Sarah Michelle Gellar’s ‘Buffy’ Reboot Will Not Move Forward at Hulu
Hulu Cancels Buffy Reboot Featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar
Hulu has decided not to move forward with its highly anticipated reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which was set to star and be executive produced by Sarah Michelle Gellar. Gellar shared the cancellation news with fans via Instagram on Saturday morning.
The announcement comes approximately a year after the streaming service ordered a pilot for the project, which was directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao, known for her deep admiration for the original series. The script was penned by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, recognized for their work on Poker Face.
Sources indicate that discourse surrounding the pilot had included claims that it was “not perfect,” suggesting that Zhao’s creative vision may not have aligned with the reboot’s goals. Zhao currently enjoys critical acclaim for her latest film, Hamnet.
There had been discussions about potentially reworking the pilot; however, Hulu ultimately chose not to proceed. Despite this setback, the streaming platform remains optimistic about the Buffy franchise and intends to explore the possibility of a new iteration in the future.
Ryan Kiera Armstrong was cast as the lead opposite Gellar in the pilot, portraying a new slayer while Gellar was set to reprise her iconic role as Buffy Summers. The pilot was a collaboration between 20th Television and Searchlight TV.
