Chloé Zhao spoke publicly for the first time about the cancellation of her Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.
During a red carpet interview with Variety at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday, March 15, Zhao, 43, reflected on Hulu’s unfortunate decision after creating the reboot’s pilot and preparing to direct and executive produce Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.
“I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah [Michelle Gellar], with all the cast and crew doing this. And we, first and foremost, see ourselves as the guardians of the original show,” Zhao told the outlet. “Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans. So, things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery, and what this might lead us to.”
The outlet then asked whether Zhao, who was nominated for a best director Academy Award for her work on Hamnet but missed out to One Battle After Another’s Paul Thomas Anderson, would shop the project “to other distributors.”
Zhao cryptically responded, “Welcome the mystery.”
Gellar, 48, announced in an Instagram video on Saturday, March 14, that Hulu decided “not to move forward” with the reboot, which would have seen her reprise her role as Buffy Summers from the WB’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The original series aired from 1997 to 2003.
“So I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me – unfortunately Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy: New Sunnydale,” Gellar, 48, said. “I want to thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means not only to me but to all of you.”
Zhao responded directly to Gellar’s announcement, writing, “Grateful for you, always” alongside a tearful smiley face emoji in the comments section.
Fans were quick to pick up on the stars’ interaction, sharing support for the project and also urging Zhao to find a Hulu alternative. “@chloezhao We believe in you! Please keep shopping it around! Buffy fans will support you to the ends of the earth!,” one fan wrote in response to Zhao’s comment.
Us Weekly confirmed in February 2025 that Gellar would once again step into Buffy’s shoes, noting that she would star alongside a new vampire slayer portrayed by Ryan Kiera Armstrong.
Gellar told Us at the time, “It’s incredibly emotionally overwhelming. It’s just a place I didn’t know that I would find myself. While it was new, it was also incredibly familiar, and I feel very lucky.”
Armstrong, 16, spoke about the project’s cancellation hours after Gellar’s announcement, taking to her own Instagram to reflect on fan support.
“I wanted to come on here and say thank you for all of the support that you guys have given me and this show throughout the last couple months. It’s been really special,” she said in a video. “I also want to say thank you to all the fans who believed in this new chapter, and who believed in me, so thank you guys. Thank you to the cast I worked with. You guys are awesome.”
