Keanu Reeves Talks 'Cowboy Bebop'
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, RumorMonger, 20th Century Fox, Comic/Superhero/Geek
The last time news about Fox's live-action version of the classic Anime Cowboy Bebop popped up, it seemed like most fans weren't exactly thrilled with the whole idea. So, I'm awfully curious to hear what they think of Keanu Reeves' latest comments over at the MTV Movie Blog. Reeves recently spoke with MTV about the project and he told them, "We've got the rights, we've got a writer" -- which could lend a bit of truth to the rumors that Fox was fast-tracking the project for a 2010 release.Bebop premiered in Japan in 1998, and followed the adventures of a group of bounty hunters in the year 2071. The series was renowned for its complex stories and characters, and it's inventive use of classic rock and pop songs in the narrative. Reeves tells MTV that the outline for the film is "currently focusing on the origins of the fictional "Bebop" drug developed by the military, which provides its users with a brief surge of superhuman reflexes and awareness. "We're taking the Red Eye [story], the beginning part of the series, and then we'll deal with the end of the series. We're trying to figure out [the time frame]. We're looking at the story right now" (which, if you know anything about the fractured and complex stories of Bebop, is going to be no easy task).
Even though the show only ran for 26 episodes, Bebop still has a strong (and relatively vocal) fan base. Fox might have to work extra hard to ensure their support in the wake of some of the other Anime projects that have been announced this year. So far there is no word on a director, but if Fox is looking to fast-track the film, it probably won't take long.
Sound off below and tell us what you think about Bebop on the big screen, and whether you think Reeves has what it takes to step into the role of the great Spike Spiegel.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-20-2008 @ 4:19PM
jonathan lopez said...
... I am scared. I read the mtv blog interview just now.... 'bebop' drug developed by the military?...
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12-20-2008 @ 12:51PM
Tokyo Slim said...
Do Not Want!
My list of people to threaten or kill has grown to long to manage. Why can't they just leave the beloved, classic, and "cult" movies alone?
You cannot hope to do it BETTER, so why do it at all?
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12-20-2008 @ 3:16PM
Jen said...
"and it's inventive use of classic rock and pop songs in the narrative."
What?! No, no, no, no, no. The soundtrack was predominantly jazz and blues. What pop songs? What classic rock? There were a lot of other musical bits thrown in depending on the episode, but it never strayed far from the opening credits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6zDfxZ4NcE
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12-20-2008 @ 3:23PM
e3m88 said...
sad news.
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12-20-2008 @ 3:43PM
Anna said...
I greatly enjoyed watching the Series and the movie.
Steve Blum is awesome!!! xD
As for the life-action movie: Keanu Reeves as Spike Spiegel is a horrendous casting choice...
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12-20-2008 @ 4:10PM
Kevin Gamin said...
"As for the life-action movie: Keanu Reeves as *fill in any role* is a horrendous casting choice..."
Edited for truth.
12-20-2008 @ 4:02PM
Kurt said...
My sense of betrayal/anxiety for this is just a couple notches below what it would feel like to hear that someone was remaking The Princess Bride (and that it would star Kenneth Branaugh).
Why, oh why, would they be thinking about taking the first and last episodes for their script? The two story-lines have nothing to do with each other, they both occur without Ed, Faye, or Ein. Why is this a good idea? Why not just take a story that involves the characters and place it somewhere in the middle of the timeline--make it an exciting, extended chapter in their story rather than trying to make it the alpha and omega of that universe.
Like they did, for example with the EXISTING Cowboy Bebop movie.
Or, shit, mine the manga--you'll get a story that's new to most American audiences. But no, they won't do that, they'll try to make something "definitive" for American audiences and walk the line between fan-service and mainstream-i-zation... just enough to alienate absolutely everyone.
Hopefully, though, they'll have the good sense to bring back Yoko Kanno and SEATBELTS for the music. Kanno's compositions were the lifeblood of that series--and it was great fun to hear a Japanese interpretation of distinctly American styles (i.e., bluegrass, jazz, southern rock).
And for the record, no, I don't see Keanu as Spike. Frankly, I can't think of anyone who could make that role work. Maybe Brandon Lee... if he were alive... maybe...
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12-20-2008 @ 7:03PM
jon said...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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12-20-2008 @ 7:22PM
ICON! said...
Ohhh holy jesus no. Please lord not this. I had heard rumors before, and was just disgusted. These studio exec's really could care less for the feelings of fanboys. I do not know of one fan of the seies that would say "OMG,YES" to this idea and casting choice. I am utterly ashamed and sad. KURT said it right, why focus on the very begining and the end, thats just stupid, so much happens along the way inbetween. It would make sence to do something based off the manga, or like the mvie did, where it was some random adventure of the bebop crew, based between the begining and the end. This has no hope at all, and hopefully the tidal wave of negative press from the fans will cause this never to come to fruition." inventive use of classic rock and pop." WTF!!!!! uummm..it was primarily jazz,blues,funk,and folk. From just the little bit i read it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, and how could they change the music, it was so key to the series and is what gave the series its flavor, the sountracks for the series are utterly amazing...GOD!! It was only a matter of time before hollywood turned its unoriginal ass towards anime, Dragonball,Robotech,speedracer,astroboy,now this, the flood gates are open and all anime fans hearts will slowly be drowned.
if Keanu is spike then they will just screw up everyone else. They will pull something lame and low like...Beyonce will be faye,Will smiths kid will be ed, and steven segal will be jet...screw those exec's...screw them all!!!!
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12-20-2008 @ 11:21PM
Herff said...
Wow my brother had mentioned this to me and at first I didn't believe him. Not surprised Fox is behind this. I swear this company just wants to see every good story rot and burn. Someone needs to make a Cinematical Seven for all the stuff Fox has screwed up in the last few years. I'll get the list started right now. They trashed Max Payne, they butchered X-Men Last Stand, ruined Leage of Extraordinary Gentlemen, failed miserably with the Fantastic Four movies, Daredevil was a joke (didn't even bother with Elektra,) they cancelled Freaks and Geeks and Arrested Development (not movies, but I'm still sore about it,) and now they want to completely botch Cowboy Bebop. Not to mention they are suing over Watchmen which could potentially get the release pushed back. Believe me I could add more to the list, but I'm going to end the rant now.
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12-21-2008 @ 9:25PM
b003 said...
I wouldn't mind if they had some input from the creators of the series. I remember that episode, but to stretch it into what, and hour 10? Phehh. If they don't have an original story that references the anime like Big Sot the bounty hunter tv program, I think it just might kill the anime movie craze..
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12-21-2008 @ 9:01AM
joits said...
my bigger concern is whether they're going to be keeping with the jazz theme and soundtracks that really provided a great atmosphere to the anime series.
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12-21-2008 @ 8:06PM
sam said...
DON'T LET THE SINBAD SHIP SAIL AWAY.
PERFECT CASTING.
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12-23-2008 @ 12:30AM
Chris said...
Look, it's bound to happen eventually. Originality is hard to come by these days, much less inspiration. As a huge fan of the original series I'm not completely opposed to the idea of a live action film, so long as it's done right - which probably won't happen (see: live action Death Note). It would be nice to see something new come from the Cowboy Bebop universe though, who really cares if its bad? Does that automatically ruin the original? No. As for the rock references, perhaps they were referring to "Heavy Metal Queen" and all the little nuances from american pop rock. For instance, did all you whiners know that "Sympathy for the Devil" is the title of a popular song by The Rolling Stones? No, didn't think so. Don't presume to know everything about something just because you like it. As for Reeves playing Spike, hell no. That is just a poor casting choice, will Tom Cruise be playing Viscous then?
Bottom line: Make it, but make it right.
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12-23-2008 @ 6:15PM
bob-look said...
i would love to see this done but i too dont not feel that reeves is the best person that could be placed in the role but by far not the worst. i would like to see any of you guys come up with a better person that would still bring people to see the movie that know nothing of the series or the movie
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12-24-2008 @ 8:26PM
Nietzsche said...
Keanu Reeves!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH NO, SOME ONE PLEASE SHOOT ME, before I ever go see another movie with This Robotic failure of an actor! I've never seen a bigger F U than Reeves last role in the disastrous REMAKE of The Day the Earth Stood Still. Gort from the first movie displayed more acting range than Keanu Reeves. Why do they keep letting him ruin movies?
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12-29-2008 @ 2:00AM
jack jack said...
i'm so sad this has got to be the dumbest idea I've ever heard i knew the studio's doing all these game and comic movie's was a bad idea i hope the Japanese guys get some say in what happens with cast and all as it is there story and i think they may have a better idea who would be good as who but really keanu a asian syndicate member i just don't see it
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1-02-2009 @ 11:41AM
StStephen said...
wouldn't mind at all if it were, say, an animated movie done by the original producers with the original voice cast and such, but this is fundamentally wrong...
adding Keanu into a movie will not make it good, we saw what happened with The Day the Earth Stood Still... bahhh...
the only people I foresee going to this would be the ones who had never seen nor heard of Bebop before, just like 'Day'... "ooh, robots and explosions, this should be a good flick..."
I say good day...
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1-10-2009 @ 1:49AM
Ryan said...
I think the idea of a live action movie version of this fantastic anime is a great idea. The casting of Keanu Reeves as Spike... not so much. What I really want to see is either a whole series or movie devoted to Spike's/Jet's/Faye's pasts. I want to know about Spike's syndicate days, Jet's police days, and Faye's earlier days. That would be amazing.
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1-15-2009 @ 7:50PM
Julie said...
Looks like it's official, Keanu Reeves is Spike Spiegel.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i4b7a99706a1f6a0714d227de20206e2c
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