Sarah Michelle Gellar has reassured fans that a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is officially in development, confirming that she will only proceed if “we can do it right.”
Recent reports revealed that a reboot of the beloved series is in the works at Hulu, with Gellar set to reprise her iconic role as Buffy Summers.
The original show, which premiered in 1997 after a 1992 film adaptation, followed Buffy, a high school student turned vampire slayer, as she battled supernatural forces. Guided by her mentor, Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), Buffy had a close-knit group of allies, including powerful witch Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) and loyal friend Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon). The series, which became a cult classic and queer fan favourite, ran for seven seasons until 2003.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Opens Up About the Reboot
In a lengthy Instagram post, Gellar addressed the status of the project, revealing that discussions about a revival began three years ago.
“So… you might have heard some news this week, but I realise you haven’t heard from me,” she wrote.
She explained that her longtime friend and mentor, Gail Berman, who previously worked as an executive producer on Buffy and its spinoff Angel, first approached her with the idea.
“Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential Buffy revival.”
‘I Didn’t See a Way for the Show to Exist Again’
Chloé Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of Nomadland and a self-professed Buffy fan, has signed on to direct the reboot.
Initially, Gellar was hesitant about revisiting the show.
“I was blown away that Chloé even knew who I was. But, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again,” she admitted.
However, her perspective shifted after meeting with Zhao.
“I eventually agreed to go (mainly just to meet Chloé), and our twenty-minute coffee quickly turned into a four-hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly, we both talked about how much this show means to us.”
‘We Will Only Make This Show If We Can Do It Right’
While Gellar didn’t commit to the reboot during that meeting, it sparked a journey that has since brought together a talented team. Poker Face writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman have also joined the project.
“I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit Buffy and her world,” she shared.
“But it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right. This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.”
Expressing her gratitude to fans, she concluded:
“I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love Buffy as much as I do. And as much as you do. Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you.”
Reports indicate that Gellar will also serve as an executive producer on the reboot.
In the past, the actress had expressed doubts about reviving the series. At one point, she stated: “I’m very proud of the show that we created, and [a reboot] doesn’t need to be done. We wrapped that up.” However, it now appears that she has found a way forward that honours the original while bringing Buffy back to life.
