Hulu has decided not to move forward with its planned reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which was set to star and be executive produced by Sarah Michelle Gellar. The actor confirmed the development to fans through a video shared on Instagram on Saturday.
The project, which had been given a pilot order last year, was tentatively titled Buffy: New Sunnydale. The pilot was directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao and written by sisters Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman, known for their work on Poker Face.
Gellar revealed she was informed about the decision on Friday night, shortly after attending the SXSW premiere of her new film Ready or Not 2: Here I Come in Austin. The actor had spoken enthusiastically about revisiting the iconic character just hours earlier while promoting the film at the festival.
Addressing fans in her Instagram video, Gellar expressed her disappointment over the project being shelved. “I want to thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots,” she said. “And thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means not only to me, but to all of you.”
She added, “This doesn’t change any of that, and I promise if the apocalypse actually comes… you can still beep me,” before noting that she was “really sad” about the reboot not moving ahead.
The decision follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the pilot. According to sources, the episode was viewed as “not perfect", with some suggesting that Zhao’s filmmaking sensibility might not have fully aligned with the tone expected for the reboot. Despite the setback, the streamer is still believed to be interested in the franchise and may explore another approach to reviving it in the future.
The new series was designed to expand the Buffy universe while bringing back Gellar as the original slayer, Buffy Summers. Actor Ryan Kiera Armstrong had been cast as the new slayer, with the ensemble also including Faly Rakotohavana, Ava Jean, Sarah Bock, Daniel Di Tomasso and Jack Cutmore-Scott, while Chase Sui Wonders was set to appear in a guest role. The show was being produced by 20th Television and Searchlight Television.
Zhao, who previously directed the Marvel film Eternals for Marvel Studios, is currently receiving critical acclaim for her latest film, Hamnet, which has earned multiple Oscar nominations.