Sarah Michelle Gellar to Leave Buffy

Posted on February 26, 2003

Now this is one Internet rumor that I really didn't want to be true, that Sarah Michelle Gellar is hanging up her stake and crossbow and departing from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I mean, I know her movie career is going well, but surely she could fit just one more year into her schedule? Unfortunately, Zap2it.com is reporting that the rumors are true, and that Gellar will spill all about her departure from the critically acclaimed show in an exclusive interview for the March 7th issue of Entertainment Weekly. And the Hollywood Reporter says that Gellar is slated to start shooting in August for the lead in MGM's Romantic Comedy, a love story about a guy who tries to win the heart of his longtime best friend and U.N. translator (Gellar), by recreating romantic scenes from movies. The film is set for a 2004 release. A male friend, who falls in the coveted 18-30 age group, responded to the news of Gellar's departure from the Buffyverse thusly: "That sucks, bigtime." Bigtime, indeed, my friend. For as television slips further and futher into the morass of reality programming, excellent shows with intelligent writing, witty humor and talented actors are going to become few and far between in the next year.

Of course, there are also rumors that the show will continue in some form or another, perhaps with Eliza Dushku reprising her role as the fallen slayer, Faith. But Dushku has agreed to star in a new Fox pilot about a girl who can go back in time for one day to save lives (shades of UPN's ill-fated series 7 Days come to mind here), and so a Faith-centered show seems unlikely. Nicholas Brendon (Xander) and Alyson Hannigan (Willow) are both contractually bound to stay with Buffy for one more season -- if there is a season. And James Marsters (Spike) has stated that he's more than willing to stick around. Of course, some cast members could migrate over to Angel.

There is still no official confirmation from either UPN or Mutant Enemy productions, but those in the know say it's a done deal. That's a stake through the heart for Buffy fans.