Sarah Michelle Gellar & Elijah Wood Discuss Their Horror Returns in Ready or Not 2 & Buffy & The Faculty Revivals [Exclusive]

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The horror film Ready or Not 2 features a deadly game of hide-and-seek with victims and those doing the hunting, all overseen by a creepy host who sets the rules. Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Sarah Michelle Gellar and Lord of the Rings‘ Elijah Wood play the roles of the hunters.

Okay, so the sequel throws Grace – played by Samara Weaving – right back into this messed-up game run by those super-rich, seriously messed-up families who made a deal with the devil, that guy Le Bail. This time, things are even more twisted because she’s forced to play with her sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), and they’ve literally handcuffed them together. It’s a nightmare, and it guarantees both of them are stuck playing, whether they want to or not.

Ursula Gellar and her brother Titus Hatosy have a consistently hostile relationship and are constantly trying to outmaneuver each other in the movie. Throughout it all, a mysterious Lawyer, played by Wood, oversees everything, makes sure the rules are followed, and clarifies the potential consequences.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and James Wood discussed the changing trends in horror, their experiences working with David Cronenberg, video games, and the planned reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This conversation took place before Gellar announced the Buffy revival was no longer happening.

Sarah and Elijah, you’re both iconic figures in the horror genre! Sarah, you’ve worked on huge titles like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream 2, and The Grudge, while Elijah has starred in films like The Faculty, Maniac, The Toxic Avenger, and The Monkey. Considering all that experience, how has the horror landscape evolved since you first started working in it?

Elijah Wood notes that the genre has changed a lot since the 1990s. He remembers his first genre film being The Faculty, which was part of a wave of popular teen horror movies at the time.

Sarah Michelle Gellar: That was right around the time of I Know What You Did… and Scream.

It definitely feels like things have changed a lot over time. Horror, especially vampire films, is now being taken much more seriously as an art form. The success of movies like Sinners, with all the awards it’s received, really proves that. For a long time, horror was often dismissed as low-budget or cheesy, but it feels like we’re in a good period where all types of horror can thrive and be appreciated for its artistic merit. These things tend to go in cycles, but right now, it’s a really healthy time for the genre.

We’ve been discussing giving the genre a fresh image. There’s a perception that horror is cheap or low-quality, and we want to move away from that. Someone described these films as ‘Trojan Horse’ films today, which is a great way to put it. They’re entertaining on the surface, but often contain really meaningful themes. Plus, for actors, horror offers some of the most complex and rewarding roles. Especially in the world Radio Silence has built, you get a mix of horror, drama, and action all in one.

Your characters really stand out when they first appear. What was it like acting alongside the famous David Cronenberg?

We were incredibly fortunate! He was such a kind and gracious person. Everyone was truly excited to work with him, and he immediately put us all at ease – even the crew. He simply wanted to be a part of the film as an actor, and he’s a big fan of Radio Silence. It was surreal because I was staying in a hotel right next to the Toronto Walk of Fame. I’d see his star every morning while getting coffee, and then, suddenly, he was right there with us.

Let me tell you, working with Woody Allen was a genuine pleasure. There was this incredible energy on set – you could just feel the respect everyone had for him. I even spotted a couple of crew members rocking vintage t-shirts from his classic movies! He was so approachable and happy to chat about his life and work, which was really lovely. And honestly, it’s amazing – he’s still making films and still so creatively vibrant. A true master.

It briefly appeared that Ursula and the Lawyer were unsure about whether to help Grace and Faith. Do you think they were truly committed to this dangerous scheme?

When I play a character who isn’t necessarily ‘good,’ I always look for what makes them human. If a character is just purely evil, it’s hard to root for them – you just want them to be stopped. Think of a typical Bond villain; if they’re simply bad without any explanation, it’s hard to connect with them. Usually, there’s a reason behind someone’s choices, whether it’s a difficult past or how they were raised. I think both myself and other actors try to find that underlying motivation, so the audience can understand the character and follow their story in a meaningful way, rather than just seeing a simple ‘good versus evil’ plot.

I completely agree with Sarah’s points about the Lawyer. His personal feelings about Grace and Faith aren’t really relevant. He’s seen situations like this play out countless times – wealthy families scrambling for power, and frankly, they’re often unpleasant people. So, when someone does something surprising, he’s almost gleeful about it. That’s his mindset in the third act of the movie.

Elijah, it was great seeing you back with Shawn Hatosy! Did you two happen to talk about the possibility of making another ‘Faculty’ movie?

It was really good to see Shawn again – I hadn’t seen him since we were promoting The Faculty back in ’97 or ’98. Working with him again was a lot of fun, and we naturally talked about the movie. I know there was talk of a reboot, but that didn’t pan out, and I don’t know what the current plans are. At one point, they were considering a sequel, which I think would be awesome. I’d love to see someone revisit that world and bring those characters back to life.

You know, it’s funny looking back. When I interviewed Sarah about Wolf Pack, she was so against even thinking about a Buffy reboot. She was really firm about not wanting to be involved in any kind of Buffy project at all!

Gellar: Let me guess. I said never.

So, a Buffy reboot is actually happening. What convinced you that this new version of the Buffy universe – and the new version of Buffy herself – was a good idea?

I don’t mind people reminding me that I once said ‘never,’ because I genuinely believed that at the time. It taught me a valuable lesson: especially when talking about the future, avoid saying ‘never.’ Instead, say something like, ‘I don’t think that will happen,’ because you might end up looking foolish if you’re proven wrong.

I genuinely believed that was where I stood, and no one presented a convincing argument to change my mind. Then Chloe Zhao approached me with a clear vision and solid reasons. I was also at a turning point in my life, and the world felt different. Even with that, it took four years to finally get this project off the ground. I’d initially agree, then back out a month later, constantly changing my mind – I was like Cameron Frye from Ferris Bueller, always second-guessing myself. It took six years to make a sequel to Ready or Not, and doing things properly simply takes time. I initially turned Chloe down many times, but her passion and the compelling reasons she gave for wanting to make this film, and why it needed to be made now, ultimately convinced me.

When updating something with a history, it’s crucial to have a good reason – don’t just do it for the sake of change.

Gellar: This is not a cash grab to have a job. 

When using wood, it’s important to truly connect with the material. It should be a deliberate choice, driven by authenticity. If there isn’t a genuine reason to use it, it’s best not to.

It’s amusing, I remember saying that while working on Wolf Pack. That must mean I was already talking with Chloe, likely during one of the times I was hesitant about moving forward. I’m trying to figure out how long Chloe and I have been collaborating on this project – I think that’s what I was referring to.

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2026-03-17 21:41