AceShowbiz - Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer received disappointing news as Hulu has decided not to proceed with the revival series titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale. The announcement came directly from Sarah Michelle Gellar via an Instagram video shared on Saturday.

In her message, Gellar expressed her sadness about the project not moving forward but wanted fans to hear it from her first. She extended her gratitude to Chloé Zhao, the acclaimed director attached to the revival, for reigniting her passion for the character Buffy Summers. "Thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means, not only to me, but to all of you," Gellar said, also reassuring fans that this decision does not diminish her connection to the role or the fans.

As of now, there is no information on whether the series will be pitched to other networks or streaming services.

The revival had already filmed a pilot episode during the previous summer. The new lead was set to be played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong, known for The Lowdown, portraying a cerebral, brainy teen Slayer who was described as being more akin to the character Willow than Buffy herself. The cast also included Sarah Bock (Severance), Ava Jean (Law & Order: SVU), Faly Rakotohavana (Unprisoned), Jack Cutmore-Scott (Frasier), and Daniel di Tomasso (Major Crimes).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale was designed to take place after the events of the original series, with Gellar set to reprise her iconic role as Buffy Summers in a recurring guest capacity. The storyline would have focused on the new Slayer, played by Armstrong, and her own group of friends, often referred to as the new "Scooby Gang," continuing the legacy of the beloved Buffyverse.

The project boasted significant creative involvement from Chloé Zhao, who had earned an Academy Award for directing her 2020 film Nomadland. Zhao was attached as director and executive producer. Other executive producers included Gellar herself, Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, and Dolly Parton. Notably, Berman, the Kuzuis, and Parton were also executive producers on the original 1997 series.

When the reboot was initially announced last year, Gellar addressed fans directly, acknowledging their long-standing desire to revisit the world of Buffy. She emphasized that the revival would only proceed if it could be done correctly, sharing her excitement about working alongside a talented team who share her love for the character and the series. "This will be for you," she promised the fans who had persistently called for Buffy’s return.

Despite the current setback, the passion surrounding the Buffy franchise remains strong. The cancellation of the Hulu revival leaves fans wondering about the future of the Buffyverse and whether another opportunity to explore the next chapter will arise.

Buffy enthusiasts are encouraged to share their reactions and feelings about the news as the story remains open-ended and the fanbase continues to hope for a new chapter in the saga.