Should The Vampire Diaries Get a Reboot?

As someone who grew up with the magical world of Mystic Falls and its supernatural inhabitants, I must admit that the thought of a reboot for The Vampire Diaries fills me with both excitement and apprehension. On one hand, the idea of stepping back into the shoes of Elena, Stefan, Damon, and their kin is tantalizing, but on the other, the fear of tarnishing the beloved stories of our favorite characters looms large.

15 years ago, I was captivated by the world of Mystic Falls and its supernatural inhabitants when The Vampire Diaries graced our screens on September 10, 2009. This show, based on L.J. Smith’s book series, ran for 8 seasons before concluding in 2017, spawning two spin-offs: The Originals and Legacies, each with multiple seasons of their own. It also inspired comic books, web series, novels, and more.

As a passionate fan of The Vampire Diaries, I’ve always held onto the hope that this captivating series might return. However, even the creators themselves aren’t fully sold on the idea of a straight-up reboot. Julie Plec, one of the co-creators, shared with Deadline that while she wants to keep the universe thriving, her preference leans towards exploring “a new path” instead of just rehashing old stories.

In simpler terms, Plec expressed that he believes there are methods to preserve the universe’s existence without having to restart everything from scratch. If someone were to ask for his preference, he would clearly choose a different path. However, it’s fascinating to see how these shows have left an indelible mark on pop culture during their time and continue to resonate with fans who grew up with them. Even new audiences are now able to enjoy these stories.

The lead actors of the show aren’t advocating for a reboot yet, as Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert) expressed her belief that it’s still premature for such a move last year. However, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of working together again with the series cast in the future.

Wow, I find it premature to discuss a revival since the series concluded not too long ago, as Nina expressed. However, I maintain close relationships with Paul, Kayla, Candice, Kat, and many others from the show, given its significant impact on our lives for such an extended period. As a result, it’s challenging not to keep in touch and reunite when possible.

Wesley, who portrayed Stefan Salvatore, has been clear about not desiring a return to his character. To him, his stint as the cherished vampire seems concluded.

Wesley stated in 2023, “I don’t pine for anything regarding my time playing him, and I assure you this is not a [negative sentiment.]” He expressed, “Playing the character for eight years has come to an end, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Eight seasons were spent on that show. To prevent the storyline from becoming repetitive, each season brought a new arc for the character. At one point, he was entirely evil, yet he started as a good character and ended as a good one again. I found it rewarding to strive for keeping the character interesting.

Although not all the original actors might agree with reprising their roles, a reboot wouldn’t compulsorily necessitate their return, but this very point can make a reboot less appealing. A significant aspect that endeared The Vampire Diaries and its spinoff series The Originals to many is the acting talent and performances. It could be challenging for viewers to accept anyone other than Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore or Joseph Morgan portraying antagonist Klaus Mikaelson, especially since Morgan’s character led The Originals. Additionally, it might be tough for some fans to accept a new interpretation of the story given how the fates of key characters were resolved. The finale of The Originals, in particular, is cherished by many fans of the franchise, and any reboot could face difficulties in recreating that ending satisfactorily. Furthermore, for some viewers, a reboot of The Vampire Diaries might need to be a significantly different series altogether — not just because of casting changes, but also because fans have longed for a more faithful adaptation of Smith’s novels.

Perhaps the biggest reason The Vampire Diaries — and by extension its whole franchise universe — doesn’t need a reboot is that television as we know it now simply wouldn’t support it. To start with, the network where The Vampire Diaries thrived functionally no longer exists in the same way. Nexstar acquired The CW in 2022 and soon after began a major shift in its content. In May 2022, the network cancelled numerous series — including Legacies — and since then have begun to focus more on shows acquired from outside of the United States, unscripted programming, and sports. Prior to the programming change, The CW was one of the only networks where series geared towards a young adult audiences really had a place. Now, such programming would need to shift to streamers.

In today’s TV landscape, having an 8-episode season for a show like “The Vampire Diaries” could pose significant challenges. Traditionally, a 22-episode season was the norm, but nowadays, series are opting for shorter seasons with longer breaks in between, and sometimes they don’t even get additional seasons. Crafting a compelling storyline that maintained the popularity of “The Vampire Diaries” over such a limited number of episodes while also attracting enough viewers to secure further seasons would be no easy feat. Given the trend of shows within established franchises like Star Wars being sometimes short-lived, it’s worth questioning whether “The Vampire Diaries” could survive in today’s TV environment at all.

Despite not requiring a reboot of “The Vampire Diaries” right now or it not being the best option, that doesn’t mean the story must conclude. Previously in 2022, Julie Plec hinted at additional installments within the universe of “The Vampire Diaries,” suggesting there are more ideas and possibilities to explore. However, she has also mentioned alternative ways, such as a movie or other mediums, to continue or revisit the story that aren’t necessarily reboots. For Plec, reviving something like “Twilight” in an animated series is a possibility, but ultimately, there are fresh stories waiting to be told.

Paul Wesley and I recently exchanged texts as he was intrigued by the news about the Twilight animated series, expressing his thoughts “Why don’t we do this?”. I agreed, saying “That’s a great point, let’s consider it.” In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Plec shared that there are numerous chances to maintain and expand this universe. For me, it’s all about finding the perfect idea at the right moment, as I’m ready when the time comes. Leslie Morgenstein hinted at a Vampire Diaries movie back in season two, suggesting he may still be pursuing it discreetly. We have brainstormed various ways to revisit cherished aspects of the story or create a fresh take on it. Conversations about revisiting this world are ongoing, and I have an idea for a story that I’d like to tell one day, so we’ll see what happens.

The Vampire Diaries is now streaming on Peacock and Max.

2024-09-15 02:40

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