The world is drowning in reboots and revivals, but Sarah Michelle Gellar is opting out. We’re not exactly going to try to fight Buffy on this (we would lose — every time). But we do have some thoughts on why her stated reason for why she won’t are actually reasons why we kind of wish she would. Or, rather, it’s a little more complicated than that. You see, we agree with her on one potential do-over but not the other. Out of Amazon’s Cruel Intentions TV series order and the as-yet nonexistent, yet often threatened, Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, we’re kind of jonesing for the latter — but not the former. Let’s break it down.
In an interview with Variety, Gellar fielded the question of whether or not she’d ever pull out the ol’ stakes and crossbows again. Before anyone starts blaming Wolf Pack, it’s not like an actress can’t do more than one genre series at a time. And no, she didn’t mention her latest series as an excuse not to do more of the one we grew up with. So, chill.
Honestly, the girl who saved the world a lot has really thought this through. As far as we’re concerned, she even has the perfect idea for exactly how to do it. But…well. See for yourself:
“I think that the way we left the show was set up for that. There was a reason why the idea was that instead of ‘into one generation there is one Slayer’ why not share the power among women. That’s one of the biggest issues with women is, we so often don’t support the other women around us. And so I think it’s a perfect way to tell the story through a modern lens. I just don’t think it should be me because of those inevitable comparisons. “
(Source: Variety)
First of all, we completely respect Gellar’s choice. We also don’t have any delusions of changing any minds on this — least of all hers. But, just from a purely fandom point of view…wouldn’t including her actually help with our tendency to make comparisons? It’s not like we’d sit back and go “oh, Buffy would have some choice snark for you right now” or “oh, Buffy would’ve done this so much better” if Buffy was literally there to speak for herself. In other words, if she’s there to approve, we’re not arguing. Just saying.
Not to mention, she could be a huge source of support, having genuinely been the first Slayer not to have to do it all on her own in the first place. As in, she could be a mentor of sorts. Kind of like a modern day Watcher, only without using that title because the history there…ain’t great.
Even within that sort of dream universe, though, we definitely agree that Buffy shouldn’t be at the center of it all. We’d love to see this current generation of Slayers feature a much more diverse group, and leaning too heavily on the past wouldn’t give the new kids on the block Hellmouth the equal attention and representation they deserve. On a purely emotional note, too, Buffy Summers earned her retirement and deserves some peace and happiness. Can’t actually have that if averting the apocalypse is, yet again, mainly her responsibility. So, we’re just thinking it’d be nice to know she’s still out there as our generation’s protector. Nothing major.
As far as the Cruel Intentions TV adaptation goes, SMG had basically the same issue in terms of being worried about comparisons. On this one, we don’t really have a creative way to avoid that problem. So, we’re more or less totally fine with keeping her out of it. Besides, our head canon is that her Do Revenge character is basically an adult version of Kathryn, so whatever.
Anyway, like we said. We doubt we’re changing anyone’s mind, least of all Sarah Michelle Gellar’s. But…just some thoughts.
So, would you want to see SMG in the Cruel Intentions show? And what about more Buffy? Yes? No? Maybe? Leave us a comment, and let us know!
