A new feature-length version of Buffy The Vampire Slayer is in development, however, original creator Joss Whedon is apparently not involved and the film will not follow on from the wildly popular television series.
The news comes through The Hollywood Reporter, which states that Fran Rubel Kuzui is developing the project alongside Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment. Kuzui directed the 1992 film, and her production company, Kuzui Enterprises, apparently held onto the rights for the property ever since then.
The trade paper reports that the new film will not use familiar characters such as Willow, Xander or Giles, and that Whedon’s involvement hasn’t been ruled out, but he hasn’t been approached yet. In the years since Buffy The Vampire Slayer ended its run on television in 2003, after seven seasons, the story has been continued in a graphic novel format, but Whedon has said several times that he doubts he would return to the franchise. Similarly, it is unlikely, though not impossible, that series lead Sarah Michelle Gellar would reprise her role as the titular vampire-hunting heroine.
