Hulu has left Buffy the Vampire Slayer enthusiasts reeling by axing the highly anticipated reboot, a move that hit star Sarah Michelle Gellar particularly hard. The actress received the devastating news just as she was set to appear at SXSW in Austin to debut her new film, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Gellar expressed shock, stating, "Nobody saw this coming," and lamented the timing, which coincided with director Chloé Zhao's Oscar weekend for her film Hamnet.
Sarah Michelle Gellar at SXSW on March 13, 2026. Gary Miller/FilmMagic
Gellar didn't hold back in her criticism, pointing to a key executive's lack of enthusiasm as a major factor. She revealed that this individual openly admitted to never having watched the full original series and took pride in his disinterest, creating what she described as an "uphill battle" from the start. This dynamic made the project especially challenging for both Gellar and Zhao, who had poured passion into the revival.
Reflecting on her journey, Gellar, now 48, shared that she had resisted returning to the role for years after her iconic seven-season run ended in 2003. It was Zhao's deep commitment and vision that ultimately convinced her to say yes, reigniting her connection to the character. The reboot, titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, was announced in February 2025 with Gellar reprising her role and Zhao directing, promising to introduce a new slayer played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong.
'Buffy' also starred David Boreanaz, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, and Charisma Carpenter. Getty
Despite filming a pilot episode that filled her with excitement, Gellar expressed frustration over the cancelation, emphasizing the emotional and professional toll. She concluded by highlighting the irony of an executive's indifference derailing a project backed by such dedicated talent, leaving fans and creators alike to wonder what could have been.
