Two months ago, we reported that Sarah Michelle Gellar was open to reprising her role as the iconic vampire slayer Buffy Summers in a potential Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot. Well, it looks like that reboot might actually happen, as we just learned that Hulu is close to handing out a pilot order for a follow-up series to the beloved supernatural drama.
And guess what? Gellar is reportedly expected to make a return in the pilot as Buffy. I mean, it wouldn't be a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot without the original character coming back! We learned of this good news from Deadline. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao, who is best known for being behind the drama film Nomadland and the superhero flick Eternals, will helm the pilot from a script written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman (Poker Face).
Additionally, 20th Television and Searchlight Television are behind this reboot. While not officially confirmed for series, Deadline reports that a writer's room is in the process of being formed for the reboot. Of course, that's a good sign as it suggests that Hulu and the studios have strong confidence in the pilot and expect it to be picked up as a full series. Besides Gellar, no other OG cast members were announced to be returning. However, there's a possibility that other familiar faces may be announced in the future.
Executive producers on the project include Gellar, Zhao, Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, Gail Berman, Fran and Kaz Kuzui, and Dolly Parton. Parton was a producer on the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, and early last year, she told Business Insider in an interview that a Buffy reboot was being planned out. She told the news outlet, "They're still working on that. They're thinking about bringing it back and revamping it."
Well, it looks like the reboot is one step closer to being made, with the announcement that Hulu is considering a pilot order. In addition, Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon will not be part of the pilot or reboot in any way. This could be mostly due to his controversial history in recent years.
According to Deadline, sources revealed that talks with Gellar about returning for the Buffy reboot began following her December 2024 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, where she expressed her interest in coming back. These discussions are reportedly now in the final stages. It looks like speaking things into existence can sometimes lead to real outcomes. All it took was for Gellar to express her interest in reprising her iconic role, and now that seems to have set the wheels in motion.
The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, which aired from 1997 to 2003 for seven seasons, followed Buffy Summers, a teen girl chosen by destiny to defend the world from vampires, demons, and other supernatural creatures. As mentioned earlier, Gellar played the role of Buffy. Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, James Marsters, and many others also made up the series cast.
Stay tuned to 1428 Elm for more information on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot!