'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Reboot Losing Steam After Firing Writer

Here's a bit of good news for those who've been dreading the Whedon-free Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot since it was first announced. Warner Bros. is now looking for a new screenwriter after rejecting the script submitted by first-time screenwriter Whit Anderson this fall, and the project is now in danger of falling apart altogether. I'm not often excited to hear about a movie that's not happening, but I think I'll make a rare exception for this one. Read more after the jump.

A new screenwriter is being sought, but the project is losing steam — not least because the producers were concerned by the fan outcry that greeted the announcement of the project last fall. Original series creator Joss Whedon was among those less than thrilled about the reboot, and has said so publicly. "Obviously, I have strong, mixed emotions about something like this," he said in email to E! at the time. "I don't love the idea of my creation in other hands, but... I can't wish people who are passionate about my little myth."

I hate to be one of those overprotective fans, and I can understand why the studio would want to jump on the Buffy brand name in these vampire- and reboot-obsessed times. But so much of the original show's appeal lay in Whedon's unique voice; take that away and Buffy could easily become just another Twilight knockoff. As much as I love Buffy Summers, I'd be perfectly happy to see this incarnation of her stay dead.