Sarah Michelle Gellar has some devastating news for Buffy fans (Picture: Shutterstock/@sarahmgellar)
Sarah Michelle Gellar has made a gutting announcement for all Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans, revealing the upcoming revival has been shelved.
In a video posted on her Instagram, the actress shared that the American streaming platform Hulu had decided not to move forward with the series.
‘So I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,’ she began.
‘Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy: New Sunnydale.’
The 48-year-old screen icon, who had been set to reprise her role as Buffy Summers, went on to express her gratitude for Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao, who was going to direct the show.
‘I want to thank Chloe Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots,’ Sarah said.
Fans are hoping another platform will pick up the series after Hulu dropped it (Picture: Getty Images)
‘And thanks to Chloe, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means not only to me, but to all of you.’
Sarah finished her video with a heartfelt message to her fans, promising to always be there for them as their favourite vampire slayer.
‘This doesn’t change any of that, and I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you could still beep me,’ she vowed.
Fans expressed their outrage and upset over the news, with many commenting on Sarah’s post expressing their hope that another platform will pick up the series.
‘This ruined my whole year. I’ve been waiting forever for a Buffy revival, and I know how much you wanted [it] too. Can any other studio please pick the series and still make it 😢,’ wrote Instagram user gabibluntt.
‘What??? I am devastated! How can Hulu cancel something that they didn’t even have a chance and had so much promise and excitement especially with you and Chloe involved?!? I’m truly perplexed. @netflix pick up this series!!!,’ added dcfilmgirl.
Fellow fan nickverrell commented: ‘@hulu made the worst decision here. @netflix or @primevideo need to get on this because the world needs Buffy.’
‘Honestly feeling heartbroken! No exaggeration 😢💔💔💔,’ tylermaynardd also shared.
Shortly after Sarah posted her video, Chloe commented underneath: ‘Grateful for you, always 🥹🫂.’
The news of the Buffy revival, titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, was first confirmed in February last year after Hulu ordered a pilot for the project.
Chloe Zhao, who’s nominated for an Oscar at this weekend’s ceremony for Hamnet, was due to direct the revival (Picture: Emma McIntyre/WireImage)
Sarah made her debut as Buffy in 1997 (Picture: 20thCentFox/Everett/Rex/Shutterstock)
Sarah shared a lengthy post on Instagram at the time, revealing that she went for a 20-minute coffee meeting with director Chloe to discuss the potential project, which eventually turned into a ‘four-hour adventure’.
‘We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us,’ she wrote in her caption.
‘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.’
Sarah explained that she had been listening to fans for years who wanted to return to Buffy’s world, ‘but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right’.
She continued: ‘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.’
Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran for seven seasons from 1997 until 2003 (Picture: 20thCentFox/Everett/Rex/Shutterstock)
Sarah concluded by thanking the fans ‘who never stopped asking for this’, stating: ‘This will be for you.’
In August last year, Chloe – who’s nominated for an Oscar this weekend for her work on Hamnet – revealed that she had wrapped filming on the Buffy pilot.
‘I just wrapped the pilot on the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, which is set 25 years later. My company is part of developing it,’ she told The Los Angeles Times.
‘The fandom is so special to me and I’m excited about how that’s going to go into the world.’
According to Deadline, following weeks of speculation about the Buffy revival’s pilot, sources claimed that it was ‘not perfect’.
The publication reported that while Hulu decided not to go ahead with New Sunnydale, the streamer has ‘plans to regroup and mull a possible new incarnation of the beloved franchise’.
Metro has contacted Hulu for comment.
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