"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" won't be rising from the dead after all.
Sarah Michelle Gellartookto Instagram on Saturday, March 14, to reveal Hulu has decided not to move forward with a planned reboot of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
"I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me," she said in a video message.
USA TODAY has reached out to Hulu for comment.
Gellar was to reprise her role of Buffy Summers in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale," a continuation of the classic television series that was first announced in 2025. A pilot episode for the show was shot last year, with "Hamnet" filmmakerChloé Zhaoserving as director.
In addition to Gellar, the pilot's cast includedRyan Kiera ArmstrongandChase Sui Wonders. In May 2025, Gellarshared an emotional videoshowing footage of herself telling Armstrong, 16, that she had been cast as a new slayer. "From the moment I saw Ryan's audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side," Gellar wrote at the time.
Hulu's decision came as a shock for fans and was an unusual example of such a high-profile television project being scrapped before even making it to the air. It was not immediately clear whether a continuation of "Buffy" could still happen in another form.
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Sarah Michelle Gellaron reunion with the one 'Buffy' prop she missed
Gellar did not offer any information about the reasoning for Hulu's move. But she thanked Zhao in her video, noting she "never thought I would find myself back in Buffy's stylish, yet affordable, boots." The actress added, "Thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her, and how much she means, not only to me, but to all of you. And this doesn't change any of that."
Gellar also seemed to indicate she is still open to revisiting the character in the future.
Sarah Michelle Gellar,back again for 'Buffy,' is sick of your reboot takes
"I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me," she said.
The original "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," which centered on the adventures of Gellar's titular vampire slayer and her group of friends, aired for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003. The reboot would have picked up 25 years after the original series.
Speaking with USA TODAY earlier this year,Gellar said it was"emotional" to be on the set of "New Sunnydale" because she didn't think she'd "ever be revisiting that character." She also noted the show was to be a continuation of the same world from the original show.
Stars are stepping out at the final awards events of the season as the 2026 Oscar race enters its final stretch. The star-studded Actor Awards kicked off the month of March, which will also feature the debut of movies like "The Bride!" and "Project Hail Mary," not to mention the Academy Awards on March 15.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of the month so far, starting with a ring-teasing Zendaya in bridal white at Essence's 2026 Black Women In Hollywood Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Halle Bailey attends Essence's 2026 Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Regé-Jean Page" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kerry Washington" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Teyana Taylor" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
TIME magazine celebrated its 2026 Women of the Year, recognizing "16 women leaders working toward a better, more equitable world." Queen Latifah and Mel Robbins pose together at the March 10 gala in West Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Teyana Taylor and Sheryl Lee Ralph" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chase Infiniti attends Vanity Fair's Vanities: A Night For Young Hollywood on March 11, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Supriya Ganesh" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Tyriq Withers" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paris Jackson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ariana Greenblatt" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Odessa A'zion" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell at the New York premiere of "The Madison" on March 9, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Pfeiffer pictured at Paramount+'s "The Madison" premiere at Lincoln Center on March 9, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Li Jun Li, Omar Benson Miller, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan, Jack O'Connell, Jayme Lawson, Miles Caton and Lola Kirke posing in the press room during the Actor Awards on March 1, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
ILIA Beauty celebrated the launch of its new Skin Blur Serum Concealer at their Complexion Residency Pop-Up in Los Angeles on March 5, 2026. Alongside Founder Sasha Plavsic, guests including Mandy Moore, Mindy Kaling, Nikki Reed, and more came together for a night of beauty, music and cocktails." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Danai Gurira, Sasha Plavsic, Mindy Kaling and Mandy Moore attend an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Nikki Reed attends an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Stephanie Suganami attends an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mandy Moore attends an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Danai Gurira attends an ILIA Beauty event in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chantel Jeffries hosts a JUDYDOLL Cocktail Soiree at Casadonna on March 5, 2026, in Miami, Florida. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jenn Tran" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao attends the 2026 Unforgettable Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on March 7, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Stephanie Suganami" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vincent Rodriguez III" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Raquel Olsson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Leenda Dong" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charles Melton " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charles Melton and Lee Sung Jin" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chrishell Stause" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bowen Yang" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Randall Park " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ji-young Yoo" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Te Ao o Hinepehinga" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Elizabeth Yu " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Anna Cathcart " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alicia Hannah-Kim " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The stars of "Tell Me Lies" Spencer House, Jackson White, Grace Van Patten and Sonia Mena attend a preview weekend celebrating the opening of Zero Bond at Wynn Las Vegas on March 6 and 7, 2026, the first expansion of Scott Sartiano's and Will Makris's New York private members club, in partnership with Wynn Resorts." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kevin Costner attends Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Keegan-Michael Key and Jon Hamm attend Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
John Stamos attends Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Scott Sartiano and Jessica Alba attend Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gwyneth Paltrow attends Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Doja Cat performers during the Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Donald Faison and Zach Braff attend Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Doja Cat attends Zero Bond preview weekend in Las Vegas. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lisa Liberati, left, and James McAvoy attend the "California Schemin'" premiere at Glasgow Film Festival on March 8, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Stephen Colbert speaks during the Writers Guild Awards New York ceremony on March 8, 2026, in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Matt Rogers, left, and Bowen Yang " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Roy Wood Jr. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jordan Klepper " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Danny McBride " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Laëtitia Hollard" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Li Jun Li " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sofia Carson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jeff Hiller " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Shayna McHale " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael Urie " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
David Krumholtz " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jack Champion attends the Unforgettable Awards in Los Angeles on March 7, 2026" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bowen Yang " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chloe Zhao " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charles Melton " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kristen Kish " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amber Glenn, left, and Connor Storrie attend the GLAAD Media Awards on March 5, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Camila Mendes " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Matt Rogers, Demi Lovato, and Bowen Yang " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rhea Seehorn " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sheryl Lee Ralph " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Noah Schnapp " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Don Lemon " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Seth MacFarlane attends the premiere of "Ted" Season 2 in New York City on March 5, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michelle Pfeiffer attends the premiere of "The Madison" in London on March 4, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Patrick J. Adams, left, and Elle Chapman " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kurt Russell " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Matthew Fox " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Erika Alexander, left, and Tracy Morgan attend the New York premiere of "The Fall & Rise of Reggie Dinkins" on March 3, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Steve Carell attends the premiere of "Rooster" in New York on March 3, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zach Braff " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Nicole Kidman, left, and Jamie Lee Curtis attend the New York premiere of "Scarpetta" on March 3, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ariana DeBose " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jessie Buckley attends the premiere of "The Bride!" on March 3, 2026, in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Maggie Gyllenhaal " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jake Gyllenhaal " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Marisa Tomei " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christian Bale, left, and Sibi Bale " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Annette Bening " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Julianne Hough attends the New York premiere of "The Bride!" on March 3, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan attends the Actor Awards on March 1, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Viola Davis " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amy Madigan" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothee Chalamet, left, and his mother Nicole Flender " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Calista Flockhart, left, and Harrison Ford " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Teyana Taylor " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Emma Stone, Demi Moore, Michelle Williams, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kate Hudson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Teyana Taylor, left, and Chase Infiniti " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Angela Kinsey, Jenna Fischer, Mindy Kaling and Ellie Kemper " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Noah Wyle" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Odessa A'zion, left, and Kevin O'Leary " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Kathryn Hahn, Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz and Chase Sui Wonders" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jenna Ortega " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Parker Posey " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dave Franco attends a screening of "Hoppers" in London, on March 1, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bobby Moynihan " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See Zendaya, Teyana Taylor, Kurt Russell in best celeb photos of March
Stars are stepping out at the final awards events of the season as the 2026 Oscar race enters its final stretch. The star-studded Actor Awards kicked off the month of March, which will also feature the debut of movies like "The Bride!" and "Project Hail Mary," not to mention the Academy Awards on March 15.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of the month so far, starting with a ring-teasing Zendaya in bridal white at Essence's 2026 Black Women In Hollywood Awards.
Gellar's announcement comes as she promotes her role in the horror sequel "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come," which held its premiere on March 13 at the South by Southwest festival.
Contributing: Allison Moses
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' reboot dead, says Sarah Michelle Gellar