Costume Designer Reveals New Look for Fisherman in Latest IKWYDLS
The horror franchise “I Know What You Did Last Summer” returns with a fresh installment, showcasing a new look for its iconic slasher villain, the Fisherman. Costume designer Mari-An Ceo discussed the evolution of the Fisherman’s attire, highlighting significant changes from the original 1997 film.
In the new sequel, the Fisherman dons an updated costume that aims to resonate with contemporary audiences while maintaining the essence of the character. “The original one was basically made out of just vinyl, which cinematically looked great in the movie from 1997,” Ceo explained. “But of course, we’ve got to make everything much more intense now with how they shoot, with the new digital cameras and whatnot.”
To achieve this, Ceo and her team experimented with various materials before selecting a wax cotton, which they treated to create a wet appearance. “The fabric we ended up with was a wax cotton, and we painted quite a bit into it to make it look like it was wet,” she stated. The decision to redesign the Fisherman’s costume was not made until later in the production process.
Initially, the team did not plan to change the costume but reconsidered after seeing the original design in action. “Funny enough, we weren’t going to redesign it in the beginning,” Ceo shared. “And then as we were looking at it on the actor, and it’s moving, Jen’s like, ‘I don’t know. Maybe we can do something else?’”
After brainstorming new ideas, the team settled on incorporating a hood into the design, a significant departure from the original’s yellow slicker and hat. “We just kind of landed on the hood, which was funny,” Ceo noted.
The Fisherman’s new look also includes an upgraded ice hook, designed to appear more dangerous while ensuring safety during filming. “It was basically the same hook, but they made it look a little more dangerous,” Ceo explained. “Props and the art department were also incredible on this.”
The film features a talented cast, including Madelyn Cline as Danica Richards, Chase Sui Wonders as Ava Brucks, and Jonah Hauer-King as Milo Griffin, among others. The narrative follows five friends grappling with the consequences of covering up a fatal car accident, a premise that connects the new film to its predecessors.
In addition to its modern elements, Ceo revealed that the costume design includes nods to the original film. “I did watch the original, of course, before doing it,” she stated. “And we did want to do a few throwbacks, like Jennifer Love Hewitt in the original wore these overalls. And so we ended up doing overalls on Sarah Pidgeon in the finale, which is really fun.”
Ceo expressed pride in the costume design and the collaborative effort behind it. “We put a lot of thought and effort into it,” she remarked. “I liked how everybody wore it, and they were all super happy and comfortable in their clothes.”
The new “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is set to engage both old fans and new audiences when it premieres in 2025, promising to deliver a fresh take on a classic horror story while honoring its roots.
