North Carolina: Author Jenny Han and Prime Video have appealed to fans to stop sharing filming locations and visiting the set of The Summer I Turned Pretty movie, citing disruptions to production and safety concerns for the cast and crew.
The request comes after several behind-the-scenes videos and images began circulating online, drawing crowds of fans to the filming site in North Carolina. The increased on-ground presence has reportedly affected the shooting schedule and the working environment.
In a statement shared on May 5 via the show's official social media account, the team acknowledged the enthusiasm of fans but urged restraint.
'We love the excitement, but sharing locations and visiting set disrupts filming and creates real safety concerns for our cast and crew,' the statement read.
The post was accompanied by a visual message reading 'privacy please' written in the sand, reinforcing the need for space during production. The makers emphasised that maintaining a controlled environment is essential to deliver the best possible film.
'We're working hard to create a protected bubble to make the best movie possible. Please help us protect the magic of Cousins until it's ready to be shared,' the statement added.
Jenny Han also addressed the issue directly through her Instagram Stories, explaining how frequent interruptions are affecting the filmmaking process.
'When people come to set, film, and share videos, it disrupts the work. It makes it harder for actors to get into character and causes unnecessary anxiety,' she wrote.
She further revealed that production has occasionally been halted to manage crowds, which affects the focus and efficiency of the crew.
'We often have to stop production to clear crowds from the shot, which breaks the crew's focus,' Han added.
Appealing to fans' emotional connection with the story, she said, 'This story means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to you too. I want to give you the best version of this movie. Please help protect our process.'
The issue escalated after fans began gathering at the filming location where key cast members, including Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Rain Spencer and Sean Kaufman, were spotted shooting scenes.
While fan enthusiasm is common for popular franchises, the scale of visits and online sharing has raised logistical and safety challenges for the production team.
This is not the first time the franchise has addressed fan behaviour. Ahead of the show's third season last year, Prime Video had issued guidelines urging viewers to maintain respectful conversations online and avoid harassment of the cast.
The current situation highlights the growing challenges faced by film and television productions in the age of social media, where real-time updates and leaks can impact both creative processes and security.
The upcoming The Summer I Turned Pretty movie will serve as the final chapter of Jenny Han's bestselling trilogy. The decision to conclude the story with a film, rather than a third season, was announced last September.
Han had then stated that a feature-length format would better capture the emotional depth and resolution required for the story's conclusion.
The film is expected to continue from the events of the Season 3 finale, where protagonist Belly, played by Lola Tung, chose Conrad, portrayed by Christopher Briney, over Jeremiah, played by Gavin Casalegno. While the ending marked a turning point, several relationships were left unresolved, setting the stage for the film.
Although detailed information about the film remains limited, it is currently expected to release in 2027. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates, given the series' popularity and emotional connect with audiences.
The makers have reiterated that maintaining a distraction-free environment is crucial to ensuring the film meets expectations.
Jenny Han's appeal underscores the delicate balance between fan enthusiasm and the practical demands of filmmaking. While the support of viewers remains invaluable, the creators have urged fans to respect boundaries and allow the team to complete production smoothly. As anticipation builds for the final chapter, the focus now shifts to ensuring a safe and uninterrupted creative process.