As I predicted, many of you weren't so happy when I posted earlier today that a reboot of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer franchise would be happening and Joss Whedon wouldn't be involved. The writer of the original movie and the creator of the long-running television series, the material has always been something not only important to Whedon fans, but to Whedon himself. Now he's speaking out about his work being adapted by another.
Following the news, E! got in contact with the writer/director to hear his feeling about the project. To say that he's unhappy with the news is a bit of an understatement. While we here at Cinema Blend don't typically like to take large chunks of text from other articles, I believe that it's important that you read Whedon's own words and not simply my paraphrasing:
Kristin, I'm glad you asked for my thoughts on the announcement of Buffy the cinema film. This is a sad, sad reflection on our times, when people must feed off the carcasses of beloved stories from their youths—just because they can't think of an original idea of their own, like I did with my Avengers idea that I made up myself.Obviously I have strong, mixed emotions about something like this. My first reaction upon hearing who was writing it was, "Whit Stillman AND Wes Anderson? This is gonna be the most sardonically adorable movie EVER." Apparently I was misinformed. Then I thought, "I'll make a mint! This is worth more than all my Toy Story residuals combined!" Apparently I am seldom informed of anything. And possibly a little slow. But seriously, are vampires even popular any more?I always hoped that Buffy would live on even after my death. But, you know, AFTER. I don't love the idea of my creation in other hands, but I'm also well aware that many more hands than mine went into making that show what it was. And there is no legal grounds for doing anything other than sighing audibly. I can't wish people who are passionate about my little myth ill. I can, however, take this time to announce that I'm making a Batman movie. Because there's a franchise that truly needs updating. So look for The Dark Knight Rises Way Earlier Than That Other One And Also More Cheaply And In Toronto, rebooting into a theater near you.Leave me to my pain! Sincerely, Joss Whedon.
Kind of heartbreaking, no? It's so clear how much Whedon truly cares for his creations and is crushed by the news that he won't have any input. There's simply so much disposable crap and remakes and reboots these days that it's all too often that those who created something original and amazing gets ignored. By all accounts it appears that the people behind the Buffy re-hash did everything in their power to circumvent the creator. Judging from the number of comments in the original article, it appears that many of you feel just as passionately about this as he does. Simple solution? Don't pay for a ticket.
