TV Updates for Buffy, Star Trek and Scream!

Some news broke last week regarding popular genre shows. The biggest was the Star Trek news but we will get to that in a minute.

First of all there is a small update on this new Buffy reboot. During a big TV event last week one of the big bosses at FOX had this to say – “It’s not on an incredibly fast track, but we’re hopeful. There’s actually no script to see. We’ve sat down with creators and had conversations with them about it. It’s a very exciting prospect. It’s fairly early. We haven’t pitched it to any possible licensees yet, all of that is still to come.” Confirming what I figured. If this show happens it will more than likely be a 2020 debut instead of next year. Various cast members from the original show have given their support for the reboot with James Marsters, who played Spike, saying he would be open to return for the reboot. Let’s just see if this all comes to be first of all.

Next up is Scream and the news ain’t good I’m afraid. Netflix, who act as distributors for MTV’s Scream in the U.K.  are no longer under any obligation to stream the already completed third season. The new show was to be a total reboot, after mixed reaction to a messy second season, with a brand new cast and creators. Fans got excited too because the news broke the show would be more faithful to the movies and include the original Ghostface mask! Now the show is in total limbo. There are currently no networks nor streaming services optioning the show. Will it ever see the light of day?

Finally, I have saved the best for last, Patrick Stewart delighted legions of Star Trek fans over the weekend when he announced he was returning to the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Stewart played the popular character for seven seasons on the Star Trek: The Next Generation series and went on to appear in four Star Trek movies after the TV series had wrapped. This new take on the character is said to explore the twilight years of the fan favourite character as he continues to research and explore the mysteries of the galaxy. This new series will be a companion show to the currently airing (and awesome) Star Trek: Discovery. No word yet when the show will debut or if we can expect (you can) any other of The Next Generation characters to return with Picard. Like Buffy I think this will be making its debut later rather than sooner. I’d expect a early 2020 premiere.

 

 

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer could be back for round three?

Yo! Buffy might be coming back! Awesome right?

During Comic Con Fox made a dent in the news with confirmation that a reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is currently in the works. The idea is that a pilot script will be written -early days yet guys, this thing could ALL fall apart – and the new reboot of Buffy will be taken to various networks and streaming services!

Joss Whedon and Monica Owusu-Breen (Alias, Fringe, Midnight Texas) have paired up to brainstorm this new show. Owusu-Breen is currently writing the pilot script. Both of these talented people have their own shows in the mix at the moment. We do not know if either will stick with this reboot should it get the greenlight. Let’s hope so.

The only fact out there regarding the proposed reboot is that it won’t be a continuation of the original series. Buffy will be played by an actress of colour this time in order to better represent all audiences and fans. More of this please.

I have seen complaining over the weekend over this idea of a reboot. Guys the original show ended strong. Let it be. It’s not like the show was killed before its time. We had an awesome seven seasons of Buffy (Oh the movie! I love the movie) and a spin off which ran for five seasons! Now it is time for new audiences to get their version of this iconic character. My hope is the show stays away from familiar plot points and becomes a trail blazer all of its own making.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its characters struck a cord with fans and because of that, one could argue, there is a sense of ownership. I get that but that is wrong. Buffy, like James Bond or other such iconic characters, is bigger than any one representation of her. Due to that she should be allowed to continue free of chains keeping her tied to one creative route. I want to see this character and this world explored in new and exciting ways.

My hot take? For what little this is worth I would happily see the likes of Willow, Xander, Giles, Angel and (my fave) Cordelia MIA in this new vision. Let’s see a brand new Scooby Gang. Heck move out of Sunnydale. Should the show go ahead its strength will come from what it does on its own terms and not from what it tries to retell.

Last but not least there is this. Earlier I said the show is out to networks and streaming services. Should it go to the likes of Netflix the makers will have a lot more creative control over content than they would on a network. That means the Buffy we get could be a bold and much darker take on the character than what we have seen before.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is currently in early development and will be taken to networks. Should the show get the greenlight and start to move forwards you can be sure it’ll be covered here.