Buffy Reboot

Clareman · 21-07-2018 9:40am #1

Buffy is being rebooted

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/buffy-vampire-slayer-reboot-inclusive-take-joss-whedon-works-1128888

CastorTroy · 21-07-2018 1:49pm

Ok. This isn't just aimed at the Buffy reboot, but why do they keep doing this?
If you want to do a Buffy show, use different characters and change the name. Can then just say the show is inspired by Buffy. Buffy wasn't the first or last supernaturally powered character. So there is room for others.
By rebooting you will instantly have fans being against it. You will have comparisons being made. You will have to figure out if it's tied to the original or not. You will need to worry about how to keep old fans happy while getting new fans. I know they're trying to cash in on the name but it's not always a good idea.
By saying the show is inspired by Buffy, you get Buffy fans willing to check it out without judging it as harshly.
Most fans will likely tune in out of curiosity, but like I said, they'll be comparing the 2 leads and other elements.

This goes for other reboots as well. I guess Charmed would be the most recent.

Agent Coulson · 21-07-2018 1:53pm

Disney will also own the right to Buffy when the Fox takeover goes through.

And Firefly.

Slydice · 21-07-2018 2:03pm

Agent Coulson wrote: »

And Firefly.

ixoy · 21-07-2018 2:15pm

Clareman wrote: »

Buffy is being rebooted

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/buffy-vampire-slayer-reboot-inclusive-take-joss-whedon-works-1128888

Idiotic. It was clearly established that there can be multiple slayers now. No need for a reboot and yet allow for nods to the original. It would allow the characters to develop themselves without being judged against the original.

Mr E · 21-07-2018 2:24pm

Yep a reboot is ridiculous. They've done a lot of world building in the first series (and the comics that came after). Why throw that all away?

The fact that Joss Whedon is involved makes it even more baffling. The opportunity for callbacks, easter eggs, guest stars etc. is a massive opportunity squandered.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 21-07-2018 3:03pm

Why remake what was already a pretty much perfect show?

Buffy The Vampire Slayer & Angel are not only two of my favourite shows of all-time, but they also helped mould me in to the person I am, and I don't want that legacy tarnished in any way. Obviously I'll check out any reboot they make and if they manage to capture the magic, then great, but from experience with remakes and reboots of other shows, I'm not holding my breath and mostly think this is unnecessary, as the original series still holds up. Really, as others have said, what they should be doing is another show set in the Buffyverse, but focusing on new characters, not redoing what has already been done.

If they just keep the name and the basic premise - as in the lead character is called Buffy (but not Buffy Summers) and she & all the other characters are entirely different from the characters from the original show, then maybe, just maybe, there's a glimmer of hope that it could work, but there'll only ever be one Buffy Summers, one Giles, one Willow, one Xander, one Cordelia, one Angel, one Spike, one Oz, etc. etc. so if they intend to recast those existing characters I don't think the existing fan base will be able to get on board.

Also, Joss Whedon's involvement is probably more of a "they're re-making this show whether I like it or not, so I may as well have a foot in the door to try and steer it in a bearable direction".

Clareman · 21-07-2018 4:49pm

Buffy was great, the spin off was (arguably) just as good if not better, I would have thought it would be the perfect show to have a "Next Generation" rather than a reboot, it's been so long since it was on they could reference stuff that happened in the original show while having all new characters.

Clareman · 21-07-2018 4:50pm

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Also, Joss Whedon's involvement is probably more of a "they're re-making this show whether I like it or not, so I may as well have a foot in the door to try and steer it in a bearable directionmake a few quid out of it".

FYP

Penn · 21-07-2018 5:29pm

I can kinda see the merits in rebooting rather than just go with a new slayer in continuity with the fact there's now thousands of slayers, as it becomes a case of "Why is this slayer special" and "Why can't Buffy, Willow etc not help". The show and new Buffy is always going to be compared to the original but if they kept it in continuity, the actual main character of the show would literally be in Buffys shadow within the show.

That said, it really doesn't need to be rebooted at all. The original still holds up as in many ways it was ahead of its time in a lot of areas.

But... Whedon being involved... and if they took it in a whole new direction... It could turn into something great.

I'm conflicted in the idea of a reboot, but I'll definitely give it a shot.

TheValeyard · 21-07-2018 7:42pm

Well, its a coming back

Buffy to be rebooted.

https://news.sky.com/story/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-to-get-a-reboot-and-a-brand-new-lead-actress-11444562

"diverse, with some aspects of the series… seen as metaphors for issues facing society today"

S.M.B. · 21-07-2018 8:46pm

Seems weird to do a reboot as opposed to creating a series around another slayer in a post Buffy universe.

The only thing that really appeals is the fact that Whedon is executive producer. Although I'm more excited to read that he's creating and running a new fantasy show for HBO.

Mr E · 21-07-2018 8:47pm

There is already a conversation about it in the New/Renewed/Cancelled thread - let me pull those into this thread.

Edit: Buffy Conversations Merged.

ixoy · 21-07-2018 9:26pm

S.M.B. wrote: »

The only thing that really appeals is the fact that Whedon is executive producer.

That role will mean practically nothing. He'll maybe give some initial pointers but I'd be surprised if he had any real involvement, especially with his own show.

pixelburp · 21-07-2018 9:44pm

'Executive Producer' is a totally nominal position in any production; it almost always means the person has no day-to-day input in the writers room or on set. I think it's just a way to ensure some royalties or a percentage of whatever profit arrangements are in place.

Or to put it another way by example: Steven Spielberg is an executive producer of the Transformers film franchise. I'm sure it doesn't need saying that his presence is not visible in the final product

judeboy101 · 21-07-2018 10:54pm

Black buffy, check
Hispanic gay giles, check
Wheelchair bound deaf cancer, check
Trans gender willow, check
Fema nazi Cordelia, check
Trump esque bad guy, check

Agent Coulson · 21-07-2018 11:03pm

Surely in this era of #need2Boffended then if Doctor Who is now woman Buffy should be a man.

Oafley Jones · 21-07-2018 11:04pm

pixelburp wrote: »

'Executive Producer' is a totally nominal position in any production; it almost always means the person has no day-to-day input in the writers room or on set. I think it's just a way to ensure some royalties or a percentage of whatever profit arrangements are in place.

Or to put it another way by example: Steven Spielberg is an executive producer of the Transformers film franchise. I'm sure it doesn't need saying that his presence is not visible in the final product

Executive Producer is the real power in television. It’s the opposite of movies where simply “Producer” rules and the executive producer is someone’s kid.

CastorTroy · 21-07-2018 11:14pm

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Surely in this era of #need2Boffended then if Doctor Who is now woman Buffy should be a man.

How dare you?! Don't you know you can change gender from male and/or race from white, but you can never go in the opposite direction! :rolleyes:

Seriously though, I think the only time they've gender swapped the other way is having a male receptionist to the all female Ghostbusters.

silverharp · 22-07-2018 1:55pm

it seems like the feminists are offended going by anita sarky's response, its almost like someone is stealing their childhood

LLMMLL · 22-07-2018 4:25pm

Mr E wrote: »

Yep a reboot is ridiculous. They've done a lot of world building in the first series (and the comics that came after). Why throw that all away?

The fact that Joss Whedon is involved makes it even more baffling. The opportunity for callbacks, easter eggs, guest stars etc. is a massive opportunity squandered.

Maybe the story he wants to tell would clash with the world they’ve built and continued in the comics.

I for one am glad there’ll be no waster eggs and guest stars etc.

I think all that stuff they do in the DC shows like have the original flash play Barry’s father, and dan cain and the original super girl play super girls parents is just pure PR nonsense. It adds nothing to the shows for me.

CastorTroy · 22-07-2018 5:54pm

If you think they won't have any of the Buffy cast appearing, I'd say you're way out. Especially if it makes it past the first season. Won't be as their characters but in roles similar to Supergirl (Helen, Dean, Erica Durance, Laura Vandervoort, Teri Hatcher), Flash (John, Amanda Pays, Mark Hamill. Seems the last 2 played their original characters or versions of them) and Smallville(Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Teri, Dean) . Even Hawaii Five 0 had an appearance from someone who died years ago using very dodgy special effects.
Charmed reboot is unlikely to have any of the main 3 or 4 women considering their reaction to the reboot.

pixelburp · 22-07-2018 6:42pm

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Executive Producer is the real power in television. It’s the opposite of movies where simply “Producer” rules and the executive producer is someone’s kid.

Not always though I'd have said, and that it depends; the aforementioned Spielberg has been executive producer for a tonne of shows and I'd be sceptical as how much influence he had.

Heckler · 22-07-2018 9:40pm

BTVS was brilliant and well ahead of its time in certain aspects. Angel in my opinion was even better. The comedy and dialogue in that was fantastic.

A Buffy reboot in this day and age is going to be agenda after agenda rammed down your throat with no bite (excuse the pun) so as not to offend the perpetually offended.

I'm gonna keep the original in my mind unless I hear absolutely mind blowing things about any reboot.

Skerries · 23-07-2018 11:06am

The Battlestar Gallactica reboot was brilliant alongside Dr. Who and Star Trek: Discovery

Mr E · 23-07-2018 4:00pm

LLMMLL wrote: »

I think all that stuff they do in the DC shows like have the original flash play Barry’s father, and dan cain and the original super girl play super girls parents is just pure PR nonsense. It adds nothing to the shows for me.

Not what I meant. I mean the original Buffy, Willow, Giles, Xander, Spike etc. (not the actors playing alternate characters).

icdg · 23-07-2018 9:39pm

Ironically enough, it’s often forgotten at this stage that the Buffy TV series was itself a reboot, one that transformed a pretty forgettable (and obviously forgotten!) 1992 film with Kirsty Swanson into one of the most acclaimed TV shows of its time.

Of course, in the 90s, reboot meant pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del on a PC, and wasn’t typically applied in a fiction context!

judeboy101 · 23-07-2018 9:43pm

icdg wrote: »

Ironically enough, it’s often forgotten at this stage that the Buffy TV series was itself a reboot, one that transformed a pretty forgettable (and obviously forgotten!) 1992 film with Kirsty Swanson into one of the most acclaimed TV shows of its time.

Of course, in the 90s, reboot meant pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del on a PC, and wasn’t typically applied in a fiction context!

No it wasn't, they changed actress and new giles but the first episode of TV show she references the events of the movie. If you remember when giles tells her who he is she isn't shocked and says "not again".

CastorTroy · 23-07-2018 9:51pm

Yeah the tv series was based on the original script for the movie, which is why they mention her old school being burned down.

gimli2112 · 23-07-2018 9:52pm

lost my mind to that show back in the day. Used to record the series on VHS and then watch it when the series was over. I waited for Season 6 before watching the Season 5 finale.

Mr.Nice Guy · 23-07-2018 9:55pm

Leave my memories alone, you fiends. Back to the Future reboot will be on the way soon enough I'm sure.

KevinCavan · 23-07-2018 10:08pm

Is Hollywood rewriting history, as people here have already alluded to. Movies such as Ghostbusters and the Ocean’s heist series, replacing an all male cast with an all female cast just comes off as being rediculous. It will soon be sexist to have a male in the leading role of a movie/t.v. show. Now a black Buffy makes an entrance. A gay John McClane anybody? John McClane’s husband is on a hijacked plane and he has to save him? Can we tick a box on any other suppressed groups in a movie?

CastorTroy · 23-07-2018 10:29pm

Reminds me of the Extreme Ghostbusters cartoon. Was a good show but was basically the PC Ghostbusters. Main characters were a Latino guy, a black guy, a white guy in a wheelchair and a goth girl.

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Leave my memories alone, you fiends. Back to the Future reboot will be on the way soon enough I'm sure.

Or Enter the Dragon. But they would never do...
http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/959997-david-leitch-enter-the-dragon-remake

Never mind.

Bainneban · 24-07-2018 9:08am

They could have done a Buffy universe type show years ago and it would have run for years. Most people growing up nowadays have never seen the original so the reboot is aimed at them and will probably work.

super_furry · 24-07-2018 9:09am

Don’t understand the need for a reboot myself. I mean the whole story is just set up to continue with a new slayer already.

pixelburp · 24-07-2018 9:21am

Hey if you're going to reboot a beloved, if not religiously worshipped show (which is surely the real talking point), you might as well give it a new narrative hook; it's a potentially interesting switch of perspective and narrative twist - if the ethnicity is part of the story ala shows like Luke Cage or Black Lightning, where they're as much tales about living in black neighbourhoods, as they are superhero shows. The world doesn't need another high school drama, though it certainly doesn't need another reboot either.

To be honest, I never got into Buffy or saw the great appeal of the show, but it's a shame to see Whedon return to familiar ground than actually try his hand at something new, outside his comfort zone. The man almost seems to be coasting on good will at this stage. Wish he'd go back to writing; I may not be a card carrying fan but I've always been excited to see what he comes up with next.

Penn · 24-07-2018 9:28am

pixelburp wrote: »

To be honest, I never got into Buffy or saw the great appeal of the show, but it's a shame to see Whedon return to familiar ground than actually try his hand at something new, outside his comfort zone. The man almost seems to be coasting on good will at this stage. Wish he'd go back to writing; I may not be a card carrying fan but I've always been excited to see what he comes up with next.

He's Exec Producing the show and helping get it off the ground with setting up the show and helping with the pilot, but other than that he'll not be working on the show. He's announced a new HBO show called The Nevers about a group of female vigilante superheroes in Victorian times. That's what he'll be focusing on and writing. It's still kinda familiar ground (as he said himself in an interview, "I'm doing ANOTHER superhero team?"), but with HBO and being set in Victorian times, it'll still feel fresh hopefully.

pixelburp · 24-07-2018 9:30am

Ah, I hadn't heard of The Nevers; between this reboot, and his patch job of Justice League it felt like Whedon wasn't really trying these days. With luck HBO will give him the latitude he has probably never got in the past (HBO takeover notwithstanding). He just has to work on his comfort zone now

Penn · 24-07-2018 9:40am

pixelburp wrote: »

Ah, I hadn't heard of The Nevers; between this reboot, and his patch job of Justice League it felt like Whedon wasn't really trying these days. With luck HBO will give him the latitude he has probably never got in the past (HBO takeover notwithstanding). He just has to work on his comfort zone now

Yeah I'm excited for his new show. I know many didn't but I f*cking loved Age of Ultron, and Whedon still remains one of my favourite writers/directors. I'm glad to see him going back into TV after a long beak and his new show sounds like it could be great.

ixoy · 26-07-2018 9:32pm

So going by an article on io9, it looks like this isn't a reboot but a continuation:

Says the show runner:

For some genre writers it’s Star Wars.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my Star Wars.

Before I became a writer, I was a fan. For seven seasons, I watched Buffy Summers grow up, find love, kill that love. I watched her fight, and struggle and slay.

There is only one Buffy. One Xander, one Willow, Giles, Cordelia, Oz, Tara, Kendra, Faith, Spike, Angel... They can’t be replaced. Joss Whedon’s brilliant and beautiful series can’t be replicated. I wouldn’t try to.

But here we are, twenty years later...
And the world seems a lot scarier.
So maybe, it could be time to meet a new Slayer...

And that’s all I can say.

That makes me far more interested.

McLoughlin · 26-07-2018 9:42pm

Typical lazy writers who don't know what the word "Reboot" means, remember all the Roseanne and X-Files reboot news when they weren't a reboot.

pleas advice · 26-07-2018 9:48pm

KevinCavan wrote: »

A gay John McClane anybody? John McClane’s husband is on a hijacked plane and he has to save him? Can we tick a box on any other suppressed groups in a movie?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtoPmZuGjHc#t=35

ixoy · 26-07-2018 9:53pm

McLoughlin wrote: »

Typical lazy writers who don't know what the word "Reboot" means, remember all the Roseanne and X-Files reboot news when they weren't a reboot.

Yep and same with 'Doctor Who' too.

JP Liz V1 · 26-07-2018 10:17pm

judeboy101 wrote: »

Black buffy, check
Hispanic gay giles, check
Wheelchair bound deaf cancer, check
Trans gender willow, check
Fema nazi Cordelia, check
Trump esque bad guy, check

Token Oirish Vampire, Check

Agent Coulson · 27-07-2018 12:07am

I want the Spike and Giles/Ripper spin offs more than this.

Lackey · 29-07-2018 10:16am

Bainneban wrote: »

They could have done a Buffy universe type show years ago and it would have run for years. Most people growing up nowadays have never seen the original so the reboot is aimed at them and will probably work.

The young one and her friends have all watched the original,
You'd be surprised (I'm not) a lot of people growing up nowadays have watched the show.

Anyway seems it won't be a reboot

Thank Feck for small mercies.

If it's not a reboot I might give it a go ...but really rehashing the greats got stale long ago ...

New Charmed is getting ripped to shreds online have they even wrote the pilot yet? ...I can only imagine the reaction a reboot Buffy would have got.

CastorTroy · 29-07-2018 10:48am

Have they written the Charmed pilot, you're asking? Starts this year and can see the trailer online for it.

Lackey · 29-07-2018 6:19pm

CastorTroy wrote: »

Have they written the Charmed pilot, you're asking? Starts this year and can see the trailer online for it.

LOL some trailer feel like I've watched the whole first season

It also seems they've included a 'Giles' character... looks sh!te tbh.
Ill pass.

Spon Farmer · 29-07-2018 8:04pm

I love the original show and while I'd much prefer a sequel or a spin off of that I am not automatically against a remake. If it ends up as a terrible idea, so be it and no harm done. If it ends up as something good, then great.

Whedon has always be against such a thing in the past, so if he has changed his mind there must be a reason. I'll choose to take the reasons as positive in nature.

I hope though that they put a different spin on it - that they don't try to copy the characters or humour but do something new.

CastorTroy · 30-07-2018 12:34am

As long as they don't go down the girl power type route. Buffy was about a strong female character but I can't recall any in your face feminism or something similar. (Remember the recent Flash episode with all the women on the hen?) There wasn't even any real Dawson's Creek drama om Buffy.
So if it manages to stay as subtle, they'll be okay.

S.M.B. · 30-07-2018 7:54am

The entire last season of Buffy was pretty on the nose in terms of it's message, was it not? Not that it bothered me.

Buffy Reboot

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