Sarah Michelle Gellar is officially done with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but she would still love to see it go on. Buffy the Vampire Slayer focuses on the story of the eponymous teenage girl meant to serve as the world's protector with the responsibility to slay as many vampires as she can. Buffy, who has no desire to be the Slayer, is chosen by fate and given superhuman powers to help her along her quest. With superstrength, healing, and precognition, she works with other students at her high school to face off against vampires and other threats.
Gellar earned serious acclaim for her performance as the vampire slayer, which inspired many young women during its seven season run. Yet, while Gellar made it clear that she has no interest in returning to the franchise even before the failure of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, that doesn't mean she wants Buffy the Vampire Slayer to fail. When asked if she was interested in reprising her role in an interview with SFX Magazine, transcribed by CBR, Gellar makes it clear that she still sees value in Buffy the Vampire Slayer but won't be appearing again. Check out her quote below:
I'm not. I am very proud of the show that we created, and it doesn't need to be done. We wrapped that up. I am all for them continuing the story, because there's the story of female empowerment. I love the way the show was left: 'Every girl who has the power can have the power.' It's set up perfectly for someone else to have the power. But like I said, the metaphors of Buffy were the horrors of adolescence. I think I look young, but I am not an adolescent.
What Happened To The Buffy The Vampire Slayer Reboot?
A Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot was announced in 2018, but the past few years have seen the project stall to a grinding halt. A recent disappointing update revealed that it was officially put "on pause", which means that the reboot has fallen into production limbo and is unlikely to escape. Without any word about casting updates, plot details, or even whether the reboot would take place in the same universe as the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer, there has been little in the way of updates to latch onto, and the pause means that the project likely won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
Should Buffy The Vampire Slayer Be Rebooted?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer can still be a draw for audiences, as long as the project is put in good hands. With Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever proving that women-led superhero movies can break box office records, a show centering around the superpowered Buffy should still be able to create a passionate and loyal fanbase. With superheroes increasing in prominence with every passing year, Buffy can easily return to her place as a mainstay in pop culture if the reboot can ever get off the ground after falling into limbo, especially when the vampire slaying Blade is on the way in 2024.
Of course, while Buffy the Vampire Slayer may be able to find fans, that doesn't mean that the project is entirely necessary. Without Sarah Michelle Gellar, who truly owned the role of Buffy and added a sharp wit and considerable amount of depth to the character, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise just isn't the same. Besides, Disney's Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is struggling for more than a few reasons. Between the allegations that Joss Whedon created a toxic work environment and the many other more prominent franchises that Disney has to work with, Buffy the Vampire Slayer just isn't a priority. The reboot doesn't need to be made, so it is possible that they may never make it.
Source: SFX Magazine via CBR