Buffy Revival Axe Falls, Leaving Fans and Cast Disappointed
The highly anticipated revival of the beloved 90s cult classic, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has been officially shelved, sending shockwaves through its dedicated fanbase and leaving key figures involved expressing their dismay and confusion. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was set to reprise her iconic role as the stake-wielding protector of Sunnydale, has openly shared her feelings about the project’s abrupt end.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
The revival, tentatively titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, was spearheaded by acclaimed director Chloé Zhao, who was also serving as an executive producer alongside Gellar. The project aimed to introduce a new generation to the world of Sunnydale, with Gellar returning as the seasoned slayer and Ryan Kiera Armstrong stepping into the role of a new, younger slayer.
Gellar recently revealed the timing of the cancellation call, which came last Friday. She was on the cusp of promoting Ready or Not 2 at the SXSW festival, while Zhao was preparing to attend the Oscars over the weekend. This simultaneous timing underscored the high stakes and public nature of the project’s development.
The 48-year-old actress has pointed fingers at a specific executive at Disney, whom she chose not to name, as the individual responsible for killing the project. Reports from Deadline, citing multiple sources, have identified Craig Erwich as the executive in question.
Speaking to People, Gellar expressed her frustration. “We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him,” she stated. “That’s very hard when you’re taking a property that is as beloved as Buffy, not just to the world, but to me and Chloé. So that tells you the uphill battle that we had been fighting since day one, when your executive is literally proud to tell you that he didn’t watch it.”
Gellar emphasised the deep connection fans have with the franchise. “But the fans, they were the only reason we were doing this show in the first place. We were doing it because everybody loves it. So how do you do a show that’s beloved with someone that doesn’t love it?”
When questioned about the possibility of the revival finding a new home at a different studio, Gellar remained tight-lipped, suggesting it was too early to speculate.
Meanwhile, Chloé Zhao, who had been a vocal advocate for the revival, addressed the news with grace while walking the Oscars red carpet, dressed in a sombre all-black ensemble. Zhao conveyed that she was “not surprised” by the decision, which originated from the streaming service Hulu.
“I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah [Michelle Gellar], with all the cast and crew doing this. And we, first and foremost, see ourselves as the guardians of the original show,” Zhao told Variety. “Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans. Things happen for a reason and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery. And what this might lead us to.”
Zhao’s response to whether the reboot could still be resurrected elsewhere was characteristically enigmatic: “Welcome the mystery.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar first broke the news of the cancellation to her followers on Instagram, after a pilot episode had already been filmed and directed by Zhao. In her post, she offered a reassuring message to fans: “If the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”
The young actress cast as the new slayer, 16-year-old Ryan Kiera Armstrong, also took to Instagram to share her feelings. She posted a snapshot of her character, captioned, “Your slayer.”
Armstrong further elaborated on the news in a video shared on her Instagram Story. “I’m really proud of what we did. I’m sad that you guys won’t be able to see it, but it doesn’t take away from the amazing experience that I had,” she told her followers. “I also want to say thank you to all of the fans and all of the people that believed in this new chapter and that believed in me. We brought this back for you guys and Buffy is such a big part of all of our lives, and it’s not going anywhere. So who knows what the future will hold.”
Despite the setback, speculation had previously suggested that the Buffy reboot pilot was “not perfect,” with some questioning Zhao’s suitability for the project. Deadline had also reported that internal discussions were taking place last week regarding potential reworkings of the pilot. The industry publication indicated that Hulu “remains high on the Buffy IP and plans to regroup and mull a possible new incarnation of the beloved franchise.”
