Relaunching Buffy: Sarah Michelle Gellar's Persuasive Argument

Article Overview

Sarah Michelle Gellar has no plans to return to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but believes the Buffyverse should continue without her.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer's conclusion provided an opportunity for a fresh extension, as Buffy empowered and unleashed a multitude of Slayers, each with their own unique tales worth delving into.

Rather than opting for a complete restart, a continuation or spin-off could pay homage to the show's rich history and further develop the existing narrative groundwork.

Sarah Michelle Gellar does not plan to reprise her role as Buffy Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, she believes that the Buffyverse should continue without her. Gellar gained recognition for her iconic portrayal of the vampire Slayer and received praise for her performance. Despite her success, she has no interest in returning to the series. Nevertheless, she supports the idea of the Buffyverse progressing without her involvement.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a beloved supernatural drama series created by Joss Whedon, was based on the unsuccessful 1992 Buffy film. It aired from 1997 to 2003 and followed the journey of a chosen teenage girl who fights vampires and other monsters to protect the world. In the series, the fate of Slayers is predetermined, and they gain supernatural strength and healing powers as they reach adulthood. Although Buffy was the main Slayer throughout the show, there were other potential successors who could carry on the Buffyverse.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer's Ending Set Up An Easy Way To Continue The Story

The ending of Buffy the Vampire Slayer set the stage for a new continuation that doesn't rely on Buffy herself. With the creation of an entire army of Slayers, countless untold stories are waiting to be explored. While there are numerous possibilities for the continuation of Buffy's story, the series already did an exceptional job in developing her character. From battling vampires and demons to preventing multiple Apocalypses, Gellar's character faced the challenge of accepting her duty to save the world while simultaneously dealing with everyday matters such as friendship, loss, and love. Revisiting the character would undermine the growth Buffy experienced throughout the series.

Originally, a new Slayer was only called upon when the previous one perished. However, after the finale, all the potential Slayers transformed into genuine ones, expanding the Buffyverse beyond the narrative of Buffy Summers. This concept was further explored in Dark Horse's Season Eight comic book series and subsequent seasons, where Buffy and her team focused on training and preparing the potential Slayers for a life of battling demons. Thus, the comic book demonstrated that Buffy no longer had to carry the burden of being the sole Slayer.

A Buffy Continuation Or Spinoff Is Better Than A Reboot

Buffy the Vampire Slayer still possesses a substantial following, indicating that a reboot could potentially attract a significant audience. However, Sarah Michelle Gellar raises a valid point in rejecting the idea, particularly since declining a reboot does not imply that the Buffyverse cannot continue to exist. While it is true that the series, which originated in the late '90s, touches on several subjects that would be deemed inappropriate today, this alone is insufficient justification for a revival. There is no necessity to reconstruct the Buffyverse or cast a new Buffy, given Gellar's reluctance to reprise her role and her ineligibility to portray a teenage Buffy due to age.

The most fitting way to pay homage to the legacy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and its spin-off Angel, for that matter) is not through a reboot, but rather a continuation or a spin-off. Considering that any forthcoming project, whether it be a sequel or a new spin-off, would be faced with exceedingly high expectations, a revival would seem to undermine the significance of its legacy and everything that has been accomplished thus far. Instead, a sequel or spin-off has the potential to embrace past events and further expand upon them.

Proof that there are many more intriguing characters to explore, the new audio series Slayers: A Buffyverse Story introduces a captivating cast reunion. Although Sarah Michelle Gellar is not part of the series, it brings back an exciting lineup of actors. Joining the audio series are James Marsters as Spike, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia, Anthony Head as Giles, Juliet Landau as Drusilla, Emma Caulfield Ford as Anya, Amber Benson as Tara, James Charles Leary as Clem, and Danny Strong as Jonathan. Together, they embark on new adventures, delving into fresh narratives for their respective characters.

What Happened To Buffy The Vampire Slayer's Reboot?

Discussions of a potential Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot have occurred frequently, but no concrete progress has been made. Disgraced creator Joss Whedon revealed plans for a revival in 2018, with his role as executive producer. Monica Owusu-Breen was intended to be the new showrunner, and the idea of casting a Black actor as Buffy Summers sparked discussions and rumors.

However, in 2022, executive producer Gail Berman announced that the project is currently "on pause," which raises concerns about its future. Since then, no further details or release dates have been confirmed for the revival. Nevertheless, the success of the Audible audio series sequel, Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, could potentially reignite discussions about a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and it holds a special place in my heart. The show was groundbreaking for its time and I loved the strong female lead character. However, I agree with Sarah Michelle Gellar that it's time for the Buffyverse to continue without her.

The ending of the show left it open for a new generation of Slayers to take over and I think that would be a great way to continue the story. There are so many untold stories in the Buffyverse and I'm excited to see what the future holds for it. I think a reboot would be a mistake, as it would undermine the original show and everything that it accomplished. A continuation or spin-off would be a better way to pay homage to the legacy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.