Director Chloe Zhao has revealed that helming the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot feels more intimidating than working on a Steven Spielberg-produced project. The Hulu series will feature Sarah Michelle Gellar reprising her role as the iconic Slayer. Zhao's passion convinced Gellar to return after years of resistance.
Chloe Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of Nomadland, is stepping into the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as director and co-executive producer for a new Hulu reboot. In interviews, she shared that the pressure of reviving the beloved series outweighs even her experience on the Spielberg-backed Shakespearean drama Hamnet.
"I am always nervous when the fandom is massive, and very loyal, and passionate. And I am also a part of it. It's so much scarier than 'Hamnet,'" Zhao told Deadline. Drawing from her own fandom of Japanese manga, she highlighted how deeply attached fans can become to cherished properties. Her prior work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including directing Eternals in 2021, has given her insight into managing high expectations from dedicated audiences.
Zhao played a pivotal role in bringing Sarah Michelle Gellar back to the role she originated. Gellar had turned down multiple offers over the years to revisit Sunnydale but was swayed by Zhao's vision. "Chloe had this idea in a world and the passion with which she spoke both about her idea and the show made me realize that now more than ever we need those heroes to believe in," Gellar told Variety. She added, "It's tough times for everybody right now, and I think people feel more isolated and more alone and we live in an incredibly digital society."
In a Vanity Fair interview, Gellar praised Zhao's perspective: "[She has] an international eye which broadens the scope of what we can achieve." The reboot will center on a new Slayer while staying true to the established Buffy universe, avoiding a full reimagining. This approach aims to honor the original series' legacy amid contemporary challenges.
