Sarah Michelle Gellar Provides Update On The Return Of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”

Earlier this week it was revealed that 20th Television and Searchlight TV was developing a pilot for a reboot/revival of the popular series, “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” for Hulu and Disney+.

The franchise chronicles the adventures of Buffy Summers, a teenage girl who is gifted with the strength and skill to hunt vampires.   “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” debuted in 1992 with a film starring Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, and Luke Perry. It returned in 1997 with a TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alyson Hannigan, which ran for seven seasons.

The new series will continue the story, with Sarah Michelle Gellar expected to return as the Vampire hunter. However, the new series will primarily follow a new slayer.  This new follow-on series will be directed by Chloé Zhao, who previously directed the Oscar-winning “Nomadland” and the Marvel film “Eternals.” Chloé has a first-look deal with Searchlight. The pilot will be written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, who previously worked on “Poker Face.”

After this news went public, Sarah Michelle Gellar took to social media to provide an update on the project and clarify some details on the reboot.

So….. you might have heard some news this week, but I realize you haven’t heard from me.

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 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. We’d always been aligned on that, but this time I heard something different in her voice. 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.

While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation. These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea.

I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit “Buffy” and her world, 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.

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.

The new series will be executive produced by Gellar, Zhao, Nora, and Lilla Zuckerman, in addition to the original series’ executive producers, Gail Berman of the Jackal Group and Fran Kuzui & Kaz Kuzui via Suite B. Dolly Parton, whose company Sandollar produced the original, will also executive produce the pilot.

As with any show currently in pre-production, it could still be a while before we see a revival of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” on our screens.   Should the pilot get the go-ahead from Hulu, we will likely see it stream on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ in the United States and on Disney+ internationally.  

The “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” series is available to stream on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ in the United States and on Disney+ internationally, along with the original film.

Roger’s Take: I think it’s a smart move for Sarah to come out publicly and provide an update on the development of a continuation of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, especially as it’s still in the early stages and plans could change.

Are you looking forward to watching a reboot of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”?  Let me know on social media!