Buffy’s big screen return
By Paul on May 26, 2009 | 8 Comments
Buffy The Vampire Slayer is heading back to the big screen with a new movie based on the hit franchise. But will it satisfy cult fans?
The character of Buffy, most famously played by Sarah Michelle Gellar in the hit TV series, was a spinoff of the 1992 movie of the same name, starring Kristy Swanson. The TV show, which had a cult following, ran for six years before coming to an end in 2003.
Director Fran Rubel Kuzui, who directed the original film and executive produced the TV program, owns the rights to the Buffy brand and is planning to reboot the franchise for the big screen, replacing Gellar and the rest of the cast with new actors to fight demons in a different generation. But will Joss Whedon be on board?
According to reports, Whedon, who penned the original movie script, is not currently involved in negotiations. Kuzui tells The Hollywood Reporter, “Everything has its moment. Every movie takes on a life at some point, and this seems like the moment to do this. “The new Buffy film, however, would have no connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters like Angel, Willow, Xander or Spike. Kuzui and Vertigo are looking to restart the storyline without ruining the story created by Whedon.
Well, I will never say it won’t work. After seeing the new Star Trek movie which was great, clearly, it can be a success if done right, but the original Buffy movie wasn’t really what people liked. It was the television show’s characters that touched something in the fans and created a following. I think that they’ll regret bypassing Sarah Michelle Gellar and the rest of the cast to try a reboot.
I’m not so sure… I agree that they will probably regret not signing SMG on. I think Star Trek had so many different series going on that everyone was okay with the movie being as different as it was. But the TV show Buffy had such a strong fanbase that had the same characters and actors etc that it will be a big shock for everything to be different… Who knows though, right? I’m guessing it’ll be something the true fans will hate and people who have never watched Buffy before will probably enjoy (along the same lines as Star Trek, X-Men, Batman, Harry Potter, the new GI Joe movie coming out…)
never seen this show once but have to agree with both your posts, from people I know who have “followed” it, they’re huge fans of SMG and would, I am sure, wish to see her in the main role…
It’s hard to believe they would do this without at least some of the original characters. It’ll be interesting to hear the reviews on this one.
I am a huge buffy fan. The first movie was alright but the tv show was where it was at. They should bring the tv characters back for the movie. Especially since buffy lives on in season 8 comic books! People are still very interested in the television series and there would be a huge fan base wanting to see it. However I am a big enough buffy fan that I will go see it anyways…Probably want enjoy it as much without the original characters but I still think its cool!
Think this reboot has anything to do with this ‘vampire’ craze?
Wow…directors these days are running out of ideas.
well it was on for 7 years, I think it will deffinatly shit the bed on this one especially changing characters I am most upset about this as I am huge buffy fan I have all seasons of buffy and the 5 seasons of the spin off angel I will not see the movie maybe download but deffinatly not go see it in theatre.