Hulu is not moving forward with the Buffy reboot, ending the latest attempt to revive Buffy the Vampire Slayer for Disney-owned streaming.
Reports say the pilot had been in development as “the next chapter in the Buffyverse,” with Sarah Michelle Gellar set to recur and Ryan Kiera Armstrong lined up to lead as a new, younger Slayer.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Kiera Armstrong confirm the bad news
Sarah Michelle Gellar addressed fans in an Instagram video and said she was “really sad” to share that the project had fallen apart.
She also thanked Chloé Zhao, saying Zhao helped remind her how much Buffy still means to her and to fans. Gellar added that even though the reboot is not happening, that does not change what the character represents.
Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) added her own thoughts on Instagram Story, thanking creatives and the fans, and noted, “It’s not going anywhere. So who knows what the future will hold.”
Chloé Zhao was attached to direct
The reboot had attracted major attention because Chloé Zhao was set to direct the pilot.
Original Buffy creator Joss Whedon was not attached to the project. The plan was not for a straight remake, but for a continuation focused on a new Slayer, with Gellar returning in a recurring role instead of leading the series full-time.
Pilot titled Buffy: New Sunnydal doesn’t move forward
According to the trade reports, the pilot was titled Buffy: New Sunnydal, but Hulu decided not to proceed.
Deadline reported that sources described the project as “not perfect” and said Zhao’s style may not have been the right fit for the material.
There had reportedly been talk of reworking the pilot as recently as earlier this week before Hulu made the call to cancel.
Hulu may not be done with Buffy
Deadline also adds that it does not look like the end of Buffy at Hulu or Disney. The site reports that Hulu remains high on the Buffy IP and plans to regroup while considering a different version of the franchise. So while this reboot is dead, the Buffy brand itself is apparently still in play.
