A big-screen reboot of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is moving forward at Warner Brothers. The reboot will be without Sarah Michelle Gellar or Joss Whedon, however.
Whit Anderson is writing the script for the reboot. She has written the script for Jim Carey’s “Yes Man” and says she was a big fan of the show while it was on the air.
Charles Roven, who is working as a producer on the film, says that the property has an “active fan base” who is “awaiting a return” of the property. He also says that Anderson’s take is “pretty compelling and a lot of fun” and that he “saw something special in Anderson’s tone and story.”
“This is a completely new reboot. Tone is extremely important and you want the audience to realize what is at stake and the peril is real, but at the same time what’s going on should be fun and inviting and keep everyone engaged. It needs to be relevant to today, too, and that is what Whit has found a way to do,” Roven tells Comic Book Resources. “While this is not your high-school Buffy, she’ll be just as witty, tough and sexy as we all remember her to be.”
“Buffy” creator Joss Whedon was contacted by E! On-line for his reaction to the news and said the following:
Kristin, I’m glad you asked for my thoughts on the announcement of Buffy the cinema film. This is a sad, sad reflection on our times, when people must feed off the carcasses of beloved stories from their youths—just because they can’t think of an original idea of their own, like I did with my Avengers idea that I made up myself.
Obviously I have strong, mixed emotions about something like this. My first reaction upon hearing who was writing it was, “Whit Stillman AND Wes Anderson? This is gonna be the most sardonically adorable movie EVER.” Apparently I was misinformed. Then I thought, “I’ll make a mint! This is worth more than all my Toy Story residuals combined!” Apparently I am seldom informed of anything. And possibly a little slow. But seriously, are vampires even popular any more?
I always hoped that Buffy would live on even after my death. But, you know, AFTER. I don’t love the idea of my creation in other hands, but I’m also well aware that many more hands than mine went into making that show what it was. And there is no legal grounds for doing anything other than sighing audibly. I can’t wish people who are passionate about my little myth ill. I can, however, take this time to announce that I’m making a Batman movie. Because there’s a franchise that truly needs updating. So look for The Dark Knight Rises Way Earlier Than That Other One And Also More Cheaply And In Toronto, rebooting into a theater near you.
Leave me to my pain! Sincerely, Joss Whedon.
According to Roven, a director isn’t yet on board for the reboot. Warner Brothers would like to have the movie in theaters in 2012 or late 2011.
Wow, um… wow. *Shakes head ruefully*
The series only ended 7 years ago. It’s much too early for a reboot, particularly without Whedon. I don’t care if vampires are the big thing right now. Keep your grubby mitts off my Buffy, WB. Come up with an original idea.
I could see maybe doing a movie about a different Slayer. There are hundreds of them now, after all. And thousands to choose from that they could set in any period of the past or future. (Fray: the movie, anyone? Though I’d want Joss involved in that, too.)
I think it is too early for a reboot.
However, as long as they have a good, creative person running it, I’m good with it. I really don’t understand this attitude that Joss Whedon is the only one who can run Buffy. Don’t get me wrong, he’s great. That doesn’t mean that no one else can do a good job though.
I am nervous about Anderson though…..
Hmm.
So this Buffy will either be in 3D, or the reboot will be something like Giles traveling back in time and changing the past of Buffy. Therewith creating another timeline. And all the past 7 seasons will never have existed.
Simple. They did it with Star Trek (big shiver), and they’ll probably do something similarly stupid again.
@WB: try something new guys. There are enough good SF & Fantasy books and series out there. Why not film some of those. In stead of rehashing old stuff, that hasn’t even had time to die yet. (Not that I didn’t like the old Buffy, mind you)
But this announcement makes me remember the original movie of BtVS.
They had a lot of fun on that one too…………….
Disclaimer: I love Joss Whedon’s work. I do acknowledge though that his style is not for everyone and that includes what he did w/Buffy. I do happen to think that his influences in writing, directing and the overall theme of the show were the secret sauce that made Buffy work though.
Let’s face it, on paper the premise of Buffy sounds like a really dumb idea that no one would watch. Whedon’s sense of humor, character development and ability to wink and nod at the audience and STILL somehow make it all work is what made it successful.
If Whedon were on board, I’d be happy to see the Buffy universe rebooted, rewritten, retconned – whatever. But he was offered this and passed. So for me that tells me right there its probably going to be a great big pile of forgettable horse shit.
This is just a BAD BAD (BAAAD) idea. Buffy without the clever writing and direction of Joss is DOA. He has proved his ability in so many other series. Without him, this will be a disaster.
Whit Anderson has some seriously over-sized shoes that she will never step into properly or as completely as she needs to.
Being a fan of the show, and writing a one-joke Jim Carey film does not make her worthy to set foot on Josses hallowed ground.
I bet they do a “Oh I broke a nail” joke.
What? They’ve already done that one?
Then it is obvious there is NO need for a reboot.
Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Why does it seem like everyone running the studios and networks are idiots>? Oh, right. Because they ARE!
I preferred the Buffy movie with Kristy Swanson to the television show.