Following Joss Whedon's announcement in late July that 'Buffy: The Vampire Slayer' would be making a return to television starring a black actress in the role of Buffy Summers (portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar from 1998-2003), fans of the Buffyverse became a house divided, most being vehemently against restarting the story from square one.
However, a few key members of the original Scooby gang are voicing their support for the reboot.
When asked by PEOPLE, Sarah Michelle Gellar, now 41, said "At the end of the day, it's all about great storytelling. If a story lives on, then I think it should be told in any incarnation it can be told in."
I'm actually kind of excited about this. I was a big fan back then but, I'm looking forward to seeing where they go… https://t.co/d5Y6YU9paq— Emrysfevre (@Emrysfevre)1538748919.0
This followed a New York Comic Con panel with actor David Boreanaz, who portrayed Angel, the vampire with a soul in both Buffy and its five season spin-off Angel, in which he voiced his support for the reboot.
"Come on, guys," Boreanaz told a booing crowd. "It's a good thing. Let's just embrace [it]... I'm very happy for them. They want to embrace a new generation, something new."
"Everybody wants old, they want to go back," he continued. "Which I can understand: you want to see us back in these roles. It's great, it's cool [but] things move on, stories evolve, times change. I think it's a great opportunity for a reboot like this to show where we are with society now, what you can do with technology, how you can explore those relationships with the same kinds of metaphors. I'm all for it. I think it's fantastic. Good for them. I hope that it becomes huge and successful, and does what it does."
Fan backlash was so strong when the project was initially announced that showrunner Monica Owusu Breen took to Twitter to voice her piece about why she believed a reboot was a strong idea.
https://t.co/Sdz4oKh3gM— monicaowusubreen (@monicaowusubreen)1532619725.0
And since then, some fans have come on board.
@monicabreen I am so excited to see what you bring to life.— Lizzie Alper Took An Axe (@Lizzie Alper Took An Axe)1532619929.0
@monicabreen You are living the literal DREAM and no one deserves it more. ⚰️✏️ (pretend the pencil is a stake)— Courtney Enlow @ NYCC (@Courtney Enlow @ NYCC)1532620905.0
@monicabreen A new Slayer storyline definitely has potential, there is so much lore to work from in that universe.… https://t.co/4u6E61tlri— ShawnaT (@ShawnaT)1532990455.0
Boreanaz says he's personally excited to see someone else assume the role of Angel.
"You have to realize, we started it. We're proud of that. If someone can step in my shoes and play my character, f**k, go ahead! I think that's great, because I ain't putting on that makeup anymore!"
@monicabreen THIS. THIS. THIS. THIS. As a fellow Buffy-inspired TV writer, I am beyond happy to hear you express th… https://t.co/hfdVfObkyR— Chris Rafferty (@Chris Rafferty)1532621816.0
@monicabreen A new slayer? Yes! Love it! A new Buffy? No, thanks.— Frances Jaime #ilovelucifer (@Frances Jaime #ilovelucifer)1532623446.0
@monicabreen I am ready to give this reboot a chance! BtVS was everything to me. I would love for my daughter to… https://t.co/ND8paPpMEE— Shelby O (@Shelby O)1532637690.0
@monicabreen These are all very exciting words - I can't wait to see what you're dreaming up! 😁🍿📺🧛♂️✨ https://t.co/dHr1oBR9fd— Emily McLongstreet (@Emily McLongstreet)1532625520.0
@monicabreen I cannot express how exciting & electric it would be to meet a new slayer! To allow the world in which… https://t.co/V3iwvheD1P— GennaRose Nethercott (@GennaRose Nethercott)1532623154.0
We are looking forward to seeing how it develops, regardless of trepidation. Bring on the Slayer.
H/T: People, Entertainment Tonight