‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ was a popular supernatural drama that aired between 1997 and 2003, and to this day, it is considered a cult TV favourite. The show told the story of a young woman who battles against vampires, demons and other dark forces, known as a “slayer” who’s chosen by fate.
If you watched the show during its original airing period, the one thing you’d remember the most, is of course, the main protagonist, Buffy Summers, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
The show first aired twenty years ago, so like many TV shows and movies when they reach a certain age, this one will also be receiving the reboot/remake treatment. However, this time, the lead actress for Buffy will be portrayed by a black actress.
Producer and writer Monica Owusu-Breen will write the new adaptation, and original writer of ‘Buffy’, Joss Whedon, will serve as an executive producer. He will also lend his hand to writing elements of the show as well.
The original ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ is due for a reboot. Source: The Telegraph
The Hollywood Reporter were the first to report on the reboot, and said that the new adaptation will be “diverse, with some aspects of the series… seen as metaphors for issues facing society today”.
The original ‘Buffy’ show ran for seven full seasons, inspiring a 1999 spin off show called “Angel”, before coming to a final end in 2003. ‘Angel’ also based on a 1992 comedy horror film of the same name, which was adapted by Joss Whedon. So, it’s somewhat of a remake in itself, though most tend to remember the TV series when they think of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’.
As with most reboot announcements, some fans welcomed the news, whilst others were a little more dubious of the new series coming into fruition at this time, and in this way.
However, voice actor Justin Frac described it on Twitter as the “best news of history”, following up with three black slayers from ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s’ original run.
And props to the three black slayers we got on Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s original run: Nicki Wood, Kendra Young and Rona
— Justin Frac ()
So there’s a Buffy reboot coming, and the lead is going to be a person of colour?
I’m not sure I’m ready to see Scarlett Johansson as Buffy to be honest.
— Stu (@stuism)
Author Lilliam Rivera tweeted that she had mixed feelings on the news: “I loved Buffy. But you know what else I love? When Hollywood looks at new stories by people of color instead of rebooting old ones and changing the casting.”
Whedon previously spoke to The Hollywood Reporter on his “fear” at the idea of a reboot or reunion, describing reboots as a “monkey’s paw”.
“You have to meet expectations and adjust it for the climate, which is not easy.” he said. “Luckily most of my actors still look wonderful, but I’m not worried about them being creaky. I’m more worried about me being creaky as a storyteller. You don’t want that feeling that you should have left before the encore.”
So far, the black actress that will be playing Buffy has not yet been named, and no network has even been attached to the series. But, the rumour mill is spinning with news that the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ original is going to get a modern reboot.
Are you excited to see this brand new take on ‘Buffy?’ Or do you believe that a completely different show would’ve been a better option?
Story by Emily Clark
Featured Image Credit: Goomba Stomp