Chances are that if you’re perusing the wares at CliqueClack, you’ve already heard about this latest Buffy kerfuffle somewhere in your internet travels. The Hollywood Reporter started things, running a short piece that suggested the Kuzuis have been talking with Vertigo about a new Buffy movie and … OMG … it might not involve Joss Whedon. The resulting outrage from Buffy fans was not unexpected, with the overwhelming reaction being, “No Joss, no way!” I find myself in the minority on this, because I disagree.
To start, there really is just not enough information. The most amusing bit of the story is that somehow “haven’t ruled out Whedon being involved” magically became “a Buffy movie without Joss.” Is it such a stretch to think that these talks are in the earliest of stages and once someone starts throwing some actual money around, Whedon might get a call? That really would be the safest path, avoiding what will obviously be a backlash from the fans of the show.
For the sake of argument, though, let’s assume that’s what this is: a Buffy movie without Joss Whedon. Is that really a deal breaker for you? If you say yes, you’re certainly in good company. It just so happens that Keith was already talking to Jane Espenson when this story broke, and she offered this comment:
“I saw the news about this first thing this morning and I was surprised. I don’t think any Buffy project would work without Joss’s involvement.”
It’s not a deal breaker for me. I’ve been a big fan of most of what Whedon has done (I loathe Serenity, but that’s another story), but I don’t think he’s the only one with the scary rare ability to be able to tell a good Buffy story. There are tons of writers and directors out there, all with their own unique visions. And the Buffy mythology that Whedon has built is strong enough to stand on its own, without him at the helm.
Just for argument’s sake, and as one example, take a look at who Vertigo has worked with in the past. How about Sam Raimi? Would you really have no interest at all in Sam Raimi’s take on Buffy? Now, I have no idea whether or not Raimi would have any interest at all in being part of a Buffy revival. He is, after all, quite busy with Spidey and the Evil Dead, among other things. But that’s just one name.
At the end of the day, we’d all like to see Whedon behind any new Buffy movie, given the choice. But if that isn’t possible, I’m more than happy to take my chances with someone else giving it a go. Sure, it might be every bit as bad as that original movie. On the other hand … you just never know. It could be the next great chapter. To just assume that everyone other than Whedon dooms it to failure is as silly as assuming that his involvement automatically makes it a hit.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on May 26, 2009 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
I hated the first movie, and didn’t watch the show, but is it a continuation or just a stand alone story?
I too hate Serenity. It’s an OK movie but a terrible Firefly movie.
*POST AUTHOR*
Details are limited, but from what’s been said so far it sounds like a continuation of the ‘Buffy Universe’ story, but not of the TV show. Meaning that while it will all go down with the Buffy mythology in place, it won’t pick up where Buffy and the gang left off. The article goes so far as to say that it won’t feature any of the supporting characters.
I’d prefer Christhoper Nolan to do it and can we get Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Hillary Swank, Pee Wee Herman, Rutger Hauer, David Arquette and Luke Perry back?
I really liked Serenity.
I thought it was based on the crappy movie and not the TV show?
Hm why do I get the feeling that this blog-post could also be titled “Quantum mechanics without Joss Whedon? Sign me up!”
Because I guess we all know just as much about THAT as we know about this “movie”.
All I read from that press release is the wet dream of a producer who wants to milk the rights he owns with his wife. Nothing more.
#NoJossNoBuffy
Yes, Brett, you are stupid. Or, you know, not.
I don’t know. At first glance, Buffy really seems to me to be one of those properties that just shouldn’t be done by anyone else. The tone of the show, the way the characters work, all of it is just so tied up in Joss’ voice.
That being said, I came to a sudden realization that made me rethink it. At least they’re not talking about doing a Angel movie without Joss. Because that would be the real suck.
But your point makes sense, as long as we’re talking about a VAMPIRE SLAYER movie instead of a BUFFY movie. I think you can take the concept, and do some pretty righteous stuff with it. What would be a true shame, though, would be trying to reinvent the characters.
(Which then lead me to the point of, “Why the hell can’t you just come up with an original idea, Hollywood?”)
Brett:
I don’t have a problem with not-Joss doing a “reboot” of Buffy. I just have an issue with them doing it *now*. It’s only been a few years since the series ended, way too early to retread that same topic.
Ivey:
Given that this is a ploy by the people who own the rights to the “Buffy” story specifically, this would probably have to be a remake rather than a more generic vampire slayer movie.
#NoJossNoBuffy
NoJossNoBuffy is a fanatic slogan. Enough already.
though evil dead is obviously a classic i would not like to see ANYTHING else by the guy that directed the spider man movies…
It’s rediculous for this to even be an issue. It hasn’t even been ten years since the series ended. Kuzui is just trying to cash in on the success of Twilight and True Blood, which would not have been as successful without Buffy. To die hard Buffy fans who know the storylines back and front, that waited wk after wk for amazing episodes of love, friendship, responsiblity and compassion, its going to be a complete dissapointment and failure to us without Joss Whedon. It could end up being very successful based on Twilight fans latching on to the next suitable vampire hottie casted. But it won’t compare to how amazing it would be just as a movie alone without Joss Whedon.