David Boreanaz Reacts To Hulu's Buffy Reboot Cancellation & Angel's Potential Future

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Buffy Summers

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Source: Screenrant

By Rianna de Bono-Smith & Ben Gibbons

Buffy the Vampire Slayer may not be resurrected after all.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise is a supernatural universe created by Joss Whedon that began with a film in 1992 before the iconic TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, followed by the spinoff Angel, and comic books that redefined a genre as well as being a major series for a lot of young people worldwide.

In an interview with ScreenRant's Ben Gibbons for 2026's Italian Global Series, actor and star of the Angel spinoff David Boreanaz reacted to the news of Hulu canceling the highly sought-after and long-awaited Buffyverse reboot. It was revealed by Gellar that Hulu would no longer be continuing with the series, in a massive shock to longtime fans of the franchise.

I was sad that it wasn't going forward. I know how much love and passion Sarah had put into that, with Chloe Zhao and Gail Berman, and what they had done to get that back into the universe. I was shocked that it didn't move forward. To be honest with you, I had the opportunity to sit with Gail last year before they started shooting it, and she couldn't have been more beautiful of a person. I love Gail. I owe my career to Gail Berman, starting out with the Angel character. It was sad to see, but it just wasn't in the cards.
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However, the actor still holds out hope for a future with more episodes featuring some of the original cast members, and resurrecting a franchise that still remains incredibly popular even 23 years after its final episode aired.

That's not to say that maybe someday it won't reinvent itself somehow. I don't know. That's the beauty of the type of show that this is. It just kind of continues to manifest, and that creates new fans who come and watch it, and they love it. So, it's not going to go away. That's for sure.
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The Buffyverse franchise is a pop culture phenomenon and has become a multi-million dollar empire and has reportedly generated over $100 million in streaming revenue since 2020. Its original run from 1997 to 2003 had seven seasons with 144 episodes with an average of 4 to 6 million viewers per episode. However, the franchise has certainly reawakened either long-time fans or new fans to the series, which continues to be a steady performer.

It was reported Hulu canceled the reboot, titled Buffy: New Sunnydale, as it failed to align with the streamer's vision. Gellar was set to return to executive produce and appear on-screen as a mentor to a new Slayer (played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong). Gellar has not been quiet about her thoughts on the decision to cancel and stated that Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich, who was the ultimate decision-maker, said that he "was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series."

While Hulu may not move forward just yet, there could be hope in the future as Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans will never give up without a fight.
 
Thanks for posting that. I'm a little surprised that David was so invested in the reboot, as I thought he would be the least likely cast member to return. He seems to have moved on the most, with a successful career in other shows, and of course, there's the obvious problem of a vampire aging.

The show does remain really popular, though. Just yesterday, I saw a new "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Find-a-Word puzzle book in a drugstore!
 
Stake fodder said:
Thanks for posting that. I'm a little surprised that David was so invested in the reboot, as I thought he would be the least likely cast member to return. He seems to have moved on the most, with a successful career in other shows, and of course, there's the obvious problem of a vampire aging.

The show does remain really popular, though. Just yesterday, I saw a new "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Find-a-Word puzzle book in a drugstore!
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I think I get it... Buffy is the show that launched his future. It's like being protective about your family and homestead. And it doesn't hurt that I think he's got a soft spot for Sarah, and maybe other cast members/production staff. Angel is a cool character to play. I bet he had a ball being Angel/Angelus/Liam -- and learning his craft while he was at it.
 
Stake fodder said:
Thanks for posting that. I'm a little surprised that David was so invested in the reboot, as I thought he would be the least likely cast member to return. He seems to have moved on the most, with a successful career in other shows, and of course, there's the obvious problem of a vampire aging.

The show does remain really popular, though. Just yesterday, I saw a new "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Find-a-Word puzzle book in a drugstore!
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I dunno if he was invested as such.
He's got a good relationship with Gail Berman and Sarah Michelle Gellar. He was shocked that it didn't happen.
He's gonna be loyal to Berman because she is the one behind hiring him and starting his career. On the DVD Commentary Joss Whedon says the women turned to puddles when he entered the room.

In terms of his career he was successful because he basically played him self in all his shows. Like if you watch Bones as an FBI Agent, how he acts is pretty much the same as how he was on Angel as a Vampire for example. He's also a big good looking guy, so perfect for the Action hero esq roles
 
True,
a great many folk will be disappointed the Reboot is not going ahead,
but consider this,
there has been and is a Buffy Reboot going on, 'In The Watcher Diaries' on Buffy-Boards.com for many years.
 
Oh we'll definitely never give up hope, but the more time passes the less likely we will get returnees when a revival does happen.
 
Tome said:
Oh we'll definitely never give up hope, but the more time passes the less likely we will get returnees when a revival does happen.
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The key is always going to be in the writing rather than the actors imo.

Lets be honest a lot of these revivals don't work. BSG did and TNG and DS9 all did but those were down to Ronald D Moore.

Hell Buffy itself was a revival from a failed Film project but again its the writing.

The writing from this from the leaks looked pretty awful let's be honest
 
Could it be that the name Nova has begun to be known as the slayer after Buffy, could it be that a new film is being written about Nova the Vampire Slayer without the lame film that Buffy had to start with.
 
After this failed launch, I suspect it'll be a number of years before they try again, if ever. And I'm not sure SMG will be attached to the project.

And to be honest, I'm actually relieved it didn't go ahead.
 
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