Joss Whedon responds to news of Buffy reboot

It’s been almost eighteen months since we first lamented the possibility of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie being made without much-loved creator Joss Whedon. Well, although that project may be dead in the water, Warner Bros are actively developing their own Buffy reboot … and Whedon is yet again forced to sit on the sidelines and just watch it happen without him.

Screenwriter Whit Anderson has revealed to the L.A. Times that she is “fighting through” the screenplay for WB.

Although little is known about the reboot, producer Charles Roven says that their Buffy film will not take place in high school.

“Generally, I wouldn’t have said, ‘Let’s revive this,’ but Whit’s take is pretty compelling and a lot of fun, and it’s interesting to see all of this reimagined. This is a completely new reboot. Tone is extremely important, and you want the audience to realize what is at stake and the peril is real, but at the same time what’s going on should be fun and inviting and keep everyone engaged.”

So, how does Whedon feel about all this? The ever-erudite writer shared the following email with E Online:

“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… I always hoped that Buffy would live on even after my death. But, you know, AFTER. 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. And there is no legal grounds for doing anything other than sighing audibly. I can’t wish people who are passionate about my little myth ill.”

As you would assume, Whedon dropped plenty of hilarious nuggets in his open letter. Read the whole thing here.

Obviously, as a massive fan of the television show and the universe crafted by Whedon, I am not happy with this news. Yes, I would much prefer that Whedon write a Buffy film himself, and employ Sarah Michelle Geller et al to portray older versions of the characters we know and love (that is, if we have to have a new Buffy film). That being said, it is undeniable that Buffy is bigger than Whedon; she is a truly iconic character that connected with audiences in a way that few ever do. Perhaps it is time for a new generation to meet her.

Of course, kids who aren’t familiar with Buffy should probably just check out Whedon’s show instead.

There is no director attached, nor is there any shooting or release date slated for Nu-Buffy. More news as it develops.

Discuss: Alright fellow Whedonites, come share your grief.