Seth Green, forever remembered as Willow’s hairy boyfriend ‘Oz’ on “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer”, is returning to the world of fantasy TV – and possible convention appearances – with a role on NBC’s super-hit “Heroes”.

“They have a first page that says, like, ‘Keep our secrets,’ ” Green tells EW. “We’re starting on set Monday. That’s what this whole beard is for.” Facial hair aside, Green admits he would’ve done anything for the gig: “I’m a really big fan of the show,” he says, “and I kind of begged for a long time to see if there was anything I could do.”

In addition, Green’s real-life bud Breckin Meyer (“Road Trip”, “Clueless”), with whom he shared the screen with in “Josie and the Pussycats”, has also won a role on the show.

On a side note, Green tells EW that the long-gestating “Italian Job” sequel – which has been on IMDB for years – will forever remain dormant.

“That’s been listed as ‘In Production’ for over four years, and maybe you’ll print this and someone will actually stop saying that!” he says. “There are a couple of scripts that have been written, but in the last six years since we made the movie, Paramount’s hierarchy has changed hands four times and it’s never seemed to be a priority for the studio to make the movie.”

Paramount will make a “Without a Paddle 2”, but not an “Italian Job 2”? Yep, some smart folks over there at Melrose Avenue.