In every generation there is a chosen one – again.
Variety Has learned from sources that a follow -up series to the beloved show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is approaching a pilot order at Hulu.
Sources say that Sarah Michelle Gellar is in last conversations to play the iconic title character in the Untitled project again, although it would concentrate on a new Slayer and Gellar would appear in a recurring role instead of leading the series.
Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman are attached to write, showrun and executive products. Chloé Zhao is attached to direct and executive products under its Book of Shadows Production Banner. Gellar would also produce Executive together with Gail Berman. Fran Kuzui and Kaz Kuzui will produce Executive via Suite B, while Dolly Parton Executive will produce via Sandollar. 20th television and searchlight will produce television. Berman, De Kuzuis and Parton were all executive producers in the original “Buffy” series.
Representatives for Hulu and the 20th TV refused to comment.
Noticeably absent in the creative team of the show is Joss Whedon, who created the original series and supervised his seven-season run. When Variety Reported in 2021, Whedon was accused of creating a poisonous working environment on both “Buffy” and the spider -off series “Angel” by almost a dozen people related to the show.
“Buffy” and “Angel” actress Charisma Carpenter also expressed himself against Whedon, with fellow cast members such as Amber Benson and Michelle Trachtenberg who support her allegations. Whedon responded to those and other allegations against him in January 2022, and admitted that he had been ‘not much’ with carpenter but otherwise said: “Most of my experiences with charisma were delicious and charming.”
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” originated as a film with Kristy Swanson in the title role. Whedon wrote the film with Fran Kuzui Directing. It was released in 1992. Five years later, the Serieversie debuted with Gellar on the WB. It would be broadcast on his first five seasons on the WB before it broadcasts his last two seasons on UPN. The cast also included Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green and James Marsters. Boreanaz would then go up the spin -off series “Angel” on the WB for five seasons.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” has proved to be a huge cult and very influential since the debut. The series is credited for making continuous story arches in television, while also building up a show around a strong feminine leading role. It is often mentioned as one of the best television shows of all time.
Whedon previously wrote a series of comic books with Dark Horse that continued the story of the series, although no new ‘Buffy’ project once made the screen. It was recently reported in 2018 that Monica Owusu-Breen was working on a reboot of the series with Whedon on board as an executive producer. In the end, that version of the project never improved.
Gellar can currently be seen in the Prequel series “Dexter: Original Sin” on Paramount+ with Showtime. Although she is perhaps best known for her time on ‘Buffy’, Gellar’s other remarkable TV credits Paramount+’Wolf Pack’, CBS ” The Crazy Ones’ opposite Robin Williams, and the ‘Ringer’ of the CW. In Film she played in functions such as ‘Cruel Intentions’, ‘I know what you did last summer’, the two live-action ‘Scooby Doo’ films, and ‘The Grudge’.
The Zuckermans were the show runners in the popular Peacock series “Poker Face” with Natasha Lyonne during the first season of the show. Their previous credits include “Prodigal Son” and “Fringe” at Fox, “Agents of Shield” at ABC, “Suits” at USA Network and “Haven” at Sypy. Variety Exclusively reported that they are also connected to a series of adaptation of the novel “The Spy Coast” that is currently in the making of Amazon.
Zhao received four Oscar nominations for its 2020 film “Nomadland” starring Frances McDormand -best director, best editing, best adapted scenario and best photo. Zhao won the best director with “Nomadland” that best photo that year won. Zhao is also known for her films “The Rider” and “Songs My Brother taught me”, which she also wrote and directed. Zhao was also the director and co-writer of the Marvel film ‘Eternals’.
Gellar is reputed by CAA, Linden Entertainment and Yorn Levine Barnes. The Zuckermans are being reputed by Uta and Lichter Grossman. Zhao is being reputed by CAA, Ilene Feldman Management and Lighter Grossman. Berman is being reputed by Ziffren Brittenham.
If the follow -up show continues, this would be the latest series revival to find a home at Hulu. Hulu recently gave a pilot order to a restart of ‘prison holiday’. The streamer is currently being broadcast new episodes of the animated comedy of adults “Futurama”, while a new episode of “King of the Hill” is currently in the making.