The highly anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, has been canceled by Hulu, as confirmed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, the original Buffy Summers, according to Deadline and Screen Rant. The pilot was directed by Chloé Zhao and marked a shift from the original series by focusing on new characters, with Gellar’s Buffy only appearing briefly, Variety reports.
Gellar revealed that a Hulu executive who disliked the original series and did not watch the pilot was a key factor in the reboot's cancellation, according to Fast Company. The actress expressed frustration with the decision and hopes the unfinished pilot does not leak online, urging fans not to read the script as pilots are works in progress, as shared on Page Six’s ‘P6 Radio’ and reported by Variety and Hollywood Reporter.
Further details from Variety show that the reboot’s approach to sidelining Gellar’s character in favor of new storylines likely contributed to internal conflicts about the show’s direction at Hulu. This creative divergence combined with executive attitudes reportedly led to the shelving of the project despite fan excitement and anticipation highlighted by Screen Rant.
Following the cancellation, TMZ noted that Gellar publicly criticized the Hulu executive responsible, reflecting tensions surrounding the project’s abrupt end. The star was later spotted out in public shortly after voicing her disapproval of the network’s handling of the reboot, underscoring the controversy.
Industry watchers will be closely monitoring Hulu’s next moves regarding the Buffy franchise and whether any other platforms might revive or reboot the concept differently. The cancellation raises questions about how legacy properties will be approached under streaming platforms’ corporate leadership and executive tastes going forward.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Hulu
Changpeng Zhao
