Why A Buffy The Vampire Slayer Reboot Is A Terrible Idea

Buffy Doesn't Need A Reboot

Just like Buffy's friends never paused to consider the idea that she might be happy after death, it seems Fox aren't thinking about the possibility that Buffy's legacy is much stronger without a reboot.

At the time it aired, the series was one of the most creatively fresh on TV, giving us what's now Whedon's trademark peppy dialogue, a cast with incredible chemistry, a strong female lead to root for, and - in its early years - a brilliant high school show as well. It led to a new kind of hero, used monsters as metaphors, was groundbreaking in its use of serialised storytelling, and combined horror, comedy, and teenage angst in a way few shows before or since have managed so successfully.

Buffy recently turned 21, meaning it's now old enough to head off to the Bronze and drink all the Black Frost in sight. And yet despite the years, the series' appeal has never worn off. Sure, not all of the effects are great, but it remains engaging, entertaining, hilarious, and smart television that plays well to both new audiences and those after a nostalgic re-watch.

Part of its success - and why a straight reboot might not work - is that the show is extremely rooted in the 1990s, from its references to its fashion-sense. That's a massive part of its charm, and while a new series could (and probably will) update the setting, something might be lost in the translation. At the same time, though, the show was ahead of its time as much as it was of it, which renders a new version of this character pointless.

Another issue is that, even though he isn't calling all the shots, Whedon certainly isn't the same creative as he was back in the late-90s/early 00s, and nor is the TV landscape. There are zero guarantees that a redo would work, and about a zillion things that could go wrong.

On that latter point, it's worth remembering that the TV show itself is based upon a movie of the same name, which failed miserably. There were various studio circumstances for that, but it does show just how this concept can go horribly wrong without the right care.

Given how the show remains both wholly relevant and eminently watchable, there's also no necessity for the show to be brought back. Well, besides cash, which is the ONLY necessity that really matters in TV exec terms. The show is widely available on TV and has been on-and-off streaming services over the years; it's there for audiences to continue to find, and what they'll discover is one of the greatest, most influential TV shows of the last 20 years. And one that, despite some wobbles in its last couple of seasons, had a rather perfect finale. In every generation, a Slayer is born, but every generation can still enjoy watching this Slayer.

There are other shows that can be made about teenagers and demons, and even vampire slayers, but they don't need to bear the Buffy name. The ending even sets up the possibility of a next-generational continuation or a spin-off (Angel proved it can work), but Buffy isn't a traditional comic book character to be constantly rebooted - she isn't Peter Parker, so if a new series is happening, give us Miles Morales instead.

The show saved the world. A lot. Now Fox needs to be prepared to let it rest in peace.

Do you want to see a Buffy reboot or revival? Share your thoughts down in the comments.