Sarah Michelle Gellar Changes View On A Buffy Return Amidst Reboot Speculation

Sarah Michelle Gellar has changed her view on returning to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, explaining why her opinion has shifted, as speculation about a reboot continues. Especially over the past decade or so, as reboots and revivals of all sorts have become increasingly common on television, Gellar has maintained a reluctance to visit her most iconic role. The Golden Globe nominee has joked that she might be too old, though she added that she supports the idea of someone else taking up the mantle.

In an interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, while promoting her new series Dexter: Original Sin with co-star Christian Slater, Gellar sounded more open to playing Buffy Summers again. The actor pointed to the success of Dexter as a franchise and revivals like Max's Sex and the City sequel series as reasons why a Buffy reprisal could work. Gellar's full quote is transcribed below:

Gellar: It's funny. I always used to say 'no', like, because, you know, it's in its bubble and so perfect. But watching Sex and the City and seeing Dexter and realizing there are ways to do it definitely does get your mind thinking. Slater: It doesn't have to be a prequel. Gellar: It could be anything. It's a universe and it makes you realize that in this world we need those heroes, I think, more so than ever.

The Project Is Seemingly Stalled

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The official word, at the moment, is that the Buffy reboot is on an indefinite pause. Gail Berman, one of the executive producers of the original series, mentioned this in passing in an interview in 2022. This seemingly put a stake in the heart of the reboot which was first announced back in 2018. Monica Owusu-Breen, a veteran television writer and prouder, was set to serve as showrunner while original series creator Joss Whedon would be involved as an executive producer. He would also work on the script with Owusu-Breen.

No casting or story details were ever confirmed for the project. Following the allegations of abuse surrounding Whedon, the proposed reboot has stalled. Country music legend Dolly Parton has kept hope alive since then and mentioned that there are still efforts to reboot Buffy. Parton's Sandollar Television was one of the production companies behind the original. However, there were no details and no follow-up to Parton's brief remarks.

Related Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Best 60 Seconds From All 7 Seasons Buffy the Vampire Slayer had some brilliant moments, but some 60-second sequences in each season of the show were particularly exciting.

Gellar's comments don't change all that much about a project that has struggled to gain traction. But maybe with the lead actor expressing a public willingness to revisit the show, the wheels will start turning again on a follow-up. It is, if nothing else, a notable change in tone from the popular star.

Our Take On Rebooting Buffy

It Is A Big Universe

As the Buffy comics demonstrate, both positively and otherwise, there is a lot to delve into with the overall universe. Albeit outside of the comics, and a non-canon audiobook sequel, there has been very little movement on a follow-up despite how it's been more than two decades since the series ended and despite the potential for spinoffs and stories focused on different slayers. Maybe, though, Gellar's blessing will get the ball rolling once more.

Source: The Drew Barrymore Show