A few months ago, rumours emerged that a big screen Buffy reboot was in the works. Vertigo Entertainment was said to be working with Kuzui Enterprises (owners of the rights of the 1992 movie on which the popular TV series was based) on a new version of the poplar franchise.
At the time it all seemed very speculative and in its early stages, as no studio was involved. That appears to have changed, with Atlas Entertainment announcing that they’re now also involved, and so is Warner Bros., with the studio optioning the rights from Kuzui for Atlas and Vertigo to work on. Whit Anderson has also been set to write the script.
“Whit approached us with an exciting idea about how to update Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” says Altlas’ producer Charles Roven. “There is an active fan base eagerly awaiting this character’s return to the big screen. We’re thrilled to team up with Doug Davison and Roy Lee on a re-imagining of Buffy and the world she inhabits. Details of the film are being kept under wraps, but I can say while this is not your high school Buffy, she’ll be just as witty, tough, and sexy as we all remember her to be.”
However there may be an active fan base, but they’re as loyal to Joss Whedon as they are to Buffy herself, so what does the creator of the teen vamp killer think about all this? Well no sooner had the news emerged that a Buffy reboot was in active development than E! got a statement off Whedon, containing his thoughts.
Here’s what he had to say, starting off slightly tongue in cheek: ‘This is a sad, sad reflection on our times, when people must feed off the carcasses of beloved stories from their youthsjust because they can’t think of an original idea of their own, like I did with my Avengers idea that I made up myself.
‘Obviously I have strong, mixed emotions about something like this. My first reaction upon hearing who was writing it was, “Whit Stillman AND Wes Anderson? This is gonna be the most sardonically adorable movie EVER.” Apparently I was misinformed. Then I thought, “I’ll make a mint! This is worth more than all my Toy Story residuals combined!” Apparently I am seldom informed of anything. And possibly a little slow. But seriously, are vampires even popular any more?
‘I always hoped that Buffy would live on even after my death. But, you know, AFTER. I don’t love the idea of my creation in other hands, but I’m also well aware that many more hands than mine went into making that show what it was. And there is no legal grounds for doing anything other than sighing audibly. I can’t wish people who are passionate about my little myth ill. I can, however, take this time to announce that I’m making a Batman movie. Because there’s a franchise that truly needs updating. So look for The Dark Knight Rises Way Earlier Than That Other One And Also More Cheaply And In Toronto, rebooting into a theater near you.’