Anthony Stewart Head, who played the character of Rupert Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer a long, long time ago, has hinted that the British spin-off Ripper (which would star the character of Giles) is not outside the realm of possibility.

Granted, there are a few pitfalls in the way. Creator Joss Whedon is busy with his series Dollhouse and his upcoming movie Cabin in the Woods. Plus there may be some confusion regarding the character if they get that Whedon-less Buffy movie made.

There is definitely still life left in the Buffy franchise (look at all the successful series and movies out there involving vampires with a female protagonist). I'm sorry Joss didn't use that Eliza Dushku contract to make a series about the character of Faith rather than Dollhouse, although I understand his creative need to spread his wings. In my mind, there is only a matter of time before they make a feature film that is a direct spin-off from the television series that involves Joss Whedon and doesn't suck. Fingers crossed.

Every fan of Buffy has his or her own favorite main character (or characters). But what of the merely recurring characters? You've got Halfrek, the Vengeance Demon (sorry ... "Justice Demon"), Amy the witch/rat and Mr. Trick, to name a few. But there's one character who's always fascinated me, a character with a long, dark and mysterious past filled with magic, mayhem and chaos. I speak, of course, about Rupert "Ripper" Giles' mate from the old days, Ethan Rayne.

Lately when people discuss Joss Whedon, it's having to do with his comic book writing and, of course, the upcoming new series, Dollhouse. What seems to have slipped off the radar is any discussion about the made-for-BBC Rupert Giles-centric, Buffy spin-off, Ripper. We get bits and pieces and clues here and there regarding the show's current state, but nothing seems very concrete.

In a recent interview with Digital Spy, Anthony Stewart Head discusses his newest project on BBC One, The Invisibles, but he also drops an update on the state of Ripper and posts his thoughts on the Buffy Season Eight comic.

Who's the King of Comic-Con? Kevin Smith or Joss Whedon? Kevin may have pulled ahead with this afternoon's Heroes announcement, but Joss' fans come bearing gifts. Seriously. At least half the people asking questions had gifts to lay at the master's feet. Fortunately for us, Joss came equipped with a gift or two himself.

If you don't want one Buffy Season 8 spoiler, don't follow the jump.

I'll have a full report later, but good news for Buffy fans. Joss is currently in talks with the BBC and Mr. Anthony Stewart Head. Plans are almost a go for RIPPER! Ripper is the long-rumored story of Giles pre-Buffy. Who knows what the plot will actually be, but Whedon reported here at Comic-Con - literally, like, five minutes ago - that negotiations are close to finished on a ninety minute BBC special - Ripper.