Chloé Zhao surprises fans by directing "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale" reboot pilot, reigniting the beloved series.
Chloé Zhao, renowned for directing Eternals and Nomadland, recently completed work on the pilot episode of the highly anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayerreboot, titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale. The new series is set 25 years after the original, and Zhao’s company has been deeply involved in its development, marking an unexpected yet exciting direction for the project.
In a recent interview with The LA Times, Zhao disclosed this news to writer Josh Rottenberg while discussing her reaction to the reception of Eternals and her upcoming filmHamnet, which explores Shakespeare’s marriage adaptation. Zhao stated,
“I just wrapped the pilot on the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, which is set 25 years later. My company is part of developing it. The fandom is so special to me and I’m excited about how that’s going to go into the world.”
—Chloé Zhao, Director and Producer
Sarah Michelle Gellar Reflects on Joining the Reboot
This revelation from Zhao had almost flown under the radar amid the whirlwind of announcements about the reboot, but Sarah Michelle Gellar, the original Buffy star, had previously expressed her thoughts and experiences with Zhao’s involvement. In February, Gellar shared a heartfelt message concerning their creative collaboration and the reboot’s beginnings.
Gellar recalled a significant moment, saying,
“Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential ‘Buffy’ revival. I was blown away that Chloé even knew who I was, but, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again.”
—Sarah Michelle Gellar, Actress
Despite her initial skepticism, Gellar agreed to meet Zhao, mainly out of curiosity, and what was supposed to be a brief conversation quickly evolved into a long, meaningful discussion. She described the encounter:
Image of: Chloé Zhao
“I eventually agreed to go (mainly just to meet Chloé) and our twenty minute coffee quickly turned into a four hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us.”
—Sarah Michelle Gellar, Actress
Development Progress and Creative Team Behind the Revival
The decision to revive Buffy required several discussions before Gellar and others felt ready to move forward. After some years of development, the project enlisted writersNora and Lilla Zuckerman to bring the story to life. Gellar emphasized the passion and talent surrounding the reboot, stating,
“I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love Buffy as much as I do.”
—Sarah Michelle Gellar, Actress
The reboot’s announcement sparked excitement among fans and celebrities alike. For example, reality TV star and known Buffy superfan Snooki responded enthusiastically with a single phrase:
YAS QUEEN.
—Snooki, Television Personality
Behind the Scenes: Zhao‘s Role and Pilot Shoot Highlights
Fans have been eagerly following the reboot’s progress, and Gellar shared several behind-the-scenes photos from the pilot filming. In these images, Zhao can be seen fully embracing the Buffy legacy, even wielding a classic vampire-slaying stake—a symbol closely associated with the original series.
Snooki, again reacting to these glimpses into the production, commented simply:
Chills.
—Snooki, Television Personality
The Reboot‘s Place in Buffy’s Enduring Legacy
The Buffy the Vampire Slayerreboot arrives with significant expectations, given the original show‘s lasting influence in both pop culture and television history. As long-time fans and new viewers prepare for this next chapter, Zhao’s involvement lends the series a fresh yet respectful direction. Her track record of crafting emotionally resonant and visually distinctive films invites curiosity about how she will shape Buffy’s world decades after its original run.
With Sarah Michelle Gellar returning to support the initiative and talented writersNora and Lilla Zuckerman leading the script development, the reboot promises to honor the show’s legacy while introducing new stories. The pilot’s completion signifies a major milestone as the series moves closer to release, potentially setting a new standard for reimagining beloved franchises for contemporary audiences.
