Buffy revival with Gellar returning is now reportedly in the works. Hulu is apparently set to order a pilot, which will be directed by Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals), while Gellar will also serve as an executive producer.

It's long been impossible to keep the show - or its eponymous hero - down. Hell, Buffy the Vampire Slayer's ending wasn't a permanent one, as the story has continued in various comic book series, which will, unfortunately, presumably have to be retconned in order to make the new TV show work. In an era where franchises and known IPs are the dominant Hollywood currency, it was inevitable that we'd see more of Buffy on-screen one day, but the way it's happening is certainly a relief.

Continuing Buffy The Vampire Slayer Makes Far More Sense Than Fully Rebooting It

The Show Has A Built-In Method Of Continuing

For a long time, it's been unclear exactly what a new version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer would be. Would it even be about Buffy, or follow a new vampire slayer? Would it revive the show and its existing continuity, or be a complete reboot with fresh characters, storylines, and a new universe? It has long been described as a reboot, which technically suggests the latter option, though it's often conflated and mixed together with the others.

Now we know: Buffy's revival, sequel, reboot, or whatever you want to call it, will continue in the same world as the original, and Buffy herself is back. This makes by far the most sense. A true reboot would face an almost impossible task of redoing - and outdoing - the original series. Although a continuation will still face comparisons and similar pressure, it's at least easier because it has the starting point of not trying to erase or replace the OG series, but existing within its current framework.

By turning all the potentials into actual slayers, then there's absolutely no reason to create a new continuity with a brand-new Buffy

What's more, Buffy the Vampire Slayer's series finale did set this up, in a way. By turning all the potentials into actual slayers, then there's absolutely no reason to create a new continuity with a brand-new Buffy: just pick a slayer and focus on them. There's plenty of, ahem, potential in the idea, and it can explore what happened to those slayers, how the magic continues to work (or if something has changed), without needing to retcon the show.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer's 2023 Sequel Proved Any Revival Needs Sarah Michelle Gellar

Even If It's A ing Role, She's Crucial

Forget Dawn Summers, Buffy is the real key, at least when it comes to a sequel. I've long thought that any revival or reboot would at the very least need her blessing, but ideally her involvement. The latter was really highlighted to me with Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, which was released as an Audible series back in 2023. Set partially in the main timeline, partially in an alternate one where Cordelia Chase becomes the slayer, it's on the whole a fun, exciting story, introducing a new vampire slayer called Indira, and bringing back several main cast .

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story was canceled after just one season.

While I enjoyed Slayers, the biggest thing missing, by far, was Buffy herself. It felt like a gaping hole the size of the Hellmouth in the story, and I missed her more than Sunnydale did in the episode "The Wish". It should come as no surprise that Buffy needs, well, Buffy. The combination of heroism, heart (and heartbreak), and humor she provides is unrivaled, and I think there's an opportunity for a really strong legacy sequel that casts her in a ing role, helping another slayer find themselves.

I could just about accept a Buffy the Vampire Slayer set in the same continuity that didn't bring anyone else back (though it'd be a huge shame), but Gellar is crucial.

To this end, then, it also needs Gellar back, because she is Buffy. I could just about accept a Buffy the Vampire Slayer set in the same continuity that didn't bring anyone else back (though it'd be a huge shame), but Gellar is crucial. She gives the revival a sense of legitimacy, and her approval of it matters. It could very much see her the torch on so that, one day, the show could exist without her, but I don't think that would happen without her presence in the first place. After all, there are countless slayers, but there's only one Buffy.