Sci-Fi Storm

When news broke about a potential new Buffy: The Vampire Slayer series last week, there were hints/assumptions that it would be a “reboot”, which naturally for any show with a deeply devoted following began a backlash storm on the Internet.

The term reboot many times gets used where it probably shouldn’t. A “reboot” to me means you are starting over, with the same basic story idea. Like telling a new origin story. You forget any previous version exist, at least it terms of telling the story – paying homage is still OK. The new Battlestar Galactica was a reboot. In this case the only thing we knew from the original announcement is that cast will be diverse and it will be set in the present day.

However, showrunner Monica Owusu-Breen was adamant that this is not a “reboot”, but a sequel. It will feature a different cast, but is set within the same world 15 years after the original series ended and build on the mythology that is already there:

pic.twitter.com/Sdz4oKh3gM

— monicaowusubreen (@monicabreen) July 26, 2018

And if you are wondering who Owusu-Breen and worried about her taking over Joss Whedon’s series, keep heart: She’s working with Joss Whedon, who will be involved creatively and executive produce the series, but he’s a busy boy. The two have worked together previously on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but in addition to that Owusu-Breen has written for such shows as Alias, Lost, Fringe, and Charmed – which are shows that seem share the same fanbase as Buffy, thanks to similar themes and/or strong female characters. So while there is no guarantee any of your favorite Buffy characters may appear, the possibility does exist.

I’d also caution a bit on the optimism that this show is in early development, and does not yet have an outlet, or even a script. However, we have fairly high confidence this will find a good outlet.

King Uther returns! This was rumored months ago when it was believed Merlin‘s Anthony Stewart Head was on the set of Warehouse 13, and fueled by a picture from star Eddie McClintock having dinner with him, fellow star Saul Rubinek, and Head’s fellow Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum James Marsters, but it’s been confirmed – Head will appear in the final three episodes of Season “4.5”, reportedly as a villain named Paracelsus.

Actor Robin Sachs, who has played many different roles across the board, often in prosthetic makeup, passed away last week at the age of 61.

Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer might recognize his face as that of Ethan Rayne, but he did a lot of voice work (most recently in the game Mass Effect 3) and acted frequently in prosthetic makeup, including the role of Sarris in the Tim Allen comedy Galaxy Quest, four different roles in Babylon 5 (two Narn and new Minbari), and General Valen in (Star Trek: Voyager).

Just got the following press release:

Updated: Just added: John Scalzi, creative consultant on Stargate Universe and science fiction author, who won the 2005 Hugo Award for [asin=0765348276]Old Man’s War[/asin].

JAMES MARSTERS TO ATTEND PHOENIX COMICON

“Buffy” alum joins other talented guests at Phoenix in May

Phoenix, Ariz.—James Marsters, breakout star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and television actor on series such as Smallville and Torchwood will be appearing at Phoenix Comicon.

“James Marsters played some of the greatest characters on scifi television,” said Matt Solberg, Convention Director. “He was Spike on Buffy, Braniac on Smallville, and he voiced Lex Luthor in Superman: Doomsday. We are absolutely thrilled that he’ll be coming to Phoenix.”

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