"A new incarnation of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" could be coming to the big screen.
"Buffy" creator Joss Whedon isn't involved and it's not set up at a studio, but Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment are working with original movie director Fran Rubel Kuzui and her husband, Kaz Kuzui, on what is being labeled a remake or relaunch, but not a sequel or prequel.
While Whedon is the person most associated with "Buffy," Kuzui and her Kuzui Enterprises have held onto the rights since the beginning, when she discovered the "Buffy" script from then-unknown Whedon. She developed the script while her husband put together the financing to make the 1992 movie, which was released by Fox.
Kuzui later teamed with Gail Berman, then president of Sandollar Television, bringing back Whedon to make the TV series, which was produced by Fox TV and launched on the WB in 1997. Kuzui and Sandollar received executive producer credits on "Buffy" and its spinoff, "Angel."
The new "Buffy" film, however, would have no connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters like Angel, Willow, Xander or Spike. Vertigo and Kuzui are looking to restart the story line without trampling on the beloved existing universe created by Whedon, putting the parties in a similar situation faced by Paramount, J.J. Abrams and his crew when relaunching "Star Trek."
One of the underlying ideas of "Buffy" allows Vertigo and Kuzui to do just that: that each generation has its own vampire slayer to protect it. The goal would be to make a darker, event-sized movie that would, of course, have franchise potential.
The parties are meeting with writers and hearing takes, and later will look for a home for the project. The producers do not rule out Whedon's involvement but have not yet reached out to him.Speaking from Tokyo, Fran Kuzui said the company is constantly approached not only about sequels but theater, video games and foreign remakes for "Buffy." When Vertigo's Lee contacted them, they were intrigued.
"It was Roy's interest in taking Buffy into a new place that grabbed us," she said, noting that original exec producer Sandy Gallin also was consulted. "It was based on our respect for what he does, and his particular sensitivity to Asian filmmakers, that we wanted to work with him."
Kuzui, who is prepping do direct a movie in Japan in the fall, added: "Everything has its moment. Every movie takes on a life at some point, and this seems like the moment to do this."
*we had too many threads popping up about this, so just use this one for all rumors and speculation and such.
Without Joss' involvement, and without the cast we know and love this will be an epic failure. Voice your opinion on the matter, post links to other sites and articles on this development!
We need to say NO.
The only thing this story is good for is to ignite and unite the fans and make us rally to get a CORRECT BtVS film!
It has come to our attention that you are in the beginning stages of planning a new Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie with the hopes of launching a new franchise to go along with it. It is our understanding that this movie will have nothing to do with the cast of characters from the TV we have come to love, and most importantly, nothing to do with Joss Whedon, creator and master himself.
The reason the Buffyverse has remained so successful throughout the years is due to Joss's ability to execute his vision through intricate storytelling and carefully developed characters. The premise of Buffy - whether the TV incarnation, comics present or future, or any movie - cannot stand alone without his direct, hands on involvement. This was proven to the world in 1992 and will be proven again should you choose to continue in this manner. The proposed disregard of the current franchise is disrespectful to BtVS/Angel and everyone involved, from Whedon to the cast and crew right down to the fans.
We would like to take this opportunity to official state that we do not support any incarnation of Buffy that is not done expressly how Joss Whedon wants it to be done. Not only do we oppose your intentions, but should you choose to continue without him, we will boycott and fight against it every step of the way. None of us may be in the direct position to stop you, but we are many, and Joss and our Buffy have taught us what a good fight takes.
Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #1 on May 26, 2009, 4:49am »
I agree that Joss should, in the best of worlds, make the Buffy movie but at the same time there are plenty of good Buffy scribes such as Chris Golden and Tom Sniegorski, who could write a fully competent and effective Buffy script. As for directors, again there are plenty of directors who could handle Buffy.
Joss would be the best choice, without a doubt, but his not writing or directing a Buffy movie is not necessarily a recipe for disaster.
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Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #3 on May 26, 2009, 5:01am »
Like I stated earlier.
NO.
They were able to reboot Star Trek and do it well because they kept all the original characters. But this? This is just an epic fail waiting to happen.
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Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #5 on May 26, 2009, 5:07am »
Would really like to see what they have planned before dismissing it out of hand.
Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #7 on May 26, 2009, 5:09am »
It doesn't sound like it will be about Buffy.
"One of the underlying ideas of "Buffy" allows Vertigo and Kuzui to do just that: that each generation has its own vampire slayer to protect it. The goal would be to make a darker, event-sized movie that would, of course, have franchise potential."
It also won't use any Willow or any other of the supporting characters.
So it doesn't really sound like they'll use "our" Buffy, maybe not even another version of her. It won't be a re-make, it will be something else.
I hope. Then I might be able to appreciate it.
I hope they'll just make the movie about another slayer, in another time.
"Kuzui later teamed with Gail Berman, then president of Sandollar Television, bringing back Whedon to make the TV series, which was produced by Fox TV and launched on the WB in 1997. Kuzui and Sandollar received executive producer credits on "Buffy" and its spinoff, "Angel.""
If think I might have heared about the Kuzuis before, but I'm not sure. Did they actually have anything to do with the series, or did they just own the rights or something?
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Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #9 on May 26, 2009, 5:20am »
I would be okay with this idea if it had SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR - she is Buffy. She is all things Buffy Summers. If it continued from the first one and building up to the series that would also be watch-worthy but NO WAY IN HELL can they destroy this buffyuniverse and all that Joss has worked for just because of fucking J.J Abrams who, I'm really sorry, I HATE to death!! Sorry for the outburst everyone, but this whole thing has ruined my whole day....
Whether it be true or not, even the suggestion and this Zuiki dickhead, grrrr, anyway just NO!
if it is about a whole new slayer, that won't be so bad but then like Gachnar said, why not just use Fray?
It would be better but I guess it is Joss's work and it would be Joss-less... I like the whole new slayer thing but there are 1000's now, so they should sent it in the 1990's before Buffy... or in a dark new world where Buffy die at birth or somthing.. lol
« Last Edit: May 26, 2009, 5:27am by Hallow Thorn »
Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #12 on May 26, 2009, 5:35am »
The Buffy RPG throws open the notion of the Alternative Universe concept, in that any shaping event could be easily be taken as going a different way.
If its not going to be about Buffy, then they shouldn't really have any problems as there has been plenty of literature for previous incarnations of Slayer ( a Nikki Wood film could be really fun, harking back to the 70's).
But if it is a Buffy film, then it should be Sarah and preferably with the main supporting players as the chemistry of the core group is part of its charm. However, whilst Joss is probably the best man for the job, he's not the only one and his not being involved does not automatically doom the film.
Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #14 on May 26, 2009, 7:17am »
I state again, whilst Joss would probably be the best bet for a Buffy movie, his non-involvement is not necessarily a sign the movie will be bad. It's all gonna be in the details. but to dismiss the concept immediately simply cos Joss might not be on board is just a tad prejudiced.
Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #15 on May 26, 2009, 7:26am »
Joss is too busy to make a buffy movie anyway. But the thing that is pissing me off is that why are they calling this Buffy the vampire slayer when really its got nothing to do with the tv series. Sounds like they've stold the title name of the TV series. However, I think they should make a movie about Illyria about the time when she used to rule the world, just to expand the buffyverse.
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Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #16 on May 26, 2009, 7:36am »
I agree with ambersknight. If they were planning to make a Buffy story with all our favourite characters and storylines involved but without Joss, I would be against the idea completely. The 'verse itself has plenty of room for expansion. Think timelines and the number of slayers they could go with. I think that given the right attention by people who love the show, they could make something truly unique to take it's place in the Buffyverse.
I agree with ambersknight. If they were planning to make a Buffy story with all our favourite characters and storylines involved but without Joss, I would be against the idea completely. The 'verse itself has plenty of room for expansion. Think timelines and the number of slayers they could go with. I think that given the right attention by people who love the show, they could make something truly unique to take it's place in the Buffyverse.
But that's not what it seems like these people are planning. That's a cool idea, and all, but these people want to remake Buffy, with Buffy, and none of the other characters from the television show. Or at least that's what I got from it.
I think that given the right attention by people who love the show, they could make something truly unique to take it's place in the Buffyverse.
definitely
if this movie were to be a movie about Buffy, following a whole new storyline, then that would be utter fail new story about a new slayer would be very workable, but they shouldn't call it Buffy at all
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Re: Joss-less Buffy 'Reboot' = BIG BAD! « Reply #19 on May 26, 2009, 8:14am »
20th Century Fox owns, in full, all the copyrights and trademarks pertaining to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all characters therein, including Buffy.
Joss still has a friendly and productive relationship with Fox, and Fox are well aware of how vocal and organized Whedon fandom is. There is no way they would allow their IP to be used for this movie.
There could be a challenge mounted to Fox's claim to those copyrights and trademarks, of course. If the Kuzuis and "Vertigo Entertainment" (whoever they are) think they can out-lawyer 20th Century Fox, they are more than welcome to try. I'll make some popcorn and we can all watch.
Also, if the influential Joss Whedon can't interest a studio in a Buffy movie, I don't think the mighty Kuzuis will have much better luck.
And if it somehow did get made (as an ABSOLUTELY non-canonical movie)... well, just imagine all the wonderfulness of that 1992 movie, only with an even lower budget, and no involvement at all from Joss.
All that would be missing would be the silhouettes of a man and two robots along the bottom of the screen.
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no thanks... Needs 1. original characters/ Actors/ Joss... but why not just make a Fray film?
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before Buffy... or in a dark new world where Buffy die at birth or somthing.. lol
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