Hulu has decided to cancel the planned reboot of the iconic ’90s supernatural series, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” as confirmed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, the original show’s lead actress, in a recent Instagram announcement.
Gellar, known for portraying the titular character Buffy, revealed that Hulu had opted not to proceed with the project. The proposed reboot, titled “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale,” featured Gellar and Ryan Kiera Armstrong, 16, who was set to take on the role of the new vampire slayer.
The original series, set in the fictional town of Sunnydale, California, was groundbreaking in its portrayal of young individuals battling vampires and other supernatural entities, revolutionizing television conventions.
As cultural critics highlighted during the show’s 20th-anniversary celebration in 2017, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” significantly influenced television production by incorporating intricate storylines, in-depth character development, and addressing contemporary societal concerns and tensions.
Expressing gratitude in her post, Gellar thanked Chloe Zhao, the Academy Award-winning director assigned to revive the beloved series. She expressed her unexpected return to the character and emphasized the profound personal and collective significance of Buffy to fans.
Despite the cancellation, Gellar reassured fans that her connection to Buffy remains strong and concluded with a playful reference to the character’s iconic line, “if the apocalypse comes, you can still beep me.”
Hulu has not yet responded to inquiries from CBC News regarding the decision to scrap the reboot.