"Coast On Watch For Obsessed Fan: The Stalking Of A Slayer"
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin
Author: Amy Harris
Transcribed by: Friday
Date: 04.02.01
SECURITY on the Gold Coast set of Hollywood blockbuster Scooby-Doo has been beefed up to protect its star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, from an obsessed fan. The Australian Federal Police have been alerted to the behaviour of the fan and Gellar, best known for her role as TV's vampire slayer Buffy, has 24-hour personal security.
It is understood Gellar has been forced to move from a Cronin Island mansion after the male fan, believed to be in his early 20s, found out she was staying there. The man had already gained access to the Scooby-Doo set when attempting to land work as an extra. It is understood the man managed to schedule an interview for a position on the film but was turned down.
A publicist for Scooby-Doo confirmed a fan had been causing problems but would not elaborate. "I don't think it would be wise to elaborate on this too much because we just don't know what could happen," she said. Gellar, who plays Daphne in the multimillion-dollar production due to be finished in July, is aware of the fan and is rarely seen without her burly personal security guard. She and her boyfriend, co-star Freddie Prinze Jr, were accompanied by bodyguards when they went to see a movie at the Pacific Fair cinema last weekend. A photographer who took a picture of the couple leaving after watching a new Jeff Bridges' film, The Contender, was chased around the shopping centre by security guards. It is understood Prinze Jr was recently turned away from a local nightclub after the 'suspect' fan was spotted inside.
The live version of Scooby-Doo is one of the biggest films to be made on the Gold Coast and fans of the cult TV hit Buffy had been hoping to catch glimpses of the young star during her five months on the Coast. Fans staked out Brisbane's Tennyson Powerhouse earlier this month during filming sessions for the movie but Gellar arrived with towels over her head and surrounded by security. Early during filming, fans also waited at the Berlin Lounge Bar in Surfers Paradise which was meant to be the venue for a staff and crew party. However, Scooby-Doo co-star Matthew Lillard was the only big name to attend.