Sarah Michelle Gellar Open to Discussing a 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Reboot with Dolly Parton (Exclusive)

The Daily Front Row's 8th Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards, Sarah Michelle Gellar

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There’s only one person who could convince Sarah Michelle Gellar to think about a Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival: Dolly Parton.

“I mean, if Dolly Parton ever calls me, I would definitely pick up the phone. She’s like the queen!” Gellar, 47, shared exclusively with We at the Front Row Fashion Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, April 26.

Based on the 1992 film of the same name, Buffy debuted as a TV show on The WB in 1997 and later moved to UPN for its final two seasons. The series followed Buffy Summer (Gellar) as she battled vampires, demons, and other dark forces. Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head, Nicholas Brendon, and David Boreanaz also had roles in the show.

Parton, on the other hand, was an uncredited producer for the show under her company, Sandollar Productions. Recently, the 78-year-old hinted that the beloved supernatural series, still a favorite among fans, may be returning in the future.

Parton mentioned to Business Insider in January that there are discussions about bringing back and updating the show. She mentioned that they are still in the process of working on it.

On the other hand, Gellar has expressed her reluctance to reprise her role as Buffy. In a previous statement to Variety, she mentioned being proud of the show but believes a revival is unnecessary. Despite this, she supports the idea of the Buffy story continuing without her involvement.

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Dolly Parton Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

She continued, "The show represents female empowerment, and I love the message it leaves behind: 'Every girl who has the power can have the power.' It sets the stage for someone else to take on that power. However, the metaphors used in Buffy highlight the struggles of adolescence. Despite appearing youthful, I am no longer in that stage of life."

Even though she has no desire to revisit her role as Buffy, Gellar still cherishes the memories she made on the show. She holds them close to her heart and has started watching the supernatural series with her children - 14-year-old daughter Charlotte and 11-year-old son Rocky, whom she shares with her husband Freddie Prinze Jr.

'Buffy' cast in season 3

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In 2021, Gellar shared with Us that her family has watched up to season 5 of the show before taking a break. She mentioned that she has had to be selective and skip some of the darker episodes that may not be suitable for younger children. For example, in season 5, Buffy dies, and in season 6, there is an episode where Spike tries to assault Buffy.

"We are slowly making our way through the series," she explained. "But my kids have also become interested in other TV shows, so we have been a bit distracted."

Charlotte and Rocky are particularly interested in Buffy, more so than any of Gellar’s other work. According to Gellar, “They never want to watch anything that I do.” Gellar mentioned that she had to watch the first five episodes of Buffy because they were doing a panel the next day. She hadn't seen it before, so they all sat down to watch the first episode. After watching the first episode, Gellar told them it was time to shower, but they all came back down to watch the rest.

Gellar shared that Charlotte and Rocky were so engrossed in the show that they even woke up early the next morning to finish it before school. She said, “They were adamant that they wanted to see the rest. That never happens.”

Editor's P/S:

Sarah Michelle Gellar's openness to a Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival with Dolly Parton's involvement is intriguing. Parton's legendary status and her previous involvement as a producer suggest that she could bring a fresh perspective to the beloved series. However, Gellar's reluctance to reprise her iconic role highlights the challenges of revisiting a classic show.

Despite Gellar's reservations, the idea of a Buffy revival remains captivating. The show's themes of female empowerment and the struggles of adolescence continue to resonate with audiences. Updating the story and exploring it through a modern lens could offer a compelling and relevant take on the Buffy legacy. Ultimately, the decision of whether to proceed with a revival will depend on the creative team's ability to strike a balance between respecting the original while also introducing new and exciting elements.