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Joss Whedon reacts to E! Entertainment:
This is a sad, sad reflection on our times, when people must feed off the carcasses of beloved stories from their youths — just because they can’t think of an original idea of their own, like I did with my Avengers idea that I made up myself.
Obviously I have strong, mixed emotions about something like this. My first reaction upon hearing who was writing it was, “Whit Stillman AND Wes Anderson? This is gonna be the most sardonically adorable movie EVER.” Apparently I was misinformed. Then I thought, “I’ll make a mint! This is worth more than all my Toy Story residuals combined!” Apparently I am seldom informed of anything. And possibly a little slow. But seriously, are vampires even popular any more?
I always hoped that Buffy would live on even after my death. But, you know, AFTER. I don’t love the idea of my creation in other hands, but I’m also well aware that many more hands than mine went into making that show what it was. And there is no legal grounds for doing anything other than sighing audibly. I can’t wish people who are passionate about my little myth ill. I can, however, take this time to announce that I’m making a Batman movie. Because there’s a franchise that truly needs updating. So look for The Dark Knight Rises Way Earlier Than That Other One And Also More Cheaply And In Toronto, rebooting into a theater near you.
Leave me to my pain! Sincerely, Joss Whedon.
MONDAY NOON: But where is Joss Whedon? Atlas Entertainment is announcing today it is rebooting Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with Warner Bros Pictures. Atlas’ Charles Roven and Steve Alexander will produce the feature film alongside Doug Davison and Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment Bros. Whit Anderson is writing the script after she approached Roven and others with an idea how to update Buffy. “While this is not your high school Buffy, she’ll be just as witty, tough, and sexy as we all remember her to be,” an insider says.
Warner Bros Pictures optioned the rights from creators Fran and Kaz Kuzui, and from Sandollar Productions (Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton), for Atlas and Vertigo to produce. Buffy the Vampire Slayer first appeared as a film in 1992, subsequently becoming a cult hit and spawning the TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz. Whit Anderson is represented by CAA, Wirehouse Entertainment and Julian Zajfen at Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie & Stifflemen.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Sadly for them the fan base that wants this… doesn’t want people other then those from the Whedon producing team to touch the property. If Warner Bros and Atlas want a successful film franchise then they will have to go to the team that made it the TV cult classic it is and not simply someone who thinks they can write Buffy.
Exactly. The first film was not a huge success. In fact, it stunk. Only in hind-sight can we look back and say ‘haha, what a campy film!’. The TV show is what people think of when you say “Buffy”. Buffy=Whedon. You won’t get people to come see the movie without those fans on board. Waste of money, WB.
You’re crazy. The first film was good even at the time, not in hindsight.
I can’t say that I am perticularly interested in seeing another Buffy unless it is being written and produced by Joss. Buffy means nothing without the genius behind the bombshell.
I agree… I have only one word, “NO!”
While I understand that “rebooting” Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a new cast, writer, director is just part of the game…As someone who watched the show for 7 years with my daughter sa she grew up…trying to reboot WITHOUT the essential characters and the basic”Canon” of the story is just STUPID and self defeating…you can not have “Buffy” without Willow, Giles, Xander, Dawn etc., any more than you would produce Harry Potter without Hermoine and Dumbledore, Lord of the Rings without Gandalf, Superman without Krypton, Lois Lane or at Least Lana…
Think- with all the success with adapting as close as possible with LotR, Twilight, Batman…what can you be thinking!?
You can “reboot” without Whedon, Sarah, Rupert and Marsters…but you CANNOT cut out the core characters….
We are your target market….well-off, with teen age children, fans but not fanatic- I understand changes, rebooting etc., regret it but open to giving it a chance….BUT we will not spend a dollar if you dump the actual core of Buffy- the relationships that devloped in the series…
WARNER BROS’ FRANKENSTEIN ATTEMPT TO RECREATE STEPHENIE MEYER
The GREATEST INSULT is the Warner Bros’ GENDER WAR for women fans. It does not matter whether you are Twilight fan or not, hiring an actress to write the screenplay for Buffy (just to give the project a female writer) is an insult to female audience members. Why not hire a female screenwriter, because the company wants to hire the woman THEY WANT not accidentally end up validating women as screenwriters. To be clearer Meyer was the book series writer, Melissa Rosenberg was the screenwriter for the films. Obviously we need to wait to see who the female director is that Warner Bros will hire to simulate Director Catherine Hardwick. Some may be amazed how petty creativity can be pertaining to Hollywood decision-making.
For more information:
http://thwi.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/female-film-fans-unite-attack-of-the-trojan-vampire-2/
Good luck with this… They’re not just rebooting a franchise, they’re rebooting a fanbase. Starting from scratch like that does not the franchise make.
What an absolutely terrible idea. I was not even that big a fan of the TV show but even I knew it was something special and a bit of lightning in a bottle with that cast and crew. You remember that show Warner Brothers?…The one that ended only seven years ago and is widely available in syndication and on DVD? I guess you don’t if you are stupid enough to believe it is time for a rehash…retread…ripoff…oh I’m sorry, I mean reboot.
I really don’t like actively routing against projects but here I will make an exception. I look forward to its failure.
1) “after he approached Roven…” – I think he’s a she but whatevs.
2) This is going to be a disaster.
I can’t understand why the first one didn’t win an Oscar.
How does Roy Lee get work? No originality. No talent. Unlikable.
Also, his last film for Warners was Invasion a mega flop. Are they nuts?
Sadly no. They gave the guy a deal and he is trying to do the Hello Kitty movie. I kid you not.
Unlikeable is the reality. I heard Legendary already told him they don wish his input on Godzilla repuke
to be fair, most people in this town aren’t all that “talented”. It’s just the most resilient and hard working. I could be wrong though. *KANYE SHRUG*
BUFFY only succeeded as a TV series by appealing to a relatively small but incredibly devoted young audience, and the only real appeal of another movie would be one starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and the cast of the TV series.
But maybe Whit Anderson has a really boffo reboot idea…
Buffy doesn’t really need to be updated, the character drama was pretty edgy if safe for network Tv. If you want to keep up with the mythology, look at the comic book season 8!
Whit Anderson is a woman. Something to look into.
What the hell is a ‘Whit Anderson’?
LMAO! XD
I’m guessing it’s a she. And that she’s hot.
A “Whit Anderson” is the kind of name you give yourself after attending those cheesy pay per review screenwriting classes where they tell all the women to rename themselves after men or they’ll never make it in the industry, and if you’re silly enough you do just that, choosing something that sounds like “Joss Whedon” dipped in Abercrombie and marinated in a little Ralph Lauren (because that’s Ralph’s real name.)
In the pantheon of made up names it is the most made-up-iest.
No.
It seems like they are misinterpreting what made Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV show) such a big hit with fans in the first place.
Creators Fran and Kaz Kuzui? Really? Last time I checked Joss Whedon created Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Kaz was the money behind the feature and his wife Fran was the incredibly untalented director. They were involved in name only in the television series (which I worked on). It was Joss’ creation, pure and simple. Absolutely reprehensible that his name isn’t even mentioned in this article.
Thanks, Buffyguy. I posted (the FIRST) comment in this thread alluding to the HUGE error suggesting Kuzui created Buffy after correcting a spelling error in a Simpsons story, and they ignored me and scrubbed the comment. (Or are STILL oblivious to their mistake & scrubbed the post). Either way… uh… need a proofer at Deadline? My rates are reasonable, as I don’t line in La-La Land.
The Kuzui’s own the rights to the movie and the characters within the movie. That’s why they were producers-in-name on the show. However, they can’t use anything – ideas or people – created on the show without proper licensing.
So, it’s not really Buffy at all, except in using the same name and premise. No Angel, Willow, Xander, Spike, Oz, Giles, etc etc etc. Which… means that fans could not care less about this supposed “reboot”.
(One actually wonders if this Whit Anderson is aware that she can’t just write AU fanfic using all the characters.)
This is a travesty and must be stopped.
Um, last time I checked Whit was a girl. But anyway, interested to hear more about her Nolanesque take on Buffy.
While I am thankful to know who Julian Zajifen works for, I’m more concerned about what Joss Whedon thinks about all this. That would be much more informing and interesting. Thanks.
This is truly a sad day for all Buffy fans. The show was amazing – Whedon and cast cannot be replaced. Thanks Hollywood for ruining yet another franchise.
Difficult position for Joss to say anything.
I hope everyone associated with this “reboot” dies. Soon.
That’s about as professional a statement as I can make right now.
*applauds*
I don’t pray to the altar of Joss Whedon, but “Buffy” the TV series was the best thing he ever did. It’s kind of sad they are rebooting something that reminds me of my HS years because it reminds me that I graduated 11 yeara ago. Time flies. Hopefully Buffy will still be strong and not some Mary Sue like Bella Swan.
I would argue that “Firefly,” short lived as it was, was actually better than “Buffy.”
But I think all the fans of Joss Whedon’s Buffy are going to revolt at this if he’s not involved.
I agree, and suspect that you are right…. I can already see the impetus growing for an eventual boycott of the remake….
FIREFLY is perhaps a better and more fertile mythology, if only because it’s not EXTRA tired vampire lore. But FIREFLY, as well written as it was, wasn’t produced that well and the casting was suspect… all great talents, but the sum was LESS than the parts… which is a rarity.
I’m a late fan of Whedon, but I don’t think he’s god or anything close to it. What is important and I applaud Whedon about is, he’s no George Lucas — going back to the same well continuously, because he had caught lightning once…
As for a BUFFY update… as a movie? Why? The show worked because it was an extended stories. Movies have their place, but not for this type of fare and especially not so DAMN recently.
Is there going to be a reboot of LOST in 4 years, too?
“Buffy” the TV series was the best thing he ever did”
No, Firefly was
It’s a toss up. I think firefly would take no. 1 if there had been more seasons but Dollhouse was seriously epic too.
I love his work & hope he got a lot more to come
Nooooooo! There is no such thing as Buffy without Joss Whedon!
agree, feel a little fan boy, but Buffy is more linked to Joss, more of us can remember the TV show, not like superman, Flash Gorden, or many other shows that no one remember who started it & make it more easy to change the story line.
Is this going to be a updated version of the 1992 movie ? (which, from memory had high hope but did not make too much $ as hoped), a updated movie of the TV show, or a updated from the the end of the TV show & season 8 in print, may be just something new from old ?
IMHO I would love to see a movie with what has happen after Buffy TV show show ended, to advance the story, not just bring it up to date, with iPad & iPhones everywhere ?
Fran and Kaz are money-grubbing hacks. Embarrassing.
This is not a franchise needing a reboot. It could use a continuation/reunion a la’ Sex In The City but to re-do the WHOLE cast and start from day one when Sarah Michelle Gellar is so highly identified with the role is a mistake. The franchise hasn’t failed creatively it’s only failed to continue outside of the comic book. This isn’t similar to Star Trek or Battlestar Galatica which had creatively run dry or flopped.
Cue fan backlash.
Worst idea ever. They should just leave Buffy alone.
i have no interest in seeing a reboot that doesnt involve joss whedon.
without Gellar there is NO BUFFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you are so right Sarah Michelle gellar is the best and without her and the gang it will be a total flop and wont make any money and will just ruin what sarah has worked to make. GO SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR
Isn’t Joss Whedon Buffy’s creator, with Kazui Enterprises holding a portion of the rights? I wouldn’t call them the creators, but yes, rights purchased from them.