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Sarah Michelle Gellar to star in Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot pilot on Hulu

Sarah Michelle Gellar to star in Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot pilot on Hulu
Published 3 days ago on Feb 04, 2025

Sarah Michelle Gellar Poised to Return as Buffy in Hulu Reboot.

Los Angeles, CA – Hold onto your stakes, Buffy fans! Hulu is reportedly on the verge of ordering a pilot for a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, and in a move sure to thrill longtime viewers, Sarah Michelle Gellar is expected to reprise her iconic role as Buffy Summers. The 47-year-old actress, known for her work in Dexter: Original Sin, is reportedly in final negotiations to not only star in the pilot but also serve as an executive producer.

This exciting development marks a potential resurgence for the beloved supernatural drama, which originally aired for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003 on The WB and UPN. While the reboot will primarily focus on a new teenage slayer, the return of Gellar as Buffy offers a powerful link to the original series and a chance to explore the character in new and compelling ways.

Gellar herself has hinted at the possibility of a Buffy revival in recent years. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show last December, she acknowledged her previous reluctance to revisit the series, citing its "perfect" and self-contained nature. However, she admitted that seeing successful reboots of shows like Sex and the City and Dexter had sparked her interest. "It's a universe," she stated, emphasizing the enduring need for heroes like Buffy in today's world.

Behind the scenes, the pilot is being helmed by a talented team. Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, known for their work on Poker Face, have written the script and will serve as executive producers. Adding to the project's prestige, Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, a self-proclaimed Buffy fan, is attached to produce and direct the pilot under her first-look deal with 20th Television and Searchlight TV.

The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a cultural phenomenon, launching the careers of several actors, including David Boreanaz, whose character Angel went on to star in his own spin-off series. The show's clever writing, strong female characters, and blend of horror, humor, and heart resonated with audiences worldwide. It all began with Joss Whedon, who created Buffy after writing the 1992 film of the same name, starring Kristy Swanson.

However, Whedon's legacy has been tarnished by allegations of abusive behavior on set. In 2021, several actors, including Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Gal Gadot, and Charisma Carpenter, came forward with accusations of "cruel" and "toxic" conduct. Gellar publicly distanced herself from Whedon, stating on Instagram, "While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don't want to be forever associated with the name Joss Whedon. But I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out."

Prior to these allegations, Whedon's personal life also came under scrutiny when his ex-wife, Kai Cole, published an essay in TheWrap in 2017, accusing him of "hypocritical repeated cheating" during their 16-year marriage. The couple, who share two children, Arden and Squire, divorced in 2016.

While the controversy surrounding Whedon remains a complex part of the Buffy story, the upcoming reboot offers an opportunity to celebrate the show's positive impact and introduce it to a new generation of viewers. With Gellar's involvement and a fresh creative team, the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer has the potential to recapture the magic of the original series while exploring new narratives within the established universe.

Gellar's current project, Dexter: Original Sin, a prequel to the hit series Dexter, sees her playing Tanya Martin, a forensics expert for the Miami Metro Police Department. The show airs Fridays on Paramount+ with Showtime. Her return to the Buffyverse is highly anticipated by fans, who are eager to see what the future holds for the Slayer and the world she inhabits. The potential reboot is already generating significant buzz online, with fans speculating about the new slayer's identity and the direction the series will take. The pilot order from Hulu represents a significant step forward for the project, and if all goes as planned, viewers could soon be diving back into the world of vampires, demons, and witty one-liners.

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