Hulu has officially scrapped the planned reboot of the iconic ’90s series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” according to an announcement made by Sarah Michelle Gellar, the original show’s lead actress, on Saturday. Gellar revealed on Instagram that Hulu had decided to halt the production of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale,” the potential reboot in which she filmed a pilot alongside Ryan Kiera Armstrong, the young actress set to portray the new vampire slayer.
The original series, which followed a group of youths battling supernatural creatures in the fictional town of Sunnydale, California, was groundbreaking in its approach to television storytelling. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was praised by cultural critics for its innovative narrative structure, in-depth character development, and its exploration of contemporary societal issues and tensions.
Expressing gratitude to Chloe Zhao, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker enlisted to revive the show, Gellar acknowledged the unexpected opportunity to step back into Buffy’s iconic shoes and emphasized the character’s enduring impact on both herself and the fans. Despite the reboot’s cancellation, Gellar affirmed that her appreciation for the character and the series remains unchanged, promising fans that she would still be there for them in case of any impending apocalypse.
Hulu has yet to provide any official statement regarding the decision to halt the reboot.
