James Marsters

James Marsters, who plays Victor Stein on Marvel’s ‘Runaways’ gave an interview following the ‘Runaways’ panel, and the topic turned to the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ reboot that was announced last month.

‘Buffy’ fans will remember Marsters as Spike in the original Joss Whedon adaptation. In the series, Spike was implanted with a chip that prevented him from hurting humans and joined Buffy’s crew upon realizing that couldn’t be a monster anymore. Cue the unrequited love, one fling, and Spike’s departure.

When asked if he would return for the ‘Buffy’ reboot, Marsters said:

“I am open to whatever Joss has in mind. Whether that’s playing Spike or something else, I told him a long time ago. Joss’s mind is always surprising so I’m open to playing Spike if Joss is involved.”

While Marsters is still looking great, it has been 14 years since he played Spike, who was a vampire who didn’t age. De-aging Marsters for the role would take work, but it could be done. He explained:

“I think we’d have to get some really good lighting together to sell Spike, but they are doing more and more and more, both with actor health and with special effects. What would be great is if he comes back and he’s like, ‘Buffy, you look terrible. I still love you of course.’ That would be fun.”

Whedon is executive producing the reboot led by Monica Owusu-Breen, who developed the idea of an African-American vampire slayer. Marsters made it clear that he supports the idea of a new slayer, saying:

“I think it is fabulous. I saw a tweet by the woman who sold the idea that she wants an entirely new slayer within the universe established by ‘Buffy.’ So she’s not going to be Buffy the vampire slayer. It’s going to be Sabrina or whatever it is and I think that’s a great way to go. I’m very excited about it. I think that the world very much needs a new slayer right now.”

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