Buffy Animated / Buffy the Animated Series

Your one-stop fansite for all things related to the possible animated TV series based on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1997-2003)

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"Haunted"

'Buffy the Animated Series' is the newest possible addition the the Buffyverse. Well before the TV

version of the cult-classic 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' completed its 7-season run, show creator and

incredibly multi-talented Joss Whedon first began working with Dark Horse Comics to create comic

book versions of the teenage blonde that kicks vampire butt (edition #1 published Sept 23, 1998).

With an ever-increasing popularity of these comics, Whedon, along with several 'Buffy' writers, began

tossing around ideas for a TV cartoon - leaning toward the style of 'Batman: the Animated Series'.

With scheduled writing and filming of both 'Buffy' and its spin-off 'Angel', Joss and

crew didn't have much time to develop the animated series. However, a few select

cartoon artists in the biz began making sketches of our favorite little vampire slayer.

Bruce Timm (left sketch) has an incredible portfolio that includes many published

drawings of DC Comics and Marvel Comics heros - as well as comics based on

the 'Star Wars' franchise. Another hopeful artist is Eric Wight (below sketch) who

began working with Joss and crew on early artwork ideas. In a

February 2005 interview with USA Today, Mr. Wight said one of

his "biggest heartbreaks" was working for several years on this

possible show - only to have the series fail to (as of Aug 2008)

find a network. His early artwork has only fueled the fire for 'Buffy' & 'Angel' fans

around the globe. The main players in this series are currently working on several

different projects - making the development (and future) of this show unclear. Joss'

'Serenity' (2005) is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Joss is now working on

a supernatural thriller entitled 'Goners' (2008). In early 2007, Joss left production

of the upcoming 'Wonder Woman' (2009) - as earlier discussed on this website.

Other 'BtAS' staff are busy as well. 'BtAS' series co-creator Jeph Loeb has been busy writing and

producing episodes of the smash CW hit 'Smallville'. However, his 3-year contract has expired with

the show and he will reportedly NOT be returning for future seasons. On a side note: The 'Smallville'

season 5 premiere episode entitled "Arrival" was dedicated to the memory of Loeb's son Sam who

lost his battle with cancer in June of 2005. The episode closed with the note: "In Memory of Sam

Loeb (1988 - 2005)... A True Superboy" My deepest condolences on your loss. Loeb is currently

writing and producing episodes of NBC's hit 'Heroes'. 'BtVS' alum David Fury has been hopping around the Buffyverse dropping little quotes about the future of 'BtAS'. Although his role in the new series isn't clear, it appears that he is still, in some way, connected to its attempt to find a network.

In 2004, Fury loaned his writing talent's to ABC's runaway hit 'Lost' - and is now writing for FOX's

'24'. The cast of 'BtVS' has been fairly quiet on the subject of voicing their characters - except for

Sarah Michelle Gellar ("Buffy") & Emma Caulfield ("Anya"). Both actresses have expressed a lack

of interest in returning to anything having to do with the franchise. This doesn't come as much of a

shock - given that both Gellar and Caulfield passed in providing their voices for the 2 video games

released: 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (2002) & 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds' (2003).

Now (on the other hand) Seth Green ("Oz") has been voicing "Chris Griffin" on

FOX's monumental TV classic 'Family Guy' since it first premiered back in 1999.

In a video short on a season one disc of 'Family Guy', Green talked about how

much "easier" doing voice-over work is compared to acting in front of the camera

and how much he enjoyed it. This must have been true - since Green later would

co-create the [Adult Swim] classic 'Robot Chicken' in 2005. If we're lucky, Green

will answer the call when / if Joss begins casting for 'BtAS'. Other former "Scoobies" have mentioned

being "open" or "not against the idea" of returning to Sunnydale... but nothing really concrete - or if

they have already been contacted. In a nutshell, people involved with the "development" of 'BtAS'

either aren't being very talkative about this project - or just haven't been able to focus their attention

to it. A 3 min 35 sec pilot (shown to industry big-shots late '04 to help sell the show) was inked and

featured BtVS's Anthony Stewart Head ("Giles"), Alyson Hannigan ("Willow"), Nicholas Brendon

("Xander"), and again - replacing Gellar - Giselle Loren (as "Buffy"). For 4 long years, it eluded the

Buffyverse and created quite a stir... until it was finally leaked on YouTube on Friday August 1, 2008.

Meanwhile, fans everywhere are going nuts waiting for any solid news about this series. Whatever

emerges from all of this, it's obvious that fans across the globe want to see it happen. It's now up

to Joss to make it happen. Hopefully, we haven't seen the last of "Buffy" and the Hellmouth.

grrrrrr..... arrrrrgh !!!

Update August 2, 2008: IT'S HERE !! After 4 long years of waiting, the 3 min 35 sec pilot episode

of 'Buffy the Animated Series' has finally hit the internet. Leaked on YouTube August 1, 2008, this

finally lays the rumors to rest... but doesn't necessarily mean Joss is moving forward with 'BtAS'....

only that SOMEONE out there has definately shown the Buffyverse a whole lotta love. Big thanks to

eveyone who contacted me about this... and to Sean who even emailed me the clip itself. So... what

are you waiting for? Head on over to the 'Pilot' page and check it out. YIPPEEEEEE !!!!

Update August 7, 2008: SHOW YOUR SUPPORT !! After realizing just how many people were in

support of 'Buffy the Animated Series', I linked an external online petition so you can do more than

just drool over the pilot episode and concept sketches. Make sure to show your support so we can

show Joss and crew just how much we want to see more 'Buffy'. 2,054 signatures and growing !!!!