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From Scifi.com

Sarah Michelle Gellar

"The Grudge" Balances New And Old

Wednesday 11 August 2004, by Webmaster

Sarah Michelle Gellar, a name synonymous with versatility and enduring appeal, began her illustrious career in the entertainment industry as a child. Discovered by a talent agent at a young age, Gellar’s screen debut came at the tender age of six with the television film "An Invasion of Privacy" in 1983. Her early promise led to a leading role in the teen drama series "Swans Crossing" in 1992, but it was her portrayal of Kendall Hart on the ABC soap opera "All My Children" (1993-1995) that earned her a Daytime Emmy Award and catapulted her into the limelight.

SMG’s true claim to international fame, however, was her iconic role as Buffy Summers in the groundbreaking series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997-2003). Her performance not only garnered her five Teen Choice Awards, a Saturn Award, and a Golden Globe nomination, but it also cemented her status as a cultural icon. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s filmography is equally impressive, with box office hits like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997), "Scream 2" (1997), "Cruel Intentions" (1999), "Scooby-Doo" (2002), and "The Grudge" (2004) collectively grossing over $570 million globally.

Beyond her cinematic successes, Gellar has made her mark on television, headlining shows such as "Ringer" (2011-2012), "The Crazy Ones" (2013-2014), and "Wolf Pack" (2023). She has also lent her voice to popular series including "Robot Chicken" (2005-2018), "Star Wars Rebels" (2015-2016), and "Masters of the Universe: Revelation" (2021).

In 2015, Gellar ventured into the entrepreneurial world by co-founding Foodstirs, an e-commerce baking company, and published her own cookbook, "Stirring Up Fun with Food," in 2017. Gellar is also known for her close-knit family life, married to actor Freddie Prinze Jr. since 2002, with whom she shares two children.

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s commitment to her craft is matched by her dedication to personal growth and unique experiences. An accomplished martial artist, she studied Tae Kwon Do for five years, alongside kickboxing, boxing, street fighting, and gymnastics. Her dedication to authenticity in her roles is evident, such as her commitment to doing her own stunts in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," though she admitted her limits during filming "Scream 2."

Her career is also marked by interesting anecdotes, such as her role in a 1982 Burger King commercial, which led to a lawsuit from McDonald’s and a temporary ban from their establishments. Notably, she dyed her naturally brunette hair blonde for her role in "Buffy," and legally changed her last name to Prinze as a surprise for her husband on their fifth anniversary.

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s legacy extends beyond her on-screen roles, encompassing her work in philanthropy and her reputation for safety and professionalism on set. She remains a beloved figure in Hollywood, admired for her talent, dedication, and the breadth of her contributions to film and television.

Takashi Shimizu, director of the upcoming horror movie The Grudge, told SCI FI Wire that he embraced the chance to update his original Japanese supernatural horror film Ju-On, about a curse and a vengeful ghost. "When I did the original Japanese version of The Grudge I had no idea that it would be released in America," Shimizu said in an interview. "I only concentrated on what a Japanese audience gets scared of. For the American remake, I had to adjust my ideas for what is scary to American people. At the same time, the American producers said [the original version] is really scary and then decided to do the remake, so I believe that if they didn’t think the original version was scary then they wouldn’t have wanted to do the remake."

Shimizu directed the American-produced, English-language remake with American actors Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jason Behr, but shot it in Tokyo and included many of the original film’s Japanese actors.

Shimizu said that he trusted his own instincts about what is truly scary in his films, whether they are made for Japan or America. But he admitted that some minor changes had to be made. "I trust that the Japanese or Asian horror is going to be interpreted into the American [sensibility] well enough," the Japanese director said via an interpreter. "But at the same time, it’s crucial to adjust some parts for an American audience so that they will feel like the remake is really scary also." Regardless of these adjustments, Shimizu said that the differences won’t be significant. "There isn’t much difference between the American version and the Japanese version," he said. The Grudge is set to open Oct. 22.