The highly anticipated “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot has found a new slayer in “Firestarter” star Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who joins Sarah Michelle Gellar in the series…
There’s a new slayer in Sunnydale.
On Thursday, the upcoming “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot officially cast Ryan Kiera Armstrong — best known for her past roles in films such as the recent “Firestarter” remake as well as appearance in shows like the “Star Wars” series “Skeleton Crew” — in the lead role of the series opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Gellar actually posted a video on social media showing her breaking the news to Armstrong, who was understandably emotional after landing the coveted role on the upcoming “Buffy” reboot.
“From the moment I saw Ryan’s audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side,” Gellar said about the casting. “To have that kind of emotional intelligence , and talent, at such a young age is truly gift. The bonus is that her smile lights up even the darkest room.”
While plot details about the “Buffy” reboot are still being kept under wraps, Armstrong is expected to lead the series as the new slayer in Sunnydale with Gellar appearing in a recurring role as her mentor.
Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman are set to write, produce and serve as co-showrunners on the new series that’s set up at Hulu with Oscar winner Chloe Zhao on board to direct and executive produce the show.
“We are so overjoyed to have found this generation’s slayer in Ryan Kiera Armstrong, she absolutely blew us away — there is no question in our mind that she is the chosen one,” the Zuckermans said in a joint statement.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” started as a film back in 1992 with Kristy Swanson in the lead role but original creator Joss Whedon eventually transformed that idea into a TV series starring Gellar that ran for seven seasons on the WB and UPN networks.
Ever since the show ended, there’s been calls for a revival but Gellar had largely shot down the idea until more recently getting involved with the reboot at Hulu. While Gellar is slated to return, there’s no word yet if any of her other co-stars are going to be joining her.
The original “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series also starred Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, and James Marsters.
