James Marsters on the New BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Reboot: “I Think the World Needs Her”
James Marsters has cautiously weighed in on Hulu’s upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel series. During a recent Instagram livestream autograph session, the actor, best known for playing the fan-favorite vampire Spike, addressed the latest developments, while making it clear he wasn’t about to spill any details.
He said: “It’s not a good thing for me to talk about the Buffy reboot. I’m sorry if you were coming here hoping for some news, but in the interest of having the project be the best it can be, it’s best that I keep my mouth shut right now, so I’m gonna do that.”
While he sidestepped any deep discussion about the reboot, Marsters did share his enthusiasm for seeing Buffy Summers return, saying:
“I think I’m like everybody. I’m very excited that we’re gonna learn more about the journey of Buffy Summers and how she saves the world because I think the world needs her. So I’m gonna do my part by doing nothing right now.”
The upcoming Buffy revival has got a lot of fans excited, especially with Sarah Michelle Gellar returning to her iconic role. We’re all also hoping to see some more familiar faces in the show as well.
The new series will introduce a fresh Slayer protagonist and is set to be helmed by Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals). Writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, along with original producers Gail Berman, Fran Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, and even Dolly Parton, are leading the charge of the expansion of the beloved supernatural saga.
Gellar previously commented on the project, saying: “So… you might have heard some news this week, but I realize you haven’t heard from me.”
“Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential ‘Buffy’ revival.
“I was blown away that Chloé even knew who I was, but, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again. We’d always been aligned on that, but this time I heard something different in her voice.”
Gellar agreed to a meeting, just so she could at least get the opportunity to talk with Zhao. Gellar said that her “twenty minute coffee quickly turned into a four hour adventure.”
She added: “While I didn’t agree to anything at that meeting, I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation. These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea.
“I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit ‘Buffy’ and her world, but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right.”
She concluded: “This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.
“I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love ‘Buffy’ as much as I do. And as much as you do. Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you.”
As a long time fan of Buffy, I’m actually pretty excited to see how this series turns out.