Sorry @buffytvs fam, but our Vampire Slayer heroine has died a third time. And this time it was not the Master or a self-sacrificing leap into an energy vortex that destroyed our hopes for a reboot of Buffy The Vampire Slayer starring actress Sara Michelle Gellar.
Gellar herself identified the killer in an Instagram post on Saturday: It was Hulu, which admittedly sometimes feels like an energy-sucking vortex. Especially right now.
She told her five million followers the reboot was deader than the 324 vampires, demons, and several humans slayed by Buffy from 1997 through 2003.
“So I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,” Gellar said in her video. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy New Sunnydale. I want to thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy's stylish yet affordable boots.
“And 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. And this doesn't change any of that. And I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you could still beep me.”
Unless a spell was cast upon you, you will recall that the Chloé Zhao Gellar speaks of is Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao of Hamnet fame. She was hired in February 2025 to direct and executive produce Buffy The Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale. Yes, the same Zhao who brought queerness, sexuality, and intimacy to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Eternals. That Zhao.
Zhao spoke about the project’s demise on the red carpet ahead of Sunday night’s Oscars, telling Variety she was “not surprised.”
“I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah, with all the cast and crew doing this,” said Zhao. “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.”
Zhao threw us a few garlic knots when asked if she and Gellar might now shop the project to other distributors, repeating: “Welcome the mystery.”
From what’s been shared on social media, Zhao reportedly did deliver a pilot, produced by 20th Television and Searchlight Television. Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman were attached to write, showrun, and executive produce New Sunnydale, with EPs Gellar, Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui and — wait for it — Dolly Parton.
Original series creator Joss Whedon — whose career has earned him accolades for queer representation as well as attacks for alleged misogyny, racism and homophobia — was not involved in the reboot.
In addition to Gellar reprising her role as Buffy as a recurring character, the new series was set to star Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the new slayer. Faly Rakotohavana was cast as Hugo, Ava Jean as Larkin, Sarah Bock as Gracie, Daniel di Tomasso as Abe and Jack Cutmore-Scott as Mr. Burke.
A source described as “close to the show” told Variety that despite Hulu’s decision to not move forward with a series, there is still a “lot of love” for Buffy. “Basically, the door is still open,” we’re told. Like the door to hell, maybe?
Clearly and queerly, die-hard fans are disappointed. Philly Gay News editor and self-proclaimed “professional gay” Jeremy Rodriguez lamented the end with a finger-wag at fans who dare to say, “Oh. Maybe the Buffy revival not getting picked up is a good thing. I don’t want it to ruin the original.”
“I read the pilot script,” Rodriguez wrote on Threads on Sunday.“And I can confirm you are wrong. Hope that helps.”
Calling Hulu’s decision “absolutely heartbreaking,” Rodriguez added: “I know there is talk about Hulu reworking it but I really wanted THIS iteration. I worry that corporate politics are gonna ruin Buffy. Chloe Zhao had such a good take on the character and I really hope another network sees this outcry and saves the day.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar “historian” and queer influencer Evan Ross Katz shared Gellar’s post on Instagram with his own take on Hulu’s decision, with his usual (if not a little too obvious) flair for the dramatic:
“A stake to the heart! But the legacy lives on. And nothing can or will change that,” he wrote. “In retrospect, I wish they had held off on announcing the series before it was officially greenlit. Perhaps that was unavoidable. What do I know? Regardless, I’m bummed that we won’t be able to see Chloé Zhao’s vision of Sunnydale come to life or Sarah Michelle Gellar back on our screens.
“Thankfully, I don’t think we’ll have to wait too long for the latter. BUFFY forever!”
Gay hockey player called 'hero' by 9-year-old at NHL Pride Cup Matt Kenny / Instagram Reel 
