"Cowboy Bebop" Is Happening!

"Cowboy Bebop" Is Happening!

Thats right, the Keanu Reeves as Spike, Cowboy Bebop!

News
By MarkCassidy - Jun 26, 2009 08:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Anime & Manga
Source: io9.com

Anime fans may have felt a bullet was dodged when plans for a live action "Akira" were scrapped, but not so lucky with the much loved "Cowboy Bebop"



There were rumors going around for a while about a live action movie starring Keanu Reeves as main character Spike Spiegle. Well, they aint rumore no more! I have never watched Cowboy Bebop but i have heard great things about it, and also some fans outrage that a movie was even being made, much less with Reeves in the lead. But its not all bad news...

Writer Peter Craig is a huge fan of the original animated series, and he spent some quality time with the original studio, Sunrise, talking about their take on the show and how it might convert to live-action. He mentions that he's a fan of many of the minor characters from the original episodes, namechecks a lot of story elements he loves:

"I've probably watched every episode at least three or four times now - and I really adore what a complete world Watanabe and Nobumoto created. I was also extremely drawn to all of the characters' backstories: Faye's amnesia after being taken out of cryogenic freeze, and the con played on her; Spike's history in the Syndicate and with Julia; Jet's days as a cop on Ganymede, and his run-in with Udai Taxim."

Lets hope for the best!
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vonstallin
vonstallin - 6/26/2009, 8:17 AM
"FIRST" of all I love it !!!!
lol

I think KR can pull this off... Spike isn't a super emotional character at all... and if you look at KR's other movies like The Boat House he can change....some...lol
ManhuntersBastardChild
ManhuntersBastardChild - 6/26/2009, 8:32 AM
I love that Anime is getting made all over the place, but really, they need to focus on the great ones for the screen: those with substance, comedy, action, powerful yet plausible plots (see. dragonball fail!). Cowboy Bebeop is definitely one of the greats, and it's awesome to hear that they are making a movie.

i have to say that physically, Keanu is almost the best fit that comes to mind. Character-wise, i don't know. I still haven't decided if Keanu's a great actor or a terrible one.

Now all we have to do is get them to make a "great" Berserk movie!
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/26/2009, 8:34 AM
I dont mind Reeves at all, i usually enjoy his movies even if hes not the best actor in the world. I had just heard such backlash on here when the rumor was doing the rounds!
ManhuntersBastardChild
ManhuntersBastardChild - 6/26/2009, 8:36 AM
oh yeah, forgot to add that the original soundtrack needs to be used in the movie to recreate that same multicultural funky space ambience. Yoko Kanno's work on it was absolutely fantastic!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/26/2009, 8:43 AM
Cool news ROR ; )

REEVES will do the character justice!
Soilworley
Soilworley - 6/26/2009, 8:53 AM
He knows a lot about the series thats for damn sure.
It depends on who else they get for the other roles.
Shaman
Shaman - 6/26/2009, 8:59 AM
Never was a fan of the anime. Hope the movie kicks ass.
Kyos
Kyos - 6/26/2009, 9:03 AM
Love the series. Love the movie. Love the characters. Love the soundtrack.

Not so much love the idea of a live action movie with Keanu Reeves...
JYCowboy
JYCowboy - 6/26/2009, 9:12 AM
I hope it turns around the stigma that Speedracer left on anima films.

I really want to see a Space Criuser Yamato(aka Starblazers) live action pic... even if its done by Disney.
animeex
animeex - 6/26/2009, 9:38 AM
Bebop is the best! I hope it is really done right and that they really watched the episodes. I had sent this in... I feel so special. Here is the link I sent to you guys...

http://www.animevice.com/news/writer-peter-craig-speaks-on-cowboy-bebop-flick/1552/
Kyos
Kyos - 6/26/2009, 9:42 AM
Does anybody know if there are any news on the american live action version of the anime 'Monster'? I vaguely remember Keanu Reeves was in talks for the main role (at least between some fans), and the story was to be relocated to take place in the USA. Which would be complete nonsense, since it's a story about a japanese surgeon living in Germany...

superdog
superdog - 6/26/2009, 9:49 AM
i think keanu is alright. im just afraid of this rush to make everything live action. there are just some thinks that dont and cant translate to film. japanese anime specifically i think lends itself to specifically animated medium. i mean haw can you make the big eyes skinny chins and funky spikey hair.
selinakyle
selinakyle - 6/26/2009, 9:59 AM
Wow...Keanu? Dude is ones of the worst actors alive! He is hot but man does his acting suck. So one dimensional. His best role to date was playing an emotion-less Alien in "day the earth stood still". Reason being he wasn't required to emote at all!I still haven't forgiven him for even stepping into the role of Constantine. Anyways...i am not attached to this series so they can feel free.
BryEL
BryEL - 6/26/2009, 10:45 AM
Wow, this really makes me nervous. Seriously, this "can't" and most likely "won't" work. Gotta love Keanu, but not as Spike.
ReikoLJ
ReikoLJ - 6/26/2009, 11:23 AM
UHHHHH NO.
Spike was such an awesome character. Why ruin him with Mr Wooden.
Geez. Way to honor such an awesome anime.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/26/2009, 12:05 PM
aw cmon MsKyle08, hes been good in stuff. A Scanner Darkly, The Matrix, Street Kings..i actually like him as Constantine even though it obviously was a bastardization of the character. He was very good in The Devils Advocate even though i didnt like the movie. That being said, he has stunk up the screen on many occassions too so i understand the backlash
summerbabe87
summerbabe87 - 6/26/2009, 12:22 PM
He'll do a really good job. Looks like he'll have to use his Ted Logan hairstyle lol.
selinakyle
selinakyle - 6/26/2009, 12:23 PM
But is it him tho? or the movie itself thats good? I haven't seen scanner darkly so i cant really comment. But street kings, the matrix...im sorry he was so bloody wooden. I just re watched street kings and i thought to myself..man this dude sucks as an actor.
Constantine...when you read the book and you understand the characters and the complexities, you cant help but be pissed. They completely butchered the movie.Devil's Advocate was good cos of Al Pacino and the supporting cast. Keanu always has like this stare..like he is starring into nothingness..which he then transfers to his character. Ok im gonna stop now.
I wouldn't mind having his babies tho.
Phoenix9109
Phoenix9109 - 6/26/2009, 1:00 PM
Cowboy Bebop really is one of the greatest anime series. If you don't have the time or commitment to watch the series, you should at least check out the (animated) movie. You don't need knowledge of the series to enjoy it.

That being said, I have no idea what to think about this movie. The writer I'm pretty sold on, but Keanu Reeves as Spike? I don't think I like that too much, but we'll see.
thegreek
thegreek - 6/26/2009, 1:04 PM
I think Keanu is a good pick i like the majority of his movies he isn't that bad of actor... Constantine was great i wanted the them to make a 2nd one...
SGA
SGA - 6/26/2009, 1:54 PM
For those saying Reeves isn't the man for the job and saying he's a stiff actor...in his last few movies since Matrix...yeah (except Hardball), but all his characters needed that kind of distant feel.

But does nobody remember how awesome he was in Bill & Ted?
Spock
Spock - 6/26/2009, 2:52 PM
This is a great anime series. but I hope they have the flow to pull it off. Please nothing Like 1st of the North Star.
Chimichanga
Chimichanga - 6/26/2009, 2:53 PM
Sigh...I gotta say I'm sitting in the "nervous" camp with this one right now. I feel like Keanu and Nicholas Cage are in the same category where I ask myself, "how do these bad actors, every now and then, keep finding their way into good movies?"

Spike was a great character and deserves some proper treatment, as does this anime as a whole. I'm going to try and stay positive, but there is just so much they will have to get right for this to work on top of proper casting. The music, for instance, should be a high priority, and that whole "futuristic/western/noir" look could be a difficult thing to pull off properly as well.

Ah well...fingers crossed. And hey, if it sucks, hopefully it will at least be a fall/winter release...easier to sneak booze into the theater when you're wearing a coat. Beer and pretzel bites..mmmmm.
JigJRod55
JigJRod55 - 6/26/2009, 3:09 PM
Old news, [frick] you for reminding me.
HSXgirl
HSXgirl - 6/26/2009, 3:34 PM
Keanu seems so totally addicted to the series, so enthralled with it - like all of us - so I think he's the best choice to play Spike. And why wouldn't Spike get proper treatment? Give the production crew some credit. And he needn't wear a green afro wig as everyone loves to go on about. A spiked hairdo will suffice.
BLADE4040
BLADE4040 - 6/26/2009, 3:44 PM
I dont know anything about Cowboy Bebop,but Reeves sure looks like him. I think Reeves is a decent actor not great but decent. I meet him at L.A.X A FEW YEARS BACK REALLY COOL GUY.
Betty
Betty - 6/26/2009, 3:44 PM
Yeah, I think he's a great choice. If I HAD to gripe, I'd say they could have gone a little bit younger actor. I dont know how old Spike is supposed to be in the series.

I think it's gonna be fun. Now we can argue over who's gonna be tank, Faye, and the dog.

OOO! The ship design! That'll be cool!
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/26/2009, 3:56 PM
Man i need to see this thing..what the hell is it about anyway? I could use wiki, but i want you to tell me darlings!
Betty
Betty - 6/26/2009, 4:11 PM
Ror--What, Cowboy Beebop? Dude!
shibazz
shibazz - 6/26/2009, 5:09 PM
Hell Yessss!!!! i loved this Cartoon! I hope that Ed gets casted next!

@Shaman and others.... who is your choice to cast as Ed?
Osiris
Osiris - 6/26/2009, 5:12 PM
as long as this doesn't turn out like DB:E then maybe there is still hope for Anime to live action yet, plus Blood The last Vampire looks amazing as well.
Bandrews1
Bandrews1 - 6/26/2009, 7:56 PM
I got to wait and see some promotion of this before I make a decision, because I'm not really sure about this, and I'm a big Cowboy Bebop fan.
starscream4president
starscream4president - 6/26/2009, 8:18 PM
I'm a big cowboy bebop fan and for those who want to catch up on the goodies of the anime genre you should watch my following personal list of favorites animes:
1. Astro
2. Akira
3. Evangelion
4. Dragon Ball (forget GT)
5. Ninja Scroll
6. Ghost in the Shell 1 & 2
7. Cowboy Bebop
8. Avatar: the last air bender
9. Vampire Hunter D
10. Naruto (of course)
11. Knights of the Zodiac (old but still a classic)
12. Lupin the third
13. Ranma 1/2
14. Blood: the last vampire
15. Blue 6 (THE most gorgeous I have ever seen)
16. Metropolis
17. Mazinger
18. Inuyasha
19. G Force (not the Disney movie please)
20. Zenki
21. Capitaine Flamme (I only know this in french sorry)
22. Fist of the north star
23. Captain Tsubasa
24. Spirited Away

If you manage to see all of those, then you have enough material to start talking anime with any fan.
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