“Into every generation there is a Chosen One” … and for those of us who love “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” that Chosen One is Joss Whedon.
“Buffy” is one of those unique incidents where the creator became more popular than anyone else from the series. When I talk about “Buffy” to other geeks (we can call each other that, right?), immediately I’m asked if I’ve watched “Firefly” or how come Fox hates Joss Whedon. It’s never “oh did you see Sarah Michelle Gellar’s latest film.”
Yesterday, some pretty big “Buffy” news hit the web (unfortunately, it was not about my class “Exploring ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’” … which is being taught at Portland State University next semester!). “Buffy” is being revamped without the Chosen One. As Sherice Antoinette wrote about yesterday, Warner Bros. is rebooting the series with Whit Anderson’s script.
Whedon’s expansive fanbase is shaking their heads (and raising their voices) about the decision. For most, the absence of Joss Whedon is the biggest problem. What would “Buffy” be without its “Joss Speak”? Could the movie possibly portray the same themes without its creator at the helm? Is there anyway this reboot could combine both comedy and drama that Joss Whedon is infamous for?
The odds, along with the fans, are stacked against the reboot. The 1992 film is mocked by almost all who watch it. The comic book series that serves as a continuation of the show divides loyal fans. And these things both have Joss Whedon contributing to the writing!
Joss Whedon even weighed in on the reboot to E Online saying in true Joss fashion:
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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.
When “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” left the air in 2003, there was a void where a smart, witty, historically important series had been. Over the years, new series would build on what “Buffy” had started and become almost as endearing. It is one fan’s opinion that this reboot will only be a sad reminder of how great the television series was and how great Joss Whedon is. Instead of rehashing old material for the sake of a vampire craze, let’s go back to better storytelling even under the constant threat of cancellation.
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Follow Allison Higginbotham on Twitter at http://twitter.com/allisonbh.