The reboot of Buffy gained steam in 2018, as it was announced that development had begun on a reboot of the iconic supernatural drama. Monica Owusu-Breen, a veteran television writer and prouder, was set to serve as showrunner while original series creator Joss Whedon would be involved as an executive producer. He would also work on the script with Owusu-Breen.
The announcement attracted a lot of attention, given the legacy and impact of the original Buffy series and how it launched lead star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, into global celebrity status. Cast were asked whether they'd be reprising their roles, and fans wondered how closely the reboot would be connected to its predecessor. However, after the initial buzz, the project went quiet. It was further hampered by the detailed allegations of Whedon's abusive behavior on the set of Buffy.
While answering a listener question on the August 19 edition of THR's podcast TV's Top 5, reporter Lesley Goldberg confirmed that the Buffy reboot had stalled. Goldberg went further in her comments, noting that the once-hyped project was now stuck in "purgatory." Goldberg's response has been transcribed below.
“To answer to whomever wrote inquiring about the status of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot that was announced or put in development back in 2018… executive producer Gail Berman recently told our colleague, and friend of the 5, Katie Kilkenny, that it is quote, ‘on pause’—which is industry speak for purgatory. So, make of that what you will.”
This is as clear a statement as any that, at least for the foreseeable future, the reboot is dead. That's not altogether surprising, given Whedon's close attachment to Buffy and the fact that the actors and crew from the show, including Gellar herself, spoke out against his toxic behavior. Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase on the supernatural drama and its spinoff Angel, detailed her experiences with Whedon in a social media post in February 2021. Whedon also faces allegations from his behavior as the director of Justice League.
But even before then, the Buffy reboot started off on shaky ground. It wasn't entirely clear whether the new version would feature a different actress in the titular role or if it would exist in the same universe as the original. Plot details never materialized, nor did any casting reports, and it counts as the second time that a Buffy continuation struggled to gain momentum. The first attempt, a 2010 movie, never moved forward.
Still, there remains a lot of curiosity around the idea of reviving Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Earlier this year, in a quote that went viral, Gellar noted Zendaya would be a great choice to headline a hypothetical reboot, something like that could still happen down the line. But for the time being, it sounds like the project will remain decidedly dormant.
Source: TV's Top 5