In a surprising turn of events that left fans of General Hospital and horror aficionados alike raising eyebrows, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, known for his intense portrayal of Spencer on the long-running soap, has been cut from the latest slasher reboot I Know What You Did Last Summer. What was meant to be a thrilling cross-genre appearance turned into a quiet disappearance from the final film.

Chavez, alongside The Summer I Turned Pretty breakout Lola Tung, was originally cast to make a brief but exciting cameo in the horror flick. The announcement last November stirred buzz among their respective fandoms, fueling anticipation for the actors’ big-screen moment. But that excitement was short-lived. When the film finally hit theaters, sharp-eyed viewers noticed something missing: neither Chavez nor Tung appeared on screen.

The explanation came from the film’s director, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who broke the news with both clarity and regret. Speaking to People, Robinson explained that despite both actors delivering strong performances, the scene simply didn’t survive the rigorous final edit.

“It was one of those situations where it had nothing to do with Lola and Nicholas — they are both so fantastic. I loved working with them and would absolutely do it again,” Robinson shared. “But in the larger tapestry of the film, it just didn’t fit.”

The director elaborated that although the cameo was enjoyable and well-executed, it ultimately disrupted the pacing and rhythm of the narrative. In other words, it was a casualty of storytelling — a reminder that filmmaking is as much about what you leave out as what you include.

“It sucks because you don’t want to do that to those actors,” Robinson admitted. “And it sucks when you love something as a scene but that scene just doesn’t work in the final cut of the film.”

For Chavez, this isn’t the first time fans have felt the sting of absence. General Hospital viewers have long awaited his return to the role of Spencer, especially to see a continuation of his emotional storyline with Trina, played by Tabyana Ali. But those hopes continue to remain just out of reach, as Chavez keeps stacking new roles on his resume.

He recently garnered attention for his part in the Netflix docu-drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which explores the notorious real-life case with emotional intensity and psychological nuance. Chavez’s performance there drew strong praise and served as a further launchpad into bigger, more varied roles.

So while the I Know What You Did Last Summer cameo didn’t pan out, it’s far from a setback in Chavez’s rising career. In fact, the situation has highlighted both the unpredictable nature of Hollywood editing and the ever-growing demand for Chavez’s talents across genres.

It also raises an interesting point about the nature of stardom and the expectations fans place on actors navigating multiple mediums. Chavez, a daytime drama heartthrob, was stepping into horror — a genre shift that promised a new dimension to his acting profile. Viewers were eager to see how he would carry that same emotional gravity into a darker, more suspenseful setting. The cut not only removed a promising performance, but also a symbolic crossover moment for a star in transformation.

Nevertheless, the movie remains a worthwhile watch for horror fans. The cast boasts some of the genre’s most familiar and promising faces, including Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt — reprising their iconic roles — alongside newer stars like Outer Banks’ Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Sarah Pidgeon, Jonah Hauer-King, and Tyriq Withers. The film has been praised for honoring its slasher roots while updating the formula with fresh energy and a slick aesthetic.

As for Chavez and Tung, both actors are handling the omission gracefully. While no formal statement has been released by either actor, Robinson’s praise suggests no ill will — only the shared frustration of a creative decision that sometimes can’t be avoided.

For General Hospital viewers, Chavez’s absence on both the soap and the big screen may feel like a double disappointment. Yet it also hints at something more: his trajectory is moving fast, and he’s playing a long game. Roles in high-profile projects, even when unseen, open doors behind the scenes. And in an industry as volatile as entertainment, visibility isn’t always tied to screen time.

In truth, being cut from a final film edit isn’t the end — it’s often a marker that an actor is in the right rooms, working with the right people, and creating work so strong that it still gets mentioned even when it’s left on the cutting room floor.

So where does this leave fans?

Hoping, perhaps, for a deleted scenes release — or even a director’s cut that lets them glimpse what might have been. But more realistically, they’ll be looking ahead, watching where Nicholas Alexander Chavez turns up next. Because if his recent career moves are any indication, it won’t be long before he lands a role too powerful to cut.

And who knows? Maybe next time, he’ll be the one doing the cutting — emotionally, dramatically, and right at the heart of the next big story.