Sarah Michelle Gellar already ‘nervous’ over the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot
'I think people are going to be pretty impressed.'
Sarah Michelle Gellar has opened up about feeling ‘overwhelmed’ by the huge response to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel.
The iconic supernatural drama ran for seven seasons between 1997 and 2003, with Alyson Hannigan, David Boreanaz, Nicholas Brendon and Charisma Carpenter also in the cast.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Chloe Zhao was set to direct a follow-up series with Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman among the producers.
After Sarah, who played the titular character to perfection, revealed that she would be involved in the upcoming project, she shared her determination to make sure things are done the ‘right’ way, after the ‘exciting’ response from fans.
‘I wish there was a better word than overwhelming. It’s heartwarming and exciting and also incredibly nerve-wracking at the same time,’ the 47-year-old told People Magazine.
The lead star explained that it’s ‘nerve-wracking’ to step back into the iconic role, ‘because you have to do it right’.
She played the titular character in the original show (Picture: 20th Century Fox)‘And I think we have this team in place that is legendary, from Chloe Zhao to the Zucks [Nora and Lilla Zuckerman], to Gail Berman.
‘And I think people are going to be pretty impressed.’
Buffy will be back to take on more vampires and demons but, thankfully, she won’t be juggling high school at the same time.
According to Deadline, the project is reportedly nearing a pilot order from Hulu and a writer’s room will begin soon – but it is not clear whether Sarah will be joined by her previous co-stars.
Sarah explained that it’s a ‘nerve-wracking’ process bring the character back (Picture: Getty)The unnamed sequel has been tipped as the next chapter in the Buffyverse, and will serve as the third in the franchise – the original Buffy program led to spinoff Angel.
Sarah will serve as executive producer with Chloe, Nora and Lilla, with the latter two also writing the show – the original series’ executive producers, Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui and Kaz Kuzui, are said to be returning.
Buffy creator Joss Whedon, who faced misconduct allegations in 2021, has no involvement in the reboot.
Amid speculation about the upcoming episodes, The I Know What You Did Last Summer actress posted a lengthy statement on her Instagram page, explaining that talks with Chloe and Gail began three years ago
She previously confirmed her involvement on Instagram (Picture: Instagram)‘I was blown away that Chloe even knew who I was, but, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again. We’d always been aligned on that, but this time I heard something different in her voice,’ she began.
‘I eventually agreed to go (mainly just to meet Chloe) and our twenty minute coffee quickly turned into a four hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us.
‘While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation.
What can we expect from the program? (Picture: 20th Century Fox)‘These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea.’
‘This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there,’ she added.
‘I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love “Buffy” as much as I do. And as much as you do.
‘Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you.’
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