Does the word “duh” mean anything to you?
It’s the words you’ve been dying to hear. They’re making a Buffy movie. Only it’s without Joss Whedon, Sarah Michelle Gellar or any of the Scoobies. As if!
Director of the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer film, Fran Rubel Kuzui and husband Kaz Kuzui, are working with Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment on a remake/relaunch of the 90’s classic. The Hollywood Reporter says Buffy creator Joss Whedon so far is not involved in the project which is not even far along enough to have a studio attached to it. “While Whedon is the person most associated with ‘Buffy,’ Kuzui and her Kuzui Enterprises have held onto the rights since the beginning, when she discovered the ‘Buffy’ script from then-unknown Whedon,” says THR.
The parties involved believe BtVS lends itself to a relaunch because the framework of the mythos consists of a Slayer born for every generation. “The new ‘Buffy’ film…would have no connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters like Angel, Willow, Xander or Spike. Vertigo and Kuzui are looking to restart the story line without trampling on the beloved existing universe created by Whedon, putting the parties in a similar situation faced by Paramount, J.J. Abrams and his crew when relaunching ‘Star Trek,'” says THR.
So what would a Buffy relaunch actually look like? “The parties are meeting with writers and hearing takes, and later will look for a home for the project,” says THR, “The goal would be to make a darker, event-sized movie that would, of course, have franchise potential.” Kuzui herself had this to say, “Everything has its moment. Every movie takes on a life at some point, and this seems like the moment to do this.”
In the immortal words of Hilary Swank, “Well, it’s retro.” Contrary to what my title suggests I have to say I’m not completely against this. After all, as much as I love SMG and crew, I was gaga for Kristy Swanson first (“You threw a knife at my head!”). Plus, let’s face it, a movie with the TV cast is never going to happen. I can see it now, Swanson and Luke Perry as Buffy’s parents!
Bottom line, I love Buffy as a character and I’ll take anything I can get, providing it’s quality. Hey, if it’s done right we could have a whole new Buffy franchise to look forward to! And let’s not get hasty folks, they never said Joss Whedon wasn’t going to be involved at all, just that he hasn’t been asked yet. Considering they’ve worked with each other for over 15 years I’m sure the Kuzui’s will ask him once they have something more substantial established. Whether he chooses to be involved is another story. What do you think?
I love how everyone is so passionate about this one way or the other.
Randy, well this would be a remake/revamp (haha) of the original film and that came out in 1992, so that's 17 years roughly.
There will most certainly be nerd-rage but I have a feeling even if people are pissed he's not involved they'll still go see it out of curiosity/Buffy love.
Donna, I have a feeling the Twilight mania is one sparked them to make this decision. They think they can cash in on that audience if not the loyal fans.
Patrick, "like Spike giving a villain monologue and then falling into an open grave when he turns away" Loved that scene so much.
As of today I've found out he was finally asked to be involved and said no. http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/06/joss-whedon-buffy-dollhouse-1.html
If they stick to the thought of "A slayer for each generation", then I can see a whole new cast, probably with the same people that were in Twilight (which I personally would avoid). Anyways, if they stick to the phrase, then after they get Joss involved, then maybe they'll have something to work with. I believe Joss brings alot to the film especially after success with Firefly and BtVS. Angel wasn't bad, I haven't even seen Dollhouse. I enjoyed Serenity except for the whole killing off Wash and Book.
Still, if they make it, I'll have to watch just to see if the got it right or if they screwed it up (just like Hollywood does to most of the comic book stuff they put on film).
Anyways, that's my two cents, take it or leave it, but its there.
That’s funny because I was thinking about a ‘Buffy’ remake not too long ago, and now here it is. I must be psychic or something.
If it’s of great quality, I say go for it!
The movie was O.K., never got into the TV series, didn’t understand the appeal, but that’s just me.
Sounds like they’re trying to milk a cash-cow, but with this economy, I don’t blame them.
Well, I got hooked on Buffy because of the writing – the dialogue even more than the plot. There are games that Whedon and his writers play that most shows don’t. Undercutting a serious moment with a gag (like Spike giving a villain monologue and then falling into an open grave when he turns away) and things like that. Those techniques have been used in most of the Whedon shows to good effect. Without Whedon, I suspect that a Buffy movie would be just another action/vampire flick.
Really, I think a reboot of the property without Whedon’s touch would largely alienate the property’s fanbase, especially since were still so close to the original material. It’s nice to have a comment thread that didn’t immediately start flaming the idea, though.
I think it’s worth exploring. They have the rights and are exploring options for a reboot. The cast of the show is too old for the concept now so it makes to open the doors and see who has a unique take on the subject.
The pair obviously recognize talent. They saw the potential in Whedon’s script and let him run with it TV.
I hope no one here really believes there are no other talented writers in the world besides Whedon!
If that’s true, most of us, including myself, should hang up our pencils or laptops and give up now.
I was amazed at how entertaining the movie was when the direction was so inept. Their strength is obviously recognizing what people can do and letting them do it. The actors and the script in that movie make it work despite he bad lighting, editing and unimaginative shooting.
So why not see who might be able to bring something fresh to the concept?
Fans hate change until they see something cool and then they just want that new thing to stay the same forever.
Let’s see what they come up with.
I’ll have to adopt and “wait and see” attitude about this one. On the one hand, I’m loyal to Whedon. On the other, like you, I did like the movie before I liked the show, and they’re really two different animals. In the TV series, Buffy grew out of being a vapid cheerleader after the first season or so. So a movie that goes back to those roots, with a 21st century sensibility, could have potential.
As for Joss, he’s always said that the clever/dark TV show he created was the vision he had for the movie. So I wouldn’t blame him for not being interested in a campy remake … yet a campy remake could be very entertaining — “Bring It On” meets “Twilight”. There’s probably room for both visions.
I don’t know… I feel very hesitant but can feel a potential for excitement here. As with most things, it really all depends on how its done. If its along the par of the original movie, then that will be a waste of a relaunch (there is a special place for that first movie, but only for cult’s sake). But if it veers toward a more mainstream, shiny,if not darker, blockbustery type of movie, it may not be too bad. I also think they’d have to come up with an entirely new storyline and format, try to stay as far away from the SMG-verse as possible.
I would wonder about the target demographic. Original Buffy fans like us would most likely have the most interest. The new generation of teens has Twilight and probably considers that vampire mythology to be THE vampire mythology and may not be into a new one. Then again, may be they will be.
Either way, I agree that Joss would have to be involved on some level, even if only as consultant. Frankly I’m shocked he doesn’t own the rights. That’s really sad.
I do not aprove! nor does it really matter what I think… but still….
I don’t know, man. If they can’t get Whedon on board, they’ll be overwhelmed by the nerd rage.
If they bring a non-Whedon, non-BTVS-cast movie to SDCC, the whedonverse fans may club them to death with plastic maces.
We still have reruns of Buffy here in the Philippines on a local cable network. A new movie would be interesting and would like to
Sarah Michelle Gellar on the big screen!
Live long and prosper!
Gil
The Star Trek relaunch works because so much time has passed. Like 30 years. How long has it been since Buffy went off the air? Five?
It’s too soon for a remake.
Why not just a continuation with all new characters? I think that is the better bet.
Rofl at that poster.
Okay, I’m not really up for this. Like, at all. Especially if Joss ends up not being a part of it – if he does, then maybe I’ll reconsider.
Just because you have the rights to it because you found Whedon waving the script does not mean shit regarding anything. Sure, you have the rights, so you can do it, but that’s not the same thing as you have the rights, go-for-it-because-you’re-the-expert-and-we-support-you-yay, to try to revamp (no pun intended) the whole damn original concept. So I vote no on this one, at least for now. :/