By GRACE DETWILER
After it was revealed earlier this week that Hulu had ordered a pilot episode of a BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER sequel, fans of the supernatural cult series have been anxiously awaiting news from the slayer herself. Luckily, Sarah Michelle Gellar has graciously let us in on the process of resurrecting the television show that raised a generation of horror fans. Gellar’s statement is included in full below. She is set to return as Buffy in a recurring role, while the series will focus on a new chosen one, penned by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman and directed by Chloé Zhao.
“So….. you might have heard some news this week, but I realize you haven’t heard from me. Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential “Buffy” revival. I was blown away that Chloé 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. I eventually agreed to go (mainly just to meet Chloé) 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. 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. I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit “Buffy” and her world, but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right. 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. 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.”
Gellar is also set to executive produce alongside Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, and Dolly Parton. RUE MORGUE will continue to report emerging details.
