AtanariaMore than two decades after Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended its groundbreaking seven-season run, the iconic supernatural series is poised for a revival. Hulu is reportedly nearing a pilot order for a new chapter in the Buffyverse, with Sarah Michelle Gellar expected to reprise her role as Buffy Summers. Acclaimed director Chloé Zhao, known for her Oscar-winning film Nomadland and Marvel’s Eternals, is set to helm the pilot, which is being written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman (Poker Face).
The reboot is being developed by 20th Television and Disney’s Searchlight TV, where Zhao has an existing first-look deal. Sources indicate that a writers’ room will soon be established, suggesting that Hulu and the studios have high expectations for the project. While it remains unclear whether other original cast members will return, it is considered a strong possibility.
A New Era for the Buffyverse
Described as the next chapter in the Buffy franchise, the reboot boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers. In addition to Gellar and Zhao, the project will be guided by the Zuckerman sisters, as well as Buffy’s original executive producers Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, and Kaz Kuzui. Music legend Dolly Parton, whose company Sandollar was involved in the original series, is also on board as an executive producer.
One notable absence from the revival is Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Whedon, who also wrote the 1992 film that inspired the TV series, has not been involved in any Hollywood projects since 2021, following multiple misconduct allegations.
Building on a Legacy
If Hulu picks up the pilot to series, this will mark the third entry in the Buffy franchise. The original series ran from 1997 to 2003, first airing on the WB before moving to UPN for its final two seasons. It also spawned the spinoff Angel, which aired on the WB from 1999 to 2004.
This is not the first attempt at reviving Buffy. In 2018, a reboot was in development with Midnight, Texas creator Monica Owusu-Breen attached as the showrunner. That project, which aimed to introduce a Black female lead, ultimately did not move forward. However, fan enthusiasm for a return to the Buffyverse has remained strong, fueled by recent cast reunions and ongoing nostalgia for the beloved series.
Gellar’s Change of Heart
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who had previously been hesitant about returning to Buffy, has recently softened her stance. In a December interview promoting her role in Dexter prequel series Original Sin, she reflected on how other revivals, such as Sex and the City and Dexter, have made her reconsider.
“It’s funny, I always used to say no, because it’s in its bubble and it’s so perfect,” Gellar admitted. “But watching Sex and the City and seeing Dexter, and realizing there are ways to do it, definitely does get your mind thinking, ‘Well, maybe.’”
According to sources, negotiations with Gellar for the Buffy reboot were already underway when she made these comments. Those talks are now reportedly in their final stages.
A Promising Future
The new Buffy project is part of a larger trend of franchise revivals at 20th Television, which is also developing a Malcolm in the Middle reboot for Disney+, a Scrubs revival for ABC, and a new Prison Break series for Hulu.
With a powerhouse team of creatives and a dedicated fanbase eagerly awaiting its return, the Buffy reboot has the potential to breathe new life into the franchise while honoring its legacy. Whether it will introduce a new Slayer, continue Buffy’s story, or explore uncharted corners of the Buffyverse, one thing is clear: the world still needs its heroes, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer is ready to rise again.
