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Sarah Michelle Gellar Opens Up About Her Decade-Long Hollywood Hiatus and a Scrapped “Buffy” Reboot
In a surprising revelation, Sarah Michelle Gellar, the iconic star of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” has shed light on her decision to step away from the glare of Hollywood for nearly a decade. The actress, known for her relentless work ethic throughout her career, recently shared how a series of personal upheavals led her to prioritize family life and a much-needed break from the industry.
“I had my second child. I was on ‘The Crazy Ones.’
Robin [Williams] passed away,” Gellar told People in a candid interview. She explained that these events profoundly shifted her perspective, leading her to realize that “things change in a moment.”
For the first time, she desired a hiatus, a sentiment she had never experienced before in her demanding career.
This pivot marked a significant turning point for Gellar, whose identity had been deeply intertwined with her professional life. “I was so defined by my work and my career that that was the propeller,” she stated, adding her gratitude for the time spent with her children, recognizing it as an invaluable period she could never reclaim.
During her time away from the spotlight, Gellar, who has been married to Freddie Prinze Jr. for over two decades, immersed herself in family life. She embraced motherhood and a more serene existence, crediting her husband and therapy for helping her achieve a greater sense of balance and well-being. She emphasized the importance of self-care, a practice she hadn’t prioritized earlier in her career, noting Prinze’s encouragement in this area.
Now, Gellar expresses a profound sense of contentment. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and I’ve got nothing left to prove,” she affirmed.
Her return to Hollywood sees her taking on new projects with a refreshed outlook. Gellar is currently a judge on Netflix’s reboot of “Star Search” and is set to return to her roots in the thriller genre with the sequel “Ready or Not 2.” These roles represent a full-circle moment for the actress, who built her legacy playing strong female leads in genre-defining productions.
Gellar also discussed a highly anticipated “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot that ultimately fell through. She revealed that she had been quietly developing the project with Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao. Despite initially resisting the idea of returning to Sunnydale, Gellar was convinced by Zhao during a single meeting, feeling as though she was “stepping back in time.”
However, the project stalled after filming a pilot. Gellar attributed the setback to an executive who, she alleged during the South by Southwest festival, was “not only not a fan of the original, was proud to constantly remind us that they had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for them.”
The news drew immediate reactions from fans, whom Gellar acknowledged were the primary reason she wanted to embark on the reboot in the first place. “To thank them, to show them, and to be there for them, because that’s what ‘Buffy’ was about,” she explained.
“Buffy’ was about chosen family, and that you may feel like you don’t belong in the world, but there’s someone out there that sees you. And for me, it’s always been about me seeing those fans.”
Despite the disappointment, Gellar remains resilient. “I’m going to hold my head high and keep going… That’s what Buffy Summers would do,” she declared, embodying the spirit of her iconic vampire-slaying character. Gellar starred as Buffy for seven seasons, from 1997 to 2003, portraying a young woman destined to battle vampires and demons from her hometown of Sunnydale.