Sarah Michelle Gellar Reveals Whether She’ll Do ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Reboot Amid Joss Whedon Scandal
Buffy the Vampire Slayer was one of the best TV shows to come out of The WB Network. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, it followed Buffy Summers, the “Chosen One,” as she battled monsters, demons, vampires, and other creepy beings. The show debuted in 1997 to stellar reviews and continued on for seven seasons before its conclusion in 2003.
Years later, Buffy the Vampire Slayer still has a solid fanbase and great entertainment value. Its continued success has led to plenty of wonder and speculation about a possible revival series, but would Gellar actually return for a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot? Here’s what she said when asked.
‘Buffy the Vampire’ Slayer has faced calls for a reboot for years
In an age where many iconic shows are getting the reboot treatment, lots of fans have wondered when Buffy the Vampire Slayer would get a turn. Creator Joss Whedon told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017 that he wasn’t against a reboot but admitted he was “worried” about being able to meet certain expectations.
“I see a little bit of what I call monkey’s paw in these reboots,” he began. “You bring something back, and even if it’s exactly as good as it was, the experience can’t be. You’ve already experienced it, and part of what was great was going through it for the first time.”
“You have to meet expectations and adjust it for the climate, which is not easy,” he continued. “Luckily most of my actors still look wonderful, but I’m not worried about them being creaky. I’m more worried about me being creaky as a storyteller. You don’t want that feeling that you should have left before the encore.”
By the following year, Whedon had agreed to do a reboot. The release date and cast are not yet known, but one thing is for sure: Gellar won’t be in it.
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s comments on a possible ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ reboot
Appearing on Mario Lopez’s podcast in February 2021, Gellar said she’s not interested in reprising her iconic role. “What worked for Buffy was that the monsters represented, they were a metaphor for the horrors of adolescence,” she said. “I don’t think it’s me, I don’t think I should be the one doing it,” she said, noting she’s “way too tired and cranky to put in that work again.”
Her comments come amid allegations that Whedon allegedly created hostile work environments on Buffy and its spinoff Angel. Speaking on the claims against Whedon, Gellar added, “I am more focused on raising my family and surviving a pandemic currently, so I will not be making any further statements at this time. But I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”
It’s not the first time she’s shot down the possibility of a reboot
Gellar also rejected the idea in a 2019 interview with Us Weekly. She explained at the time that, while she understands why fans want the show to come back, she doesn’t see a point.
“I think that reboots are great to introduce someone to a story that maybe they don’t know, to characters they don’t know,” she said. “I think the amazing thing about Buffy’s legacy is that people are still watching and discovering and it still resonates. The fact that it’s still important to people, it sort of means that it lives on its own.”
“That being said, if you have more story to tell, that’s great. I don’t feel that I do,” Gellar continued.
Oh well. At least, the show has plenty of replay value. Right?
