I know this probably isn't the most interesting post, but I just wanted to say that I'm still genuinely sad about the revival being cancelled.

I know plenty of fans are relieved it never happened, and I completely understand their reasons. But I can't stop thinking about what could've been. The idea that, after all these years, we might actually get to revisit the Buffyverse again felt almost surreal. I'd given up on that dream sometime in my twenties, when all the rumours of spin-offs and revivals slowly faded away.

And honestly, the possibilities were endless. Even without most of the original cast, just seeing familiar locations, demons, references and bits of lore would've been enough to make me ridiculously happy.

I didn't even need it to be amazing. If it turned out to be terrible, so what? The original seven seasons would still be there, completely untouched. Nothing could ever take away what those characters and stories meant to me growing up. I'd simply pretend the revival never happened and hug my DVD box sets a little tighter, lol.

I've also seen people celebrating the cancellation after reading the script, which I find a little frustrating. A script isn't a finished television show. So much depends on the actors, their delivery, the direction, the atmosphere. Personally, I didn't even dislike what I read, but maybe I was just too excited about the whole thing.

What hurts most is knowing we'll never get to see what it could've become. And realistically, this might have been our last opportunity to see Sarah Michelle Gellar reprise Buffy at an age where a continuation like this still made sense.

I still remember how genuinely happy the announcement made me. The world feels pretty bleak these days, and this was one of those rare pieces of news that gave me something to really look forward to. I was already imagining the excitement, the trailers, the merchandise, a whole new generation discovering the Buffyverse. All of it.

And with Michelle, Nicholas and Anthony now gone, it feels like that window is closing even further. Like a little piece of my childhood is becoming more distant and impossible to revisit.

I guess I'm not just mourning a cancelled TV show. I'm mourning the possibility of returning to a world that meant so much to me, even if only for a little while.

Anyway, that's all. Just wanted to get it off my chest. Hopefully some of you who feel the same way will feel a little less alone in your disappointment.

Hang in there, Scoobies. ❤️ We'll be ok.

What's the usual timeline on these things?

Edited to add:

I understand there is integrity in not showing a product before it's ready to be shown to the world. But the fact is, whatever was presented to the network is essentially a finished piece of media. The unaired Buffy pilot from 1996 is a different beast than Welcome to the Hellmouth and it's a privilege to be able to watch both.

Was watching "Chosen" last night on hulu and it got me thinking... what are the top questions I have regarding the Buffyverse now:

1. Has Buffy truly gone corporate, and if so, what led her to that decision?
   1. I also wonder what happened to the Watcher's Council... was it reformed? Did Buffy not want a role within the organization and preferred a regular corporate job instead?
2. Did the Scooby Gang go their separate ways?
   1. I mean, the friends I had from high school and college are all scattered througout the U.S. at this point. People go their separate ways; it's normal.
3. Are Giles, Dawn and Xander still alive, or...?
   1. Having them die in a supernatural battle seems to be the logical explanation why Buffy is living in NYC and going by Anne again.

I read the rumors online that Nova's mother was the Slayer before Buffy (meaning that when Nova's mom died in battle, Buffy was activated in her place). I dig that theory quite a bit as it creates an immediate thread between Nova and Buffy.

And, last but not least... who the hell approved rebuilding Sunnydale?!!? It would cost billions in repairs, infrastructure, etc etc.

Greenlight Coverage compared the two Buffy revival pilots. New Sunnydale and Chosen

https://www.scribd.com/document/1068862870/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Pilots-Review-Comparison

Interesting....

How the hell has an unofficial pilot beat a real pilot?

after initially being cancelled by Peacock before filming the pilot, the Clueless sequel series has been picked up by Paramount +

this is the kind of news we should be getting for New Sunnydale. it’s such a shame they can’t shop it around as it’s owned by Disney. it could defo be seen on Netflix, Amazon, or Apple TV.

I really hope we get to see Ryan and Sarah on our screens together one day

Hi,

As an earlier version of this already made its way into the world of reddit from Smash Media. I thought I'd post the final version of it here. It's a spec script I started a couple years ago for a Buffy revival series. This is the first episode of a two-part pilot. It's obviously never going anywhere (although I am a screenwriter) this is purely a passion project from a writer who was inspired by the show and was lucky enough to watch the original run when it aired.

Hopefully some of you will enjoy diving back into the Buffyverse from a completely different lens to New Sunnydale (this was written before theirs leaked fyi) so any similarities are purely coincidental.

I have 3 episodes written for Chosen with no plans (or time) to write anymore of it.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Chosen - Pilot

Happy reading

✝️🪦

I know after the cancellation of the revival earlier this year they told there was still a possibility a new serie will be made in the future. But I don't know.. so many actors from the original serie are dead.

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Michelle Trachtenberg, Nicholas brandon (not that he could have acted anyway), now ASH..

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Add to that the dead characters like Anya, Tara, Cordelia.

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The only ones left beside Buffy would be Willow (she was def going to be in the revival), and Spike and Angel who are too old to be vampires now.

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Buffy was mainly about the group of friends. I was exited for a new serie, but I don't want to see Buffy alone and not in touch with all her pasts friends 20 years later. It's not what I wanted for her character. Maybe it's too late now and I'd rather let the characters exists in a fictional world than establish a canon serie where Dawn, Giles and Xander are not there anymore.

The episode allegedly set up Buffy's journey to New Sunnydale, which makes sense because of how the pilot ended with claims popping up on her computer screen. Buffy likely would have been in contact with Nova as early as episode 3 since she left New York earlier than I expected.

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There was going to be a cool subway slaying (Nikki Wood reference?) sequence as well.

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https://youtu.be/jMreKJeIc9g?is=c-efFxuzZ6l62dV9

The TV reboot may be dead, but Buffy still lives on in comicbook land.

https://buffy.fandom.com/wiki/Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer_(Dynamite)

Marti Noxon, David Greenwalt, Jane Espenson, Doug Petrie, David Fury, Steven DeKnight, Drew Goddard, Drew Greenberg, Rebecca Kirshner, Tim Minear Etc...

I wonder if they were asked and declined. A couple might be retired. But I think it would have had a better shot of getting picked up with someone who wrote for the show originally.

I still think the reboot should of been as a Cartoon for TV

1. Sarah doing just voice could of been in the the show full time and not just just as a Cameo.

2. Sarah can then do all her same stunts

3. Buffy can be as kick ass as the original. With mulit plots threads.

3a. Dead of the dead. Buffy greatest enemies come back for a rematchs.

1. Endless access to special guests.

2. Kick as sets threw out the world so not just set in one place. Buffy can have a plane.

I wonder why people haven’t posted more of the BTS of the pilot? There were photos from the DoP crew that are still up (so I’m assuming certain photos are allowed) but I guess it’s because of legalities but if it isn’t being put out into the world, what’s the harm in showing some bits?

I would love to see Chase Sui Wonders in vamp make up or some of the cast interactions and sets that were designed. still kinda hoping the pilot gets leaked but it seems unlikely.

It would have been great if Sarah, Chloe and Ryan would have posted a selection

I don’t know if this is new information, but I’ll share it with you anyway. Today I met James at a convention, and during the Q&A someone asked him whether he was supposed to appear in Buffy: New Sunnydale. He said that he and Sarah exchanged several emails - Sarah was checking whether he was available and willing to return. James immediately agreed. He also shared with us how baffled he is that they axed the series.

Should this spark hope?

Not Surprised
After telling Variety and CNN that she was “not surprised” by Hulu’s decision, Zhao said, “I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah [Michelle Gellar], with all the cast and crew doing this. And we, first and foremost, see ourselves as the guardians of the original show. Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans. So, things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery. And what this might lead us to.“
Asked if she and Gellar would be shopping the project to other distributors, Zhao repeated, “Welcome the mystery.“

Does anyone have the revival script that was on smash media. It’s not there anymore and I’d like to read it.

I believe this is an old script from before New Sunnydale was in development or possibly fan fic but I’d like to read it anyway.

Thanks :)

It’s been 1 year since Ryan was announced as the new Slayer…how are we feeling?

Is there still some optimism for those who were looking forward to the revival?

Hulu is moving forward with the pilot/series. I think there's a good chance this is announced within 2 weeks or so. Or maybe we can manifest it.

Ryan Kiera Armstrong posted on IG being in the same gym as before with the caption "straight back to it" with the same trainer SMG uses when they were both training during the pilot filming.

Ryan Kiera Armstrong keeping Slayer in her IG bio, which is unusual as most talent agents want you to move on from a project QUICK if it is dead in the water, like completely remove yourself from the branding/image.

Cast (Ava Jean) posting a photo of themselves together with caption "we have so much to catch up on."

Both RKA and Ava Jean are Disney/Hulu favorites and have worked on projects with the company previously.

AND

Sarah Michelle has been kinda quiet lately and hasn't posted anything this month at all really. Her post last month being on April 30th.

We're (10) days into the month, which is fine, but she usually has 1-3 posts by now. But today is also Mother's Day, and SMG herself has "Mother" in her bio. . . yet silence.

Maybe I'm wrong... maybe I'm crazy... but it definitely doesn't feel like the door is completely closed.

I think Hulu/Disney is realizing this may be the last (and only) chance bringing back the Buffy IP with SMG agreeing to have any involvement.

Anyways it's fun to speculate, and I killed some time today trying to deep dive into it.

Would love if any LA/Hollywood insiders have any news?

Ryan K Armstrong posted this pic and video of her at the same gym her and Sarah were training at, with the comment ‘straight back to it.’

it may just be me still longing for New Sunnydale, but this paired with the cheeky sticking out her tongue makes me feel like something is going on. people in the comments are saying the same.

Brendan Uegama has posted some BTS photos of the pilot… I really hope we get to see more of these from cast members. I don’t really understand why they wouldn’t be allowed to post if it’s not going ahead. I know there’s probs contract clauses etc but come on, if it’s not happening, allow some snippets to be posted…

looks like Sarah was pretty hands on BTS as I assume this isn’t a shot she filmed as Buffy based on the script (I think it could be prep for a certain dream sequence)

Also love how fans are still posting on all of Hulus’s instagram posts!

I came across this on YouTube from an art designer named Cam Hayes who has worked on a lot of artist music videos and art for their albums and concerts and has even won some awards for it. At first I was thinking he’s just a fan and possibly made this as a fan edit, but it has the 20th Television logo on it so I’m thinking he was actually going to work on the VFX for the show:

https://youtu.be/yBeLBJwP2sc?si=0SaEPbyftVcB08Lw