Joss Whedon is working on a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot with writer Monica Breen. Breen will not only serve as writer, but she will also be the showrunner. Breen previously worked with Whedon on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Whedon is expected to executive produce the series and has already been working on the script with Breen according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The reboot will not feature Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy, but will feature a black actress. THR opines they will be “stepping into the role of Buffy made famous by Gellar.” This fits in with the original intent of the show where there were numerous vampire slayers throughout the generations.
No one has been cast in the role of Buffy and there aren’t any directors or even a script for the show yet. However, THR’s sources indicate the show will be “contemporary and build on the mythology of the original. Like today’s world, the new Buffy will be richly diverse, with some aspects of the series, like the flagship, seen as metaphors for issues facing society today. ”
A number of producers from the original series will also be returning including Gail Berman, Joe Earley, Frank Kazui. All three will serve as executive producers for the new reboot.
The project is being produced by Fox 21 TV Studios, but it does not have a network attached. THR reports they plan to pitch the show to streaming networks and cable outlets later this year in hopes to create a bidding war.
Whedon has been very busy of late. He moved his Firefly comic book series over to BOOM! Studios from Dark Horse Comics, he landed an original series The Nevers with HBO, and he’s writing a one-shot Dr. Horrible comic for Dark Horse Comics. Given his current workload it’s unclear how involved with the Buffy reboot he will be.