In every generation, there is a chosen one, and for Disney’s upcoming reboot of Joss Whedon’s coming-of-age series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, that mantle will be taken up by a new face. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew alumnus Ryan Keira Armstrong has been cast in a lead role in the pilot opposite original star Sarah Michelle Gellar, who is set to return as Buffy Summers.
Plot details are under lock and key, but the show will reportedly focus on a new slayer and bring Buffy back as a recurring mentor figure rather than the central protagonist. The specifics of Armstrong’s character were also not shared, except for a brief liner describing her as “an introverted high-school student” (via Deadline).
“From the moment I saw Ryan’s audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side,” Gellar said. “To have that kind of emotional intelligence and talent at such a young age is truly a gift. The bonus is that her smile lights up even the darkest room.”
Oscar winner Chloé Zhao (Marvel’s The Eternals) is directing the pilot, written by Poker Face showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman. Gellar serves as executive producer on the project, alongside original staff Gail Berman, Fran and Kaz Kuzui, and Dolly Parton. More notably, it will be the first live-action revival for Buffy the Vampire Slayer in over 20 years, following its conclusion in 2003.
The series originated as a 1992 film, starring Kristy Swanson as the eponymous vampire slayer. Gellar took over the role on TV for seven seasons starting in 1997, with Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, James Marsters, and more rounding out the cast.
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot has no release date.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
