Hulu has decided to cancel the planned reboot of the iconic ’90s supernatural series, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” as announced by Sarah Michelle Gellar, the original show’s lead actress. In an Instagram post, Gellar revealed that Hulu would not be moving forward with the project.
Gellar, who portrayed the titular character Buffy in the original series, had filmed a pilot for the reboot titled “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale” alongside Ryan Kiera Armstrong, a 16-year-old actress cast as the new vampire slayer in the series.
The original show, which revolved around a group of young individuals battling vampires and other supernatural entities in the fictional town of Sunnydale, California, was renowned for its innovative storytelling in television.
According to a report by CBC Ideas marking the show’s 20th anniversary in 2017, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was credited with significantly influencing television production by incorporating intricate storylines, well-developed characters, and addressing contemporary societal issues and tensions.
Expressing her gratitude, Gellar thanked Chloe Zhao, the Oscar-winning director chosen to revive the series. She expressed surprise at the opportunity to step back into Buffy’s iconic footwear and emphasized the character’s significance not only to herself but also to the show’s dedicated fan base.
Despite the cancellation, Gellar reassured fans that the essence of Buffy remains unchanged, and in a lighthearted remark, promised to be available even during an apocalypse scenario.
Hulu has not provided any immediate comments following inquiries from CBC News regarding the cancellation of the reboot.