Untitled Buffy theatrical reboot

On May 25, 2009, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment were working with Fran Rubel Kuzui and Kaz Kuzui on a re-envisioning or relaunch of the Buffy movie for the big screen. The movie would not be a sequel or prequel to the existing movie or television franchise, and Joss Whedon would have no involvement in the project. None of the characters or cast members from the television series would be featured. The goal would be to “make a darker, event-sized movie” with “franchise potential.” The story would follow a new vampire slayer who must step up to protect the new generation. Kuzui says the the new movie will hopefully take “Buffy into a new place." Vanessa Hudgens was offered a role in the remake, but turned it down because she felt it would be overkill at the height of The Twilight Saga's overwhelming popularity.  

Whedon was eventually offered a behind-the-scenes role in the new project, but declined to be involved in a reboot. 

For 18 months, no further news was heard on this project. Then on November 22, 2010, Warner Bros. signed with the Kuzuis to produce the new movie.  (Though 20th Century Fox released the first film and the TV series, the rights to the characters and situations of the first film were retained by the Kuzuis, who can bring the project to whichever company they want.) Whit Anderson, an actress with no professional writing credits, has been signed to write the new movie. Anderson praised the themes of the show, including the "deep struggle (Buffy) had with duty and destiny, that tug between what you’re supposed to be doing and what you want to be doing." The producers also indicated that the new Buffy would not be in high school. The new production is aimed for late 2011 or early 2012, nearly 20 years after the last time Buffy was on the big screen. 

When reached for comment, Whedon responded with typical tongue in cheek: "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." More seriously, he added, "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."  David Boreanaz reacted to the news of a Buffy reboot with a comical pouting face via a photo on Twitter. 

Kristy Swanson, the first actress to portray Buffy, said that she would be thrilled to return to the role, but that she would be happy to see Buffy back in any form. 