21 years after it first entered the cultural lexicon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is being rebooted for a new generation. Series creator Joss Whedon will executive produce the series, which is being written by Monica Owusu-Breen. Owusu-Breen previously worked on Agents of Shield, in addition to developing and showrunning Midnight, Texas on NBC. A woman of color leading the series? All of the yes.
In addition, Whedon and Owusu-Breen are casting a black actress to take over the titular role once inhabited by Sarah Michelle Gellar. No casting announcements have been made yet (although if Sarah Michelle Gellar wants to swing by as a Watcher I wouldn’t be mad). 20th Century Fox is developing the show, which has yet to land at a network.
As a BtVS fan, this news is obviously very exciting. While the original series will always lay claim to my heart, there are elements of the show that have not aged well. Mainly, it’s glaring whiteness and Xander’s toxic nice guy syndrome. Also, all of Willow’s sweaters. Fans online have reacted to the news of a new, inclusive Buffy, and are questioning whether a reboot is necessary at all:
I loved Buffy. But you know what else I love? When Hollywood looks at new stories by people of color instead of rebooting old ones and changing the casting.
— Lilliam Rivera (@lilliamr) July 21, 2018
That said, please remake Quantum Leap with Niecy Nash.
— Emily Nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) July 21, 2018
Yes the Buffy reboot is a truly terrible idea — unless Bianca Lawson grasps her true destiny and plays HER OWN DAUGHTER. Kendra Jr. Vampire Slayer. 40-year-old Bianca Lawson as a high school sophomore. Give me that and my heart is yours.
— Heather Hogan (@theheatherhogan) July 21, 2018
Next to Doctor Who, there is no franchise easier to expand on than Buffy. With a new slayer born into every generation, there are plenty of untold slayer stories, many of which have appeared in the spin-off comics series. A period piece vampire slayer show would be exciting (World War 2 slayer killing vampire nazis? Shut up and take my money) or they could adapt future slayer Melaka Fray into a series of her own. And with the activation of all the potential slayers in the original series finale, there are countless stories to tell. Instead of rebooting Buffy, maybe it’s time to pass the scythe onto a wholly new and original character.
What do you think of the Buffy reboot? Are you quaking in your stylish yet affordable boots?
(via Variety, image: FOX)
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