Whenever there’s a talk about setting a benchmark, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s iconic 1997 drama series is a sure discussion. Written and directed by American screenwriter Joss Whedon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was first released in March 1997.
The supernatural drama TV series was aired for seven seasons with a total of 144 episodes. Apart from being the creator, Whedon was also the show’s executive producer under his production tag, Mutant Enemy Productions. The show was immensely celebrated by the fans and appreciated by the critics. However, the show is a lot more as it sets a tone for its genre like no one else in the millennial era.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Revolutionized Pop Culture And Became An Inspiration For Many Of Its Succeeding Shows
Probably the greatest show of the supernatural genre, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer is not limited to its commercial success. What’s more impressive about the show is its reputation as a trendsetter. Starring Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, David Boreanaz, Nicholas Brendon, James Marsters, etc, the show conquered its genre and inspired many other shows after it.
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On top of that, the show also built the WB which is undoubtedly an achievement on its own. Considering its influence on other shows, Adam Mallinger has recently praised the show heavily.
In his tweet, Mallinger even mentioned that shows like Smallville, Lost, and Veronica Mars are influenced by Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Under Mallinger’s tweet, many fans have expressed their agreement that Buffy undoubtedly is better than all other shows in the supernatural genre.
Ryan Reynolds and Britney Spears Almost Starred in Buffy
Ryan Reynolds a.k.a. our beloved Deadpool was set to play the role of Xander but decided against it. Reynolds explained to the Toronto Star that he loved Whedon and the show, but couldn’t bring himself to play the role of a high school boy.
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What is even more surprising is that pop star Britney Spears was also going to make a cameo in the show. She was expected to appear in season 5. However, due to scheduling conflicts (via ABC News), she couldn’t make it and the plan was dropped with a heavy heart.
Apart from its critical success and royal reputation, there are a few interesting facts about Buffy the Vampire Slayer that will surprise everyone. To start off, Sarah Michelle Gellar wasn’t originally the only choice to play the character of Buffy.
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According to Screen Rant, Gellar was competing for the lead role against actresses like Charisma Carpenter, Selma Blair, and Katie Holmes. However, in the end, things worked out in the favor of Gellar and she grabbed the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Buffy is available for streaming on Hulu.
