The planned Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot will maintain an important aspect of the original series. It was confirmed in early February that Hulu was moving forward with a pilot order for a Buffy the Vampire project that would function as both a reboot and a sequel. Sarah Michelle Gellar would reprise her iconic role as Buffy Summers in a recurring capacity, with the focus turning to a new slayer. Oscar-winning Nomadland director Chloé Zhao will direct the pilot, with Poker Face showrunners Lilla and Nora Zuckerman penning the script.

The Ankler's Lesley Goldberg reports that the Buffy reboot will film in Los Angeles, just as the original series did. Though there has been a movement for film and television productions to remain in Los Angeles, particularly after the devastating wildfires from earlier this year, it's also mentioned that the producers and talent involved felt that L.A. was the right place for the reboot.

What The Location News Means For The Buffy Reboot

It Could Recapture The Original's Look

The original show was filmed almost entirely in Los Angeles, set in the fictional town of Sunnydale, California. Crucial locations in Buffy, including Sunnydale High and The Bronze, used exterior shots from places in California. That extends to the cemetery, the Summers home, and Sunnydale University during the supernatural drama's middle seasons. It's hard to extrapolate too much on what the location choice means for the reboot when all that's known about the show is the executive producers involved, but the sequel series could presumably revisit some of the original's seminal moments.

The Zuckermans will executive produce, as will Zhao and Gellar alongside original producers Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, and Kaz Kuzui. Dolly Parton, an uncredited producer during the original, is also among the executive producers for the 20th Television and Searchlight Television reboot. Franchise creator Joss Whedon is not involved in the project, following the 2021 allegations of misconduct and fostering a toxic work environment.

There has been some speculation among fans that the reboot will take place in Ohio, where there is a second Hellmouth. However, the latest news seems to suggest that, at least for the pilot and the initial episodes, the reboot may well revisit the dangerous town of Sunnydale, California. That does present some challenges, considering how the original ended as a farewell to Sunnydale and an activation of every potential slayer.

Our Take On The Buffy Reboot

Awaiting Cast, Story & Episode Count Details

While the location news is a welcome update, the real hope for the success of a Buffy reboot is in its episode count. After story details and casting, the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer thrived on a 22-episode run for nearly all of its seasons, which allowed the series to flesh out ing characters, try weird ideas, and endear audiences to the Scooby Gang by evolving the focus beyond the narrow narratives that are all too common in streaming. It remains to be seen if the reboot will stick to its original format or conform to the realities of today's television.

Source: The Ankler