By Chris Snellgrove | Published
Recently, Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans got some sad news: Hulu has killed the upcoming reboot of the popular supernatural series. Fan reaction to the news has often been overwhelming, with many sharpening their stakes and wondering who is to blame. Buffy legend Sarah Michelle Gellar helped focus her anger on another unnamed executive, someone who ignored the original show and who allegedly took too much pleasure in killing off the reboot.
However, the news of the cancellation made me let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. The simple truth is that we’ve had tons of bad television revivals in recent years, including X files, You are enchantedagain Star Trek: Picard. BuffyHis canceled reboot means our memories of the nearly perfect TV show will remain untarnished by what looks to be a terrible revival. Plus, the cancellation means fans won’t have to deal with a shocking reality: the reboot wouldn’t be worth it without the involvement of canceled Buffy creator Joss Whedon.
Another one Bites the dust
Last year, the future seemed unreasonably sunny Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Hulu had ordered the pilot to redact his name Buffy: New Sunnydaleand it had some serious talent behind it. This post comes courtesy of Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, best known for writing episodes of Poker facethe biggest female-led series on modern television. The pilot was directed by Best Picture Oscar winner Chloé Zhao. Most importantly, real Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar was returning to reprise her iconic role.
While Hulu ordered some changes to the pilot, everyone involved was confident the show would continue, resulting in a full season order. At the eleventh hour, the broadcaster canceled the show, and Gellar later blamed an unnamed executive for the decision. The chief executive appears to be Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich, the man who oversees the Hulu Originals division. right now, Buffy fans want to contribute to his heart. But I can’t help but feel like Erwich just helped us all dodge a bullet (or maybe it was just the opposite bolt).
Not bringing back the Gang
The first reason I think a Buffy the Vampire Slayer the reboot would fail as Sarah Michelle Gellar was the only original cast member to return for the pilot. That might have changed if the show had been ordered to series, but right now, he was the only connection to the original show. The connection wasn’t too strong either: reportedly, one of the changes Hulu requested for the pilot was giving Sarah Michelle Gellar the role of singer.
As great as Gellar is, the first Buffy it succeeded because it was a collective show, and any real attempt to revive the original series would require renewing most (preferably, all) of the collection. Otherwise, you’re just watching one famous actor on a completely different television show. Ironically, I think it’s the best analog of how bad it is Buffy rebooting can be temporary Frasier revival at Paramount. It brought back Kelsey Grammar, but she was surrounded by new characters, a new setting, a new job, etc. The network learned the hard way that fans want the entire ensemble back, not just the title character.
Personally, I would not want a Buffy reboot that includes almost entirely new characters. It’s really bad for both worlds. There would be a lot of new people that older fans don’t really care about because they want to see more of Xander, Willow, and Giles. Meanwhile, the reboot will dangle Sarah Michelle Gellar in front of us without giving her much in the way of purpose or screenplay.
Hulu Was Right: The Buffy Reboot Was Really Bad
According to a leaked document reviewed by Variety, the Buffy reboot pilot originally had Sarah Michelle Gellar only to get a one-line cameo at the end. After the rewrite, he got more screen time, but his role will annoy fans. You see, Buffy now works for a large insurance company, and has to return to Sunnydale due to the high number of claims. On the other hand, this new work proves that the Killer was able to move on and finally live a normal life. On the other hand, it’s kind of sad to think the woman who saved the world over and over again is just another cubicle drone.
Most of the pilot focuses on new character Nova, the newly named Slayer who has to fight vampires with the help of his Scooby Gang. He lives in Sunnydale, and the modern residents know about the town’s supernatural history. But that knowledge won’t protect anyone because all the vampires Buffy seems to have defeated in the series finale have been revived, and they all come back hungry.
Personally, I think this pilot sounds like a lame rehash of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer the idea. Specifically, it feels like a repeat of Season 7, which teased that Dawn would find her Scoobies before dropping the plot like a hot potato. Speaking of Season 7, this pilot will pick up decades later, but it does so in a very bad way. There seems to be no solid explanation as to why the vampires are back, and no explanation as to where the other Slayers have been since Buffy resurrected them. In this way, the reboot makes all of Buffy’s actions and dedication in her series completely final!
Lost Without Joss
We have found many reasons why Buffy the Vampire Slayer a reboot would have been enough: a huge lack of Buffy, the complete absence of other cast members, and a plot that defies the previous show’s credibility. However, the restart was also lost for a reason that many fans are not ready to admit. That is, the new system was implemented without controversy Buffy creator Joss Whedon. Despite his unique voice, the reboot was doomed from the start.
Whedon is not involved in the reboot because it was canceled, which seems to be for very good reasons. Ray Fisher said Whedon was swearing The Justice League set, and costar Gal Gadot alleges that Whedon threatened her career to comply with his demands. Buffy again Angel The Charisma Carpenter star also claimed that Whedon was harassing her, saying that her pregnancy made her gain weight and awkwardly asking if she planned to keep the baby. His speeches were supported by others Buffy actors who agreed that Whedon created a hostile work environment, including David Boreanaz, Amber Benson, James Marsters, and Eliza Dushku.
To top it all off was a bombshell revelation from the ex-wife of Joss Whedon (Kai Cole) that, despite Whedon being a known womanizer, he had cheated on her with many women, including fans and colleagues in Hollywood. She has dated at least one actress Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Cole’s book came out amid the #MeToo movement, which went a long way toward canceling Whedon. His recusal was ended when Ray Fisher and Gal Gadot came forward with their allegations, and although no charges were ever officially filed, his work took a place in his heart.
All of this means that Joss Whedon was exposed as a hypocrite, and although it took decades, it was rewarding to see him face justice for his alleged actions. However, no one can deny that Whedon’s witty humor and unique writing style were the secret sauce that changed it. Buffy the Vampire Slayer in such a cultural thing. The reboot has finally found itself in a bad situation: if they bring back Whedon, Hulu will be accused of allowing his abuse. But by refusing to bring him on board, the broadcaster ended up with a script that fell far short of the original show they killed for a complete reboot.
Here Lies Buffy Summers
I Buffy the Vampire Slayer rebooting is dead, and that’s a good thing. Instead of getting another crappy reboot, this franchise will remain an artifact of the late ’90s and early aughts. We can enjoy streaming old episodes, ripping out our DVDs (remember those menu animations?), or even reading surprisingly good comic books. In this way, Buffy will live on as long as fans are nostalgic for its powerful pop culture impact.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and others are hoping to buy this reboot pilot to other networks or broadcasters, but I hope this thing stays dusty. Everything we know about the reboot makes it look like it would be a sloppy, mindless recreation of everything fans loved about the original show. And, if we’ve learned anything about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it’s that nothing good things happen when something comes back from the dead!
