Chloe Zhao spoke publicly for the primary time concerning the cancellation of her Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.
Throughout a purple carpet interview with Selection on the 2026 Oscars on Sunday, March 15, Zhao, 43, mirrored on Hulu’s unlucky resolution after creating the reboot’s pilot and making ready to direct and government produce Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.
“I had an unimaginable, unimaginable time with Sarah (Michelle Gellar), with all of the solid and crew doing this. And we, initially, see ourselves because the guardians of the unique present,” Zhao advised the outlet. “Our precedence for Sarah and for us has at all times been to be truthful to the present, to be truthful to our followers. So, issues occur for a cause, and we preserve our hearts open and we welcome the thriller, and what this would possibly lead us to.”
The outlet then requested whether or not Zhao, who was nominated for a finest director Academy Award for her work on Hamnet however missed out to One Battle After One other’s Paul Thomas Andersonwould store the venture “to different distributors.”
Handout/Getty Pictures Earlier this week, Us Weekly confirmed the cult basic tv collection Buffy the Vampire Slayer was in talks for a revival, and now, Sarah Michelle Gellar who performed the titular position of Buffy Summers greater than 20 years in the past, is breaking her silence. Gellar, who has been adamantly in opposition to a reboot for years, confirms (…)
Zhao cryptically responded, “Welcome the thriller.”
Gellar, 48, introduced in an Instagram video on Saturday, March 14, that Hulu determined “to not transfer ahead” with the reboot, which might have seen her reprise her position as Buffy Summers from the WB’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The unique collection aired from 1997 to 2003.
“So I’m actually unhappy to must share this, however I wished you all to listen to it from me – sadly Hulu has determined to not transfer ahead with Buffy: New Sunnydale,” Gellar, 48, stated. “I wish to thank Chloé Zhao as a result of I by no means thought I might discover myself again in Buffy’s trendy but inexpensive boots, and because of Chloé I used to be reminded how a lot I really like her and the way a lot she means not solely to me however to all of you.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
On-line USAZhao responded on to Gellar’s announcement, writing, “Grateful for you, at all times” alongside a tearful smiley face emoji within the feedback part.
Followers had been fast to choose up on the celebs’ interplay, sharing assist for the venture and in addition urging Zhao to discover a Hulu different. “@chloezhao We imagine in you! Please preserve purchasing it round! Buffy followers will assist you to the ends of the earth!,” one fan wrote in response to Zhao’s remark.
Us Weekly confirmed in February 2025 that Gellar would as soon as once more step into Buffy’s sneakers, noting that she would star alongside a brand new vampire slayer portrayed by Ryan Kiera Armstrong.
Gellar advised Us on the time, “It’s extremely emotionally overwhelming. It’s only a place I didn’t know that I might discover myself. Whereas it was new, it was additionally extremely acquainted, and I really feel very fortunate.”
Armstrong, 16, spoke about the venture’s cancellation hours after Gellar’s announcement, taking to her personal Instagram to replicate on fan assist.
“I wished to return on right here and say thanks for all the assist that you just guys have given me and this present all through the final couple months. It’s been actually particular,” she stated in a video. “I additionally wish to say thanks to all of the followers who believed on this new chapter, and who believed in me, so thanks guys. Thanks to the solid I labored with. You guys are superior.”