'Buffy' Reboot Reports Get Mixed Reaction From Fans Of Original Show

The revival will feature a black actress in the lead role, according to reports.

Fans of the original ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ series are divided on social media over plans to reboot the series with a more diverse cast.

As claimed by The Hollywood Reporter, original ‘Buffy’ creator Joss Whedon will executive produce the new series, which will serve as a reimagining of the classic show, with a black actress in the lead role.

Monica Breen, who worked with Joss on the Marvel show ‘Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’, has been tipped to both write the new series and serve as executive producer.

Sarah Michelle Gellar in the original 'Buffy'
Sarah Michelle Gellar in the original 'Buffy'
Getty Images via Getty Images

The original ‘Buffy’ ran for seven series, and garnered a cult following, many of whom have voiced their discontent with the idea of a new series…

why not just make a spin-off called "insert name here the vampire slayer" & bring back old buffy characters for cameos... expand the universe w/o trampling on it https://t.co/CxsXJhWWVi

— ✨ (@wittymargo) July 20, 2018

One quick glance on twitter and it seems 98% are against a Buffy reboot. Please @joss, if you must, do a spin off. A brand new slayer. Then it could even feature some of the original scoobies. Don’t disrespect the characters and actors we all grew up with for a quick buck.

— Jo (@ChaosBubble_) July 21, 2018

We don’t need to cling to one beloved character when the mythology allows for a whole new diverse cast of heroines. It would be lazy to just recast Buffy when there’s an opportunity to create a kickass original PoC character (especially when the show’s record on race is icky).

— Philip Ellis (@Philip_Ellis) July 21, 2018

Also, I’m not interested in seeing a black slayer take on the role of Buffy or even seeing gender and race bent reboots. It’s boring and insulting. We deserve our own mythology.

— Angelica Jade (@angelicabastien) July 20, 2018

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

BAD IDEA.

I’m all for some BUFFY spinoffs, with diversity and great representation and telling interesting stories with their own new spin on the mythology of the buffyverse, but don’t reboot what Buffy was (the greatest television show of all time). https://t.co/7R8y4CC4yT

— space ace dad (to be) (@TheConorHilton) July 20, 2018

Instead of a black Buffy how about you just so a story of another black slayer? Even better how about we just let black creators make their own things. L.A Banks has a whole ass vampire huntress series, Joss did not invent vampire hunters. pic.twitter.com/ZAv593IoeM

— Princess “Bisexual Vampire” Weekes (@melinapendulum) July 21, 2018

No, a reboot with a Black Buffy is is such a lazy and unneeded idea. CREATE SOMETHING NEW. https://t.co/zwhB6n8Ua8

— Evette Dionne 🤷🏾♀️ (@freeblackgirl) July 21, 2018

I’m all for inclusivity and diversity in casting but #Buffy is Buffy. This isn’t like Green Lantern or Spider-Man or the Doctor or Iron Man where it’s a title for a character who CAN change. Buffy will always be Sarah Michelle Gellar. We just need a spinoff. Please don’t ruin it! pic.twitter.com/ufqkljoagg

— Gay Jesus (@SimonSFranklin) July 21, 2018

i liked that they want it to put a black woman as buffy but guys, sarah michelle gellar is buffy, and she will always be THE buffy, just make another tv show with a new storyline and a whole new slayer

— bruu (@willsandgrace) July 21, 2018

However, others are on board with the idea, particularly the thought of a black actress taking centre stage on the new show…

I’m still thrilled about the Buffy TV reboot. It doesn’t have to be for me. Into each generation, a Slayer is born.

— Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) July 21, 2018

And props to the three black slayers we got on Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s original run: Nicki Wood, Kendra Young and Rona pic.twitter.com/iHjSLNPGGg

— Justin Frac (@JustinCentric) July 20, 2018

They’re making a revamped BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. My old version of BUFFY will still exist and still be awesome and this new one could also exist and be awesome at the same time! See how I did that, Ghost bros?

— Amanda Jeronimus (@burningberry) July 20, 2018

Re: Buffy reboot. Buffy is one of those rare characters who will stand the test of time like Sherlock Holmes. My generation was lucky to get her at the beginning. Now it’s time for someone else to tell another version of her story. And that’s ok.

— Whedonesque (@whedonesque) July 21, 2018

Let’s all remember that the 1997 television series was a reboot before all the discourse because believe me when I say that I have got time for all of you precious gatekeepers.

— bussy summers (@Conortroversial) July 20, 2018

“Like our world, it will be richly diverse, and like the original, some aspects of the series could be seen as metaphors for issues facing us all today.”

You guyyys this has the potential to be really special in the way Buffy was for audiences in the 90s. I’m already all in.

— bussy summers (@Conortroversial) July 20, 2018

At first I was scowled and rolled my eyes at the idea. Then I read there is a female showrunner planned and they want a black lead. Now they have my attention. Whedon's only involvement would be as a producerhttps://t.co/K383nZiDsC

— Sahoni (@Sahoni_Stuff) July 21, 2018

The Hollywood Reporter has said that no director or casting decisions have been made yet, pointing out that, as in the original ‘Buffy’, aspects of the show’s mythology are expected to serve as metaphors for issues in contemporary society.

Ending in 2003, ‘Buffy’ made a household name of its lead actress, Sarah Michelle Gellar, as well as launching the careers of supporting cast members, such as David Boreanaz, whose character later earned his own spin-off, and Alyson Hannigan, who went on to achieve success in the ‘American Pie’ franchise and the sitcom ‘How I Met Your Mother’.

Fox TV’s Gary Newman recently referred to ‘Buffy’ as the network’s show most “ripe… for a remake”, noting: “It’s something we talk about frequently.”

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