Television pilots are often shelved. However, the tension surrounding the recent attempt to revive Buffy the Vampire Slayer has become unusual. In an interview with People, star Sarah Michelle Gellar suggested the show was canceled because of a specific executive. Now, Hulu is pushing back.
The story behind the development and demise of Buffy: New Sunnydale may ultimately prove more compelling than what the series itself might have offered.
A “Not Perfect” Pilot
Deadline reports that Hulu—which is owned by Disney—ordered a pilot for Buffy last year, following years of development. Gellar was reportedly reluctant to revisit the character she left behind in 2003. However, she said that director Chloé Zhao persuaded her to return, citing Zhao’s “deep love and commitment and passion” for Buffy Summers. The reboot was envisioned as a continuation of the Buffy universe as opposed to a full remake.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the opening credits of the Show – YouTube, MagerMunson
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Rather than serving as the central Slayer, Gellar was set to take on a mentor role for a new Slayer, played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong. A pilot written by Nora and Lilla Zuckerman was filmed. Sources who spoke to Deadline after the project was scrapped described the result as “not perfect.”
However, according to Gellar, the revival was already facing an uphill battle. “We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him,” she told People. The implication was that, regardless of the material, the series lacked internal support.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg as Buffy and Dawn Summers in Buffy The Vampire Slayer – YouTube, Buffy & Spike Channel
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Variety has since confirmed that Gellar was referencing Craig Erwich, the head of Hulu Originals. Sources cited by the outlet said that even after a rewrite, Hulu felt the Buffy pilot was unsalvageable. Additionally, Zhao—despite her passion for the original and her success in feature films—was reportedly not seen as the right fit for a television pilot.
The broader picture suggests that Hulu executives believed they had already invested enough into New Sunnydale and ultimately decided to move on. Ultimately, it may not have been the decision of a single person that put a stake in the Buffy reboot, but rather a collective assessment that the pilot failed to meet expectations.
Buffy’s Future
A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson addressed the decision in a statement on Wednesday.
“We have had a long and very successful relationship with Chloé, Sarah and Gail — their track records speak for themselves and they are incredible partners,” the spokesperson said. “Our decision not to move forward with a series order is not a reflection of our respect and admiration for the creative team, including Lilla and Nora.”
Chloé Zhao at the BFI London Film Festival 2025 – BFI, YouTube
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While there are indications that Hulu remains open to exploring the Buffy intellectual property in the future, New Sunnydale will not be moving forward. More notably, Gellar’s comments suggest a degree of tension with the studio, raising questions about her involvement in any future revival. Her publicist did not respond to requests for comment.
Still, given the enduring value of the franchise, it’s difficult to imagine this being the last attempt to bring a Slayer back to the screen. The lingering question is whether the next version will find something this one seemingly lacked: alignment from the very start.
What do you think of Gellar’s suggestion that the Buffy reboot was canceled because of one Hulu executive? Let us know in the comments!
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