Chloé Zhao Responds to Hulu Cancelling ‘Buffy’ Reboot
Chloé Zhao has responded to the cancellation of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot, which had been planned for Hulu. The news broke from Sarah Michelle Gellar on Saturday. After filming a pilot titled “New Sunnydale,” Hulu opted not to move forward with the project.
Details of the Reboot
The reboot was initially announced in February 2025. It was set to feature Ryan Kiera Armstrong in the lead role as the new slayer. Zhao was both directing and executive producing the series, developed under 20th Television and Searchlight Television.
Cast and Crew
Alongside Gellar, who reprised her iconic role as Buffy, the pilot featured a talented cast:
- Ryan Kiera Armstrong
- Faly Rakotohavana
- Ava Jean
- Sarah Bock
- Daniel di Tomasso
- Jack Cutmore-Scott
Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman were onboard as writers and executive producers, but the original creator Joss Whedon was not involved in this iteration.
Zhao’s Reaction
During an interview with Variety and CNN on the Oscars red carpet, Zhao expressed her lack of surprise regarding Hulu’s decision. She emphasized her dedication along with Gellar and the crew to honor the legacy of the original “Buffy” series. “We see ourselves as guardians of the original show,” she noted.
Zhao added that they will continue to “welcome the mystery” regarding the project’s future. “Things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open,” she stated, hinting at the possibility of shopping the reboot to other platforms.
The Legacy of Buffy
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” originally premiered in 1992 as a film, directed by Fran Kuzui, with a screenplay written by Whedon. A series adaptation debuted in 1997 on The WB. This successful show ran for seven seasons, concluding in 2003.
Despite the setbacks with the recent reboot, sources indicate that there remains strong affection for the franchise, and Hulu may explore future possibilities with the intellectual property.
“Thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love [Buffy] and how much she means not only to me but to all of you,” Gellar stated in a heartfelt message on Instagram. She reassured fans that this cancellation will not diminish their connection to the character or the series. “If the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me,” she humorously concluded.
