Don’t do us fans like that! The Hollywood Reporter is stating that Joss Whedon had the chance to reboot BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER but passed on the project. The internet exploded in anger Thursday at news that Warner Bros. was planning a new BUFFY film without Joss Whedon, maestro of the 1992 film and 1997-2003 TV series. If you recall, Whedon himself fanned the flames, advising fans to “leave me to my pain” in a witty statement.
According to studio insiders, Whedon was approached last year after Buffy rightsholder Fran Rubel Kuzui and husband Kaz Kuzui began developing a remake with Vertigo. After presented with the opportunity, Whedon decided he’d rather work on other projects (he’s making Marvel Studios’ THE AVENGERS). Producers then began searching for a writer and late last year hired actress-turned-scribe Whit Anderson. The unknown Anderson, with only bit film appearances to her credit, came up with a take on the Buffy myth that was strong enough after a couple of drafts to lure Atlas, which partnered with Vertigo to set it up at a studio. Fox, distributor of the 1992 movie, had first crack, but passed, so Warners slid in, betting that Whedon or no Whedon, Buffy can still slay at the box office.
Honestly, I can’t blame Whedon for wanting to move on with his career. BUFFY is such a great franchise that I’m shocked he wouldn’t want to stay on to guide it along its path. I am changing my original stance on this news, now knowing that he passed and also knowing that the writer is an actress with no writing background what-so-ever. I feel a little shocked and abandoned at this news. I can’t say I am not curious how things will shape up but I can’t imagine that the movie will bear an resemblence to how fantastic the TV show was, thanks mostly to Whedon’s talents. What are your thoughts? Since new information has come to light, have you also changed your minds?
Do some more research. Joss has been incredibly flippant about the Buffy reboot, and Whit Anderson worked on Yes Man.
While Whedon may have been flippant about working on reboot since last year (see EW article from 2009) this leads into a new question, why was this then such news that spread over the internet like wildfire, yesterday? According to IMDB, Ms. Anderson has actress ONLY credit on YES MAN. She is listed as having NO writing credit.