Fox’s Gary Newman offers update on Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

According to Fox Television Group Chairman and CEO Gary Newman, Scoobies might have to wait a bit longer for the planned reboot of Joss Whedon's BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, though he also assured those belonging to the TCA press corps that the show will be well worth the wait.

“It’s not on an incredibly, fast track, but we’re hopeful,” said Newman, in regard to the status of the show.

Back in June, Buffy fans rejoiced at the announcement of a new series featuring the stake-wielding, quiptastic hunter of things that go bump in the night, especially after it was confirmed that MIDNIGHT, TEXAS creator Monica Owusu-Breen had been crowned as writer, executive producer and showrunner for the project. Oh, but don't worry, Whedonites, Joss is still a part of the picture as he'll be taking on an executive producer role alongside original series’ exec producers Gail Berman, Fran Kazui and Kaz Kazui in addition to Joe Earley from Berman’s Jackal Group. When the show makes its triumphant return, the plan is for the supernatural shenanigans to be led by an African American actress, with the aim of recruiting a more "inclusive" cast of Scoobies for the reboot.

“There’s actually no script to see. We’ve sat down with creators and had conversations with them about it. It’s a very exciting prospect. It’s fairly early. We haven’t pitched it to any possible licensees yet, all of that is still to come. We’re thrilled that Joss has engaged Monica who he worked with on one of his other series. She’s the person who is day to day on it. She has a great take on the show.”

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER made its television debut 21 years ago, and ran for a total of seven seasons throughout its WB and UPN broadcasting history. The show followed a rag-tag group of teens working together to protect the fictional setting of Sunnydale, California from the forces of evil. Throughout the show's celebrated run, Buffy and the gang matched wits and weapons with some of the most vile and vicious creatures ever to rise from the grave. In 1999, a spin-off show featuring David Boreanaz's Angel character made its debut, which ran for a total of five seasons before being laid to rest. Some would even say that ANGEL was "better" than BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, though I'm of the opinion that both had their place.

While it's a bit discouraging that movement on the reboot is slow-going, it is reassuring that the team is taking their time to craft something seemingly worthwhile. With any luck, and a lot of hard work, the world of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER may soon live again for a whole new generation of potential slayers – and that certainly is something worth getting excited for.