Apparently there have been rumors of a new "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" movie. I use the word "new" because there already was a movie created about Buffy, even before the TV series began. I remember watching parts of the 1992 movie and just thinking that it was poorly made. This new movie, however, will not include "Buffy" creator Joss Whedon, which has outraged a lot of fans. Warner Bros has decided to produce this new movie and so far the reception has been much less than welcoming.
My question, though, is whether fans are outraged that Joss Whedon has no say in the film's production, or whether they are upset about the changes that will be made to Buffy and her story line? One of the producers has mentioned that Buffy will not be a high schooler anymore, but that "she'll be just as witty, tough, and sexy" as before. I feel like this might change everyone's perspective about her. When I began watching Buffy, I remember thinking that even though she is a slayer in high school, there is some innocence about her, which made me like her character even more. However, if this new movie has a grown up Buffy, I don't think that pathos will cross over.
I believe that almost any TV series or movie can be revamped. Whether it will be successful depends on how much the producers and the actors blow our expectations. I am glad that Warner Bros is producing a movie with a strong female lead, though. And I really hope that they do a good job because this might start more movie productions with strong superheroines as leads - an issue that I mentioned in a previous article. If Warner Bros succeeds, this movie could be almost revolutionary - just like the Buffy TV series. Here's the link to the article:
It's interesting that you bring this up since I haven't heard anything on it in about a year. As a Buffy fan myself, I can say with certainty that the reason I would be upset about this movie is 2 things: 1) Joss Whedon not being involved. Part of the problem is that Whedon facilitated a unique situation where a talented team of writers and actors truly tapped into the zeitgeist of a generation and created some truly masterful TV along the way. In doing so this group of people had a certain creative spirit and emotional connection to the material that an unrelated group of writers/directors/actors will almost certainly fall short of. Especially if you hear the interviews with the potential candidates to play Buffy, and 2) the original show only ended in 2003, which is not that long ago. The show is still relevant. And does the Buffy as adult thing (when the show ends, the character is what, 23?) So that's not the issue (especially because 6th season Buffy, where she has to deal with a bevy of adult issues, is probably my favorite or second to favorite season).
ReplyDeleteOne problem fans may have as well is that because of the cultural climate we're in now and considering what passes for suitable vampire/heroine tales, the movie producers will likely turn Buffy into another Bella. And nobody wants that.
One other thing to consider is that original Buffy continuity is still going on. Whedon produced a season 8 comic series, which concluded not too long ago, and season 9 is happening AS WE SPEAK.
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ReplyDeleteI really find this post very interesting, especially because I completely agree with Professor Lirette's comment in regards to Buffy becoming another Bella. If there is no Whedon chances are that Buffy will probably lose her ability to fight vampires or she might even become a vampire. I feel like this might happen because lately everything that deals with vampires has a weak girl who falls in love with one and eventually becomes one. It's sickening to me because it once again shows women following men, while Buffy did not. Buffy is her own person and she at one point killed her lover, Angel, which shows how strong she truly is. If the new Buffy turns out to be another Bella, I would not be able to see Buffy in the same light. I think every Buffy fan would be highly upset.
ReplyDeleteFans will probably be upset if Whedon is not included because other producers will probably create drastic changes to the Buffy storyline.
I agree with everything here. The beauty of the Buffy show was the way it was done more than the actual concept of a girl slaying demons - my favorite thing about Buffy has always been the emotional relationships and stories between the characters, and of course the witty way they talk. A new Buffy movie with neither the characters nor Joss' writing just doesn't seem worth it to me.
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