Buffy Summers might be returning to our television screens in the near future and the planned Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot just got a big update.
In addition to Sarah Michelle Gellar joining the cast to reprise her role as Buffy Summers, the project has landed its first new slayer in actor Ryan Kiera Armstrong (via Deadline). Horror fans might recognize her from the 2022 Firestarter remake or from the tenth season of American Horror Story.
According to the outlet, the 15-year-old actor has been cast "as an introverted high-school student" in the latest Buffyverse project. Since she is also allegedly a slayer, we can assume she might be something of an outcast at school and then find her purpose when she's selected as the next generation's slayer. Buffy is likely to act as a mentor for her.
But keep in mind that, currently, the reboot is only in the pilot stage. Hulu placed an order for one in February. The pilot will be directed by Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, whose film Nomadland won Best Picture at the 93rd Academy Awards. The script was written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman.
Gellar is very happy with Armstrong's casting, praising the actress for her talent.
“From the moment I saw Ryan’s audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side,” Gellar said.
The older actress recorded a video her sharing the exciting news with Armstrong and shared it to her Instagram to introduce her to fans of the show, welcoming her to "New Sunnydale," and calling her their "chosen one."
Former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Emma Caulfield, who played Anya, shared her excitement over the news in the comments of Gellar's post.
Armstrong made her film acting debut with the 2019 movie The Art of Racing in the Rain and would then go on to appear in It Chapter Two, Black Widow, The Tomorrow War, Firestarter, and more.
On the television side, apart from American Horror Story: Red Tide, she also had a recurring role in the Netflix Original series Anne with an E and starred in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. She also has parts in the upcoming series Stick, a sports comedy with Owen Wilson, and Ethan Hawke's FX show The Lowdown.
As for Gellar, she can be seen in the recent Dexter prequel series Dexter: Original Sin, which was recently renewed for a second season. She was also announced as part of the cast for Ready or Not: Here I Come and will lead the cast of TV series Bad Summer People.
Stay tuned to 1428 Elm for more updates on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot and all things horror!