Should Disney+ resurrect Buffy: The Animated Series?
After an original 1992 movie, a seven season television series and a lengthy video game library, Buffy the Vampire Slayer shut its doors in 2003 and fans of the franchise thought the days of staking vampires were over. However, Joss Whedon had an idea to keep his most recognized hero alive – in the form of an animated show! Unfortunately, Buffy: The Animated Series died when a network failed to purchase the project.
Originally pitched in 2002 and again in 2004, Buffy: The Animated Series was executive produced by Joss Whedon and Jeph Loeb with backing from 20th Century Fox. Aimed at a more adolescent audience, the show was slated to be a 13 episode story following Buffy Summers in the middle of the live-action drama’s first season. Whedon, Loeb, Jane Espenson, Steven S. DeKnight, Drew Z. Greenberg and Doug Petrie were all slated to write episodes that saw The Slayer trying to get her driver’s license and join the high school volleyball team.
Cast-members Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Stewart Head, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz, Michelle Trachtenberg, Kristine Sutherland and Armin Shimerman were scheduled to reprise their on-screen roles as vocal performers in the new project. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Buffy herself, turned down the project during a brief spell when she wanted to separate herself from the character that made her a star. Instead, Giselle Loren voiced Buffy Summers, having previously took on the role in both console Buffy the Vampire Slayer titles.
The tear-jerking 2017 Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion hosted by E! saw the lead cast return to talk about the television show. During the interview period, Sarah Michelle Gellar changed her tune and said she’d return to Buffy: The Animated Series if Joss Whedon was involved; a sentiment that was agreed upon by every single cast-member. This was, perhaps, when the idea to rebirth Buffy: The Animated Series started; just before the long-delayed reboot news swept the internet.
2020 and beyond would be the perfect time to give Buffy: The Animated Series a home, especially with Disney+ becoming a major streaming platform. Disney+ owns the rights and content produced by 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios – two companies that Joss Whedon and Jeph Loeb are heavily involved with. I don’t think it would take a lot of effort by these two gentlemen to persuade Disney+ to take another look at Buffy: The Animated Series. I mean, please?
Not only that, but rumor has it Disney+ is about to add Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s seven seasons to its digital catalog for subscribers. If that happens, hundreds of thousands of new fans could discover the cult horror-drama that spawns a comic book series at Boom Studios! and an ever expanding merchandise line almost two decades after going off the air. If Buffy The Vampire (the show) could find a home at Disney+, why couldn’t Buffy: The Animated Series? I hear Disney+ produces its own original material, too, so, you see where I’m going with this.
Should Disney+ put Buffy: The Animated Series into production? Obviously it would be radically different than the original concept, but I still want it. I want everything Buffy related.
Watch the leaked 2008 Buffy: The Animated Series pilot below!
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