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Sarah Michelle Gellar took to Instagram to share some disappointing news with her fans: Hulu has decided to cancel plans for a reboot of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” The announcement came as a surprise to many, including Gellar herself, as she expressed her sadness over the decision.
The 48-year-old actress had been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to once again step into Buffy’s iconic, yet affordable, shoes. Her Instagram video, posted on a Saturday, revealed a more somber side of the typically vibrant star.
In the video, Gellar appeared in a beige cardigan with her light blonde hair pulled back, candidly informing fans that the Disney-owned streaming service had opted not to proceed with the reboot, which was to be titled “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.”
As reported by TMZ, both Sarah Michelle Gellar and the reboot’s director, Chloe Zhao, were caught off guard by the sudden decision and its timing, leaving them feeling blindsided by the unexpected turn of events.
According to TMZ, Gellar and the reboot’s director Chloe Zhao felt ‘blindsided’ by the recent development as well as the timing.
Gellar, who celebrated husband Freddie Prinze Jr’s 50th birthday earlier in the week, appears in the upcoming comedy-horror film Ready of Not 2: Here I Come, which garnered strong reviews after its SXSW (South by Southwest) premiere in Austin, Texas on Friday.
Sarah Michelle Gellar wanted fans to hear it from her first – Hulu has scrapped plans for a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot – and she’s ‘really sad’ about it
The 48-year-old actress and director Chloe Zhao felt ‘blindsided’ by the Disney-owned streamer’s decision to shelve the new series titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale (pictured is Gellar with original series cast members (L to R) Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter and Nicholas Brendon
Zhao’s film Hamnet has earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay). The director co-wrote the film with Maggie O’Farrell, on whose 2020 novel the movie is based.
Gellar spent a moment to thank Zhao in her message.
‘Thanks to Chloe, I was reminded how much I love (Buffy), how much she means not only to me but to all of you, and this doesn’t change any of that,’ she said.
‘And I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.’
Fans had similar reactions in the comments section with one writing, ‘This is the most disappointing entertainment news of the year. We love you and will follow you anywhere.’
A second chimed in, ‘I am devastated.’
‘What??? I am devastated! How can Hulu cancel something that they didn’t even have a chance and had so much promise and excitement especially with you and Chloe involved?!? I’m truly perplexed,’ a third vented, adding that Netflix should ‘pick up this series!!!’
The new Buffy the Vampire sequel series was announced in February 2025. It was to star Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the new slayer and had Gellar slated to return as a recurring character.
Gellar – pictured with David Boreanaz, (L), and Brendan, (R), in a still from the original series – had been looking forward to continuing Buffy’s legacy in the reboot that had Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the new slayer
The shocking development comes on the heels of Gellar’s appearance at the SXSW premiere of her new comedy-horror film Ready or Not 2: Here I Come on Friday
The star continues to make positive headlines with her enduring nearly 25-year marriage to actor Freddie Prinze Jr (pictured in July 2025)
The longtime couple are parents to two children, daughter Charlotte Grace, 16, and son Rocky James, 13 (pictured on Instagram)
The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a hit and cultural phenomenon. It became a huge success for the WB Network for its witty writing and Gellar’s strong and complex lead character.
The series, which was based on the 1992 film starring Kristy Swanson in the titular role, began in 1997 and aired for seven seasons.
Gellar, meanwhile, has continued to make headlines in other areas of her life, specifically her enduring nearly 25-year marriage to actor Freddie Prinze Jr.
The couple were friends first after meeting on the set of 1997’s I Know What You Did Last Summer and then dated two years before tying the knot in 2002.
They are parents to two children, daughter Charlotte Grace, 16, and son Rocky James, 13.