eerie coastal town of Southport, the backdrop for the franchise's infamous murders, and teases new secrets, old grudges, and a chilling sense of deja vu.

The sequel is directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Lansky, based on a draft by Leah McKendrick, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Returning from the original creative team is Neal Moritz, producer of the 1997 cult hit.

This latest instalment stars Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Hauer-King, and Chase Sui Wonders, alongside legacy stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr, reprising their roles from the original film and its 1998 follow-up, 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.'

The new storyline centres on a group of five friends who make a pact to remain silent after a devastating car accident.

But their shared secret begins to unravel when their paths cross with two survivors of the original Southport Massacre, hinting at a sinister pattern of violence in the quiet seaside town.

'This isn't the first time there's been violence like this in Southport,' warns Prinze Jr's character in the trailer, suggesting the town's deadly history is far from buried.

In another moment, Hewitt's character offers a cryptic challenge, 'I just have one question... What did you do last summer?'

The original 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' debuted in 1997, based on the novel by Lois Duncan and penned by Scream writer Kevin Williamson.

It followed a group of teens being hunted by a mysterious killer with a hook, after they attempted to conceal a fatal accident.

The franchise quickly gained a cult following, blending teen drama with slasher thrills.

Though not officially attached to the new project, singer and actress Brandy, who co-starred in the first two films, expressed interest in returning.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter last year, she said, 'I need them to give me a call because I survived in that movie! I came out in the end, bloodied up, ready to go.' (ANI)