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Nearly 30 years after Sarah Michelle Gellar first picked up a stake as Buffy Summers, the former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star is once again facing creatures of the night — although this time her weapon of choice is garlic.
Gellar has teamed with Buffalo Wild Wings for a playful vampire-themed campaign promoting the restaurant’s limited-time Fright Feast menu. The Halloween lineup includes Vampire Hunter Wings tossed in Black Garlic Glaze and finished with Spicy Garlic Drizzle, Black Garlic Glaze Cheese Curds and a black-cherry Vampirita. The promotion runs from September 30 through November 9 at participating locations. Inspire Stories
For Gellar, the chance to return to vampire territory — albeit with tongue firmly planted in cheek — had an enthusiastic supporter at home: her 14-year-old son, Rocky. “I have a 14-year-old son, so as you can imagine, there are a lot of Buffalo Wild Wings in my house, so he was so excited,” Gellar told People. She was equally taken with the concept, calling the campaign “fun and kitschy” and adding, “Yeah, of course I want to be a part of that.” (People.com)
Sarah Michelle Gellar on Buffy Nearly 30 Years Later
The timing is particularly appropriate for Gellar, since Buffy the Vampire Slayer will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027. The series premiered March 10, 1997, and Gellar believes its staying power comes from something deeper than nostalgia. “I think as an actor, you hope you do work that not only means something to people, but withstands the test of time,” she told People. “And I think with that show, we really made that.”
More importantly, she believes the themes that made Buffy connect with viewers in the first place haven’t aged with the calendar. “It doesn’t matter if it’s in 1997 or 2027,” Gellar said. “Thematically it resonates.”