Streaming Wars is a weekly opinion column by IGN’s Streaming Editor, Amelia Emberwing. Check out the final entry This One Spider-Man Moment Is Key to Marvel TV’s Success.
Variety has reported that Sarah Michelle Gellar is in remaining talks to reprise her position as Buffy Summers in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival at Hulu. The staff introduced is at present all girls, that includes Nora and Lila Zuckerman to put in writing, showrun, and govt produce, with Chloe Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals) tapped to direct the pilot and function an EP alongside the showrunners. Some former EPs will return as nicely, together with Gail Berman, Fran and Kaz Kuzui, and the Dolly Parton. Notably absent is Joss Whedon, who was largely ousted from Hollywood after repeated allegations of his toxic work environment and mistreatment of his actors. But simply because he isn’t concerned within the property doesn’t imply he gained’t see monetary achieve from the revival.
Every technology could have a selected one, and this technology hasn’t gotten their dose of slayer goodness but however I don’t know, y’all. There’s lots to course of right here, and I’m frightened on a number of completely different fronts about Buffy’s return.
Broadly talking, I’m an enormous proponent of reboots, remakes, and legacy sequels. I get pleasure from new spins on stuff that I really like. Sometimes they’re profitable, generally they’re downright terrible, however I’ll all the time, all the time give them a shot. Typically with enthusiasm, even! I’m not smitten by this Buffy information. I’m, at greatest, trepidatious and, at worst, fully apathetic. I’ve been waffling between the 2 since Variety broke the information of the slayer’s potential return.
Obviously, a part of that trepidation is the Whedon of all of it. Though he might not be creatively concerned within the present, he stays the creator of the character. Will he see royalties from the revival, or did he promote the rights solely? These aren’t questions we have now solutions to but, however it stays on the forefront of my thoughts as we have a look at the opportunity of future slayer outings.
This line of pondering, in fact, brings up the longstanding debate of whether or not or not we must always separate artwork from the artist. From my perspective, I’m joyful to separate artwork from the artist on already current works that have been skilled or bought previous to no matter buffoonery was pulled. My Buffy, Angel and Firefly field units nonetheless sit fortunately on my cabinets. However, separating artwork from the artist doesn’t imply that we’re ethically free to proceed to line dangerous individuals’s pockets through ticket gross sales, streaming, or further purchases. Each particular person decides the place their line is personally, however Joss Whedon won’t be getting any extra of my cash.
The factor is, although, this isn’t the place my issues for a Buffy reboot finish. When I came upon in regards to the information, my first response was “I don’t have the emotional fortitude for this,” and I didn’t imply it in a enjoyable, fangirl-y sort of manner. I’m a agency believer within the energy of fandom and the way it may be used for good. However, it’s not information to anybody that that very energy has been used for sick as a lot because it’s been used for good over current years. I actually don’t know if seeing Buffy Summers again on the small display is value coping with armies of entitled individuals mad over nothing (learn: Whedon’s lack of involvement, a feminine artistic staff, tales centering on girls, updating the slayer’s story to suit into the present time interval, and so forth.) and making it everybody else’s downside. Sure, it very nicely may very well be if the brand new sequence is nice. But will or not it’s?
This isn’t an absence of religion within the creators. The Zuckerman’s have completed admirable work of their tenure ala Poker Face, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and even Suits, and Chloe Zhao has a complete Oscar. Zhao is, admittedly, a bizarre option to direct the pilot given her proclivity for longing panorama pictures, however hey, I belief her!
I even have an absence of religion in whether or not or not there’s a narrative to be advised right here after the unique sequence petered out. Are we actually going to need to spend one other indeterminate quantity of seasons coping with failed Spike redemption arcs? Will sufficient of the ensemble (not you, Nicholas Brendon, Xander died on the best way again to his residence planet) return to re-spark the magic? Will followers have interaction with a narrative the place Buffy Summers is mainly the brand new Giles? What extra does the Slayer actually need to say? It’s too early to have solutions to any of those questions. But, on the finish of the day, I’m fairly positive the response to information of a much-beloved character’s return needs to be pleasure slightly than a easy “I’m drained.”
But, whereas drained, I do, at the very least, hope to be confirmed mistaken.
