Ever since it was announced that a Buffy The Vampire Slayer reboot is happening, we’ve been excited about seeing the iconic series return, especially because Sarah Michelle Gellar is set to be involved. But after hearing what Disney TV executive Eric Schrier had to say about bringing it together, I have to say, I’m more interested in it coming together.
Eric Schrier, who is the president of Disney Television Studios and Global Original Television Strategy, recently gave a sprawling interview with Deadline about the future of the studio’s television content. And, let’s be honest, there are a lot of reboots in the works, including new shows based on Prison Break, Holes, the Malcolm in the Middle revival with Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston, a Scrubs reboot with Zach Braff and Donald Faison, and a Desperate Housewives reimagining. Here’s what he had to say about Buffy:
In the case of Buffy, it stemmed out of Karey Burke and [Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment Scripted President] Simran Sethi had always wanted to try to figure out a way to reboot that show. Our partners at Searchlight Television, who I work with as well, have a deal with Chloé Zhao. It ends up that Chloé Zhao loves Buffy, so we put them together. And out of that came the idea.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer show came out of a real passion from a group of key creators. As he continued:
Sarah Michelle Gellar has been a part of it from the get-go as well; she is an executive producer. [Executive producer] Gail Berman is back; she’s been behind the scenes trying to pull it all together. We have Nora and Lilla Zuckerman writing it, whom we have a deal with; they’re great.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer was of course created by Joss Whedon, but he’s been under fire for numerous abuse and misconduct allegations in the last few years that even date back to his days on Buffy. However, it’s great to hear some true fans have been hard at work on how to bring the series back to life, and it all came together when they were connected with Oscar winner Chloé Zhao and Sarah Michelle Gellar. The exec also said this:
So that’s just an amazing package that came about organically because we were excited about retelling that story after so much time in a new way. I think all of these reboots come from that idea of, ‘What’s the new way in which we can tell these stories?’ Not ‘Okay, they’re IP and let’s go reboot them.’
Well, that’s good to hear. Of course, I won’t be entirely convinced this is all real until I learn it’s fully in production, but we have heard a few details about the show already. For example, there will be a new teen vampire slayer named Nova, who will also come from a single parent home.
She will have a group of friends that seem to somewhat mirror the Scooby Gang from the original series. Of course, we also are hoping the new series will bring the same signature dialogue and include more original Buffy actors. I love this update, and I can’t wait to hear more.