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hes gonna be a good spike, hes dry as fk and anyone whose seen the series and movie know that spikes humor is very dry most of the time. cant wait to find out more about this

I can't believe Hollywood can tell a good Cowboy Bepop story in only two hours that fans of the series will enjoy. I have seen the series and watched the animated movie if you have not seen the series you would have not know what was going on in the movie. It was like another episode. I am a strong believer that if you are going to make a live action anime that it needs to come out of Japan not Hollywood. I would rather deal with shity dubbing than have Hollywood screw with the story to make money. P.S. Reeves would suck as spike. My vote is Megan Fox for Faye Valentine.

Always working a way in to take a shot at Dragonball, huh? Sad.

I don't even know. I was really, really hoping for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who was basically born to play Spike (with/without height). JGL could pull off Spike's dry humor (considering he WAS Spike in "Brick"), but I can't see Reeves doing it well. Or at all. Eh, I'll probably see it no matter who's in it, anyway.

Reeves can be involved, but he would make a terrible Spike Spiegel. And as far as Bebop being the best anime ever, I'd put it tied with Evangelion. The two are so different they can't be compared at all.

Joss Whedon(Srenity) would be a good directing choice

Man, mentioning Kill Bill got me thinking. I wonder if Quentin Tarantino is a fan. He would do an awesome job translating CB's style to live action. Could even have Sam Jackson play Jet's old Police contact/buddy. I need to stop thinking about this.

I could also go for Ridley Scott to direct.

^so can everybody else in that movie lol

Reeves really got work it in this one, but Spike should prove to be pretty easy in the end. what about the others though?

I'm sure Cowboy bebop will be great, but I'm not a fan of Keanu playing spike. The tone, antics and in the ways spike can throw his body around, I don't think keanu can do all of that nor flexible enough to attempt to. As for Faye, I don't think megan Fox has the mentality to play faye. Faye needs to be some one whose a take charge kind of lady with that kick-ass mentality which I haven't seen megan do. Kelly hu or eliza dushku would be my pick for Faye, as for spike, not sure who, but personally, and i mean personally, i don't like the spike idea for him. Jet needs an older figure to play him much like a russle crowe (look) but the mind of a harrison ford. Ed, Ed is Ed and is a tomboy. As for Ein, it better well be a damn Welsh Pembroke Corgi.....

its all up to the director, whedon would be great, but i have no idea where theyre going with this movie. its Fox so I pretty much expect it to be terrible, but cant call it this early

I wasn't much of a Bebop fan. It was stylish and flashy, but other than that meh. But the movie can work out well though. A mix of western and sci-fi? Firefly/Serenity did it well on the silverscreen.

Fuck.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! This must be stopped. For the love of whatever god/dess/thing you believe in, stop ruining my favorit Animes with crappy live action versions. I like this stiff because it's a cartoon. For Fuck sake, go write something that dosn't alreay exist, so that I wont have to live with the feelignI know you are going ruin something I love. I refuse to see this movie. I will continue to watch the Cartoon version I have on DVD and pretend I never saw this article...If I don't see it it's not real!

Given all the negative reaction, (high even for the internet) one would hope a producer or someone would catch wind of this and decide to change something in this project. Though, saldy without people keeping to their guns, and choosing to go see movies like this despite their objections and distate, such projects will continue... SO PEOPLE DO THE RIGHT THING AND WATCH A TORRENT OF CRAPPY MOVIES, DON"T PAY!

I think someone said it already. In order for Reeves to be Spike, he's really - and I mean REALLY - got to step out of anything he's done in the past and recreate his persona. Those of us who know Spike's character, almost everthing in Reeve's acting reel has to be the polar opposite of Spike. But wait a sec - Reeves only mentioned involvement here. What if by some miracle he was cast as another character? I wouldn't mind seeing him as Vicious. In fact, that right there might be a PERFECT fit. What do you think??

^^^ LOL!!!

Wow, way to really just kill anything good guys. Keanu isn't an actor many people like. He sucks. That's the best I can say, he is a one trick pony. Every single character is the exact same. Thanks for the continued ruination of anything good. Please, go screw up something else. Anime is not your department guys.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFU I don't care if they do it, just get rid of Keanu! A plank of wood shows more depth and emotion than him! I saw the headline and literally yelled out "WTF". There are plenty of good unknown actors out there that would not only be cheaper, but would make the film decent. I've seen pornography actors put out a better performance than Keanu.

im worried =/ but got my fingers crossed!

WRRRRRRY? ;__; It's not that I have anything against Keneau, I rather like him actually, but HE. IS NOT. SPIKE. Just no. @10- I agree. JGL would've been a good choice.

I can see him as spike for about a minute then I want someone else.................

I just hope they capture the chemistry of FAYE and SPIKE perfectly .... also in order to pull this anime off impeccably is that everything has to be dead on .... and not ow budget looking

yeah.... its all been said. keanu reeves has never played anyone but keanu reeves. his comments in this article give me some hope that he understands the delicacy of this project and he will just get out of the way, but I doubt it. When I first heard of a possible movie, I was kind of excited. The more i think about it, the more I hope this movie never gets made. If it does get made, I will watch it like a good fan of the anime should... by bitTorrent.

This is far and away my favorite anime and I was horrified to find out that Keanu is going to play Spike. Cowboy Bebop is an incredible, artful, and touching anime. It's not that I hate Keanu as an "actor", but he just doesn't have it in him to really become Spike. Whoever thought of him right off the bat needs to be kicked in the head. This pick just goes to show that the developers for the live-action movie have no idea what they have in their hands. They're going to destroy everything about Cowboy Bebop that makes it amazing.

They'll need to get Steve Conte AND Yokko Kano to work on the songs.

wow. if you don't think it's gonna be good, don't go see it. then it's not ruined for you. problem solved. maybe instead of sitting around not making movies, MORE people should be trying to make anime based movies. there's no competition right now, so noone really knows what's good and what isn't. get off everyone's back. if it hurts to do it, then don't. :p

Spike is my favorite anime character to date... And really, Keanu Reeves?? Are you kidding me? Stick to Bill and Ted and tacky Matrix trilogies. Spike isn't dry - He's laid back. He's the type of guy that will only tell you what he's planning if he needs someone for something. If he even has a plan. Not to mention, Spike has a sense of humor... Reeves couldn't pull that off even he tried. Sorry.

why does hollywood feel like they need to make EVERY ANIME INTO A FRICKEN LIVE ACTION!?!?!? WHY!?!?!?

Can Steve Blum still dub whoever they pick? Plenty of rage here against Keanu, but to be honest I don't think he deserves it. He can definitely act well, and if you sprinkle some Bill & Ted goofiness into a sullen and short-worded Neo,etc type character you've got something resembling a Spike already. He's gonna have to work hard to grow back his old mop of hair though (http://www.canadianshakespeares.ca/essays/images/BillTed3.jpg)!

I'm trying to stay as optimistic as possible, though I definitely have some doubts. Hopefully when it comes to casting, the roles are given to the people most capable of portraying each character, no matter if they're an "A" list celebrity or a fresh face. My fear is that it becomes an explosive non-stop action packed thriller. Sure its gotta have some awesome fight scenes, but the character development and a deep storyline are what truly needs at the top (*as well as the score*). It's still way early in development, so I'll wait to complain until details are finalized, but for now I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I have a suggestion. I am a huge enough nerd to Cosplay Spike Spiegel. While I don't know much about Keanu's acting ability, I don't see this as being his forte. He's more fit for different roles, just not Spike Spiegel. So my suggestion. I'll play Spike. For free. No charge. I'll even labor 13 hour days if I have too. I have zero acting experience, but I know Cowboy Bebop religiously. But key word here is. FOR FREE ACTOR, lets just not let this go down the wrong path. http://www.cosplay.com/photo/1673481/ http://www.cosplay.com/photo/1595463/ Ya. I'm not really serious here. But on a serious note. Spike Spiegel should be played by a no-name actor, so as there isn't a past stigma that comes with them. A fresh slate.

whater u think of keanu ( i like him) his stick is usualy; depressed dry witted action man. which is basicaly, Spike. so weither he is a good actor wont really come into it he can do his usual melting stare with a mental mop of hair and do it with style. XD there no way fayes costume will be the same as in the anime...its pretty much pvc hooker and not even hollywood could get off with that (plus its fox). (dont get me wrong i fucking Love faye she is genius) I know in my heart dragonball is going to make me cry with its crapness but lets face it. bulky sians trying to outscream eachother and act homoerotic (IT IS). ISNt a good premise to start with. bebop is clever and amazing; so at least they have the right material. if its good ill will scream with joy and treasure the dvd for life If its horrific. We will forget it ever hapened and watch "knockin on heavens door" as some kind of eyebleach to rescue our minds from the sickdepravedmoneygrabbingmoviecorporatessodomisingyetanothergoodidea o.e (cough*)

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! Oh dear God NO!!!! this cannot happen. It is a classic and wonderful anime with an amazing soundtrack.

The fact that such an excellent anime is being made into a live action film still does not sit well with me. Nor does the idea of Reeves playing Spike seem like a good one. Like everyone above mentioned, Reeves can be extremely flat, so I can't see him going from flat performances to a dry, witty, troubled bounty hunter. Spike is so much more than just his cool exterior (though that is what makes him popular) as we see later on in the series. I just can't see Reeves doing this film, I would have more hope for the movie if he weren't in it. I would also breathe alot easier if I knew that Fox weren't doing this film considering the way Dragon Ball Evolution is looking. Let's face it, Fox isn't too great at doing sci-fi films (with the exception of the X-men trilogy). On the other hand, Spike is a great chance for Reeves to prove that he's not a reptitive actor. If this Bebop film does well, then we may see a new side to Reeves that we've never seen in terms of acting. Also, everyone seems to be concerned about the acting and the directing, but what about the screenwriting; the source that both actors and the director must rely upon to bring Bebop to life. If the screenwriter happens to screw the screenplay up (which is possible, given how much of Bebop he or she is trying to put in), then the director will be left to work with crap. And one last thing, what about the score? I personally find the Bebop soundtrack to be a work of art, very well made thanks to Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts. Seatbelts and Kanno should be reunited for the live action film to add some new tunes to the Bebop universe, all the while keeping classic songs such as Tank!, the Real Folk Blues, Blue, Green Bird, Rain, and Call Me Call Me should be left in the film for fans and new viewers alike. But what do I know, I'm just a fan who bitching and moaning on the sidelines.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE SO MUCH COWBOY BEBOP, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DESTROY THOSE BEAUTIFUL AND TROUBLING MANGA//ANIME STORIES?????????????????????????? SPIKE IS SO UNIQUE, NOT SO DIFFERENT FROM KEANU, BUT NOT THAAT ALIKE... KEANU (WHO HAS CHOSEN VERY GOOD, BUT SIMILAR ROLES IN MOVIES) BETTER MAKE HIS GREATEST EFFORT ON THIS ONE THEY BETTER BE MORE CAREFUL IN CHOOSING THE CO-STARS FOR THIS SENSATIONAL MANGA/ANIME SERIES COPY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SOUNDTRACK ....IT BETTER BEEEEETTTTEEEEEEEEERR BE FROM KANNO, YOKO-SAMA NOT FROM STUPID AMERICAN EMO BANDS WITH THEIR SO CALLED "MUSIC" THIS IS PARTICULARLY NIPPONSEI, THAT IS WHY IT IS SPECIAL

I really wish Fox wasn't picking this up because when they've gone for the cult classics, they've messed it up. Just take a look at how horrible Dragonball is going. If Reeves was about 10 years younger, I think he could do it, but he's kind of old. I bet he could get Spike's personality, but as far as being fluid with his mannerisms, that might be a problem. Spike always moved like water, ever changing, and that would be hard for anyone to do. As far as a director, Tarintino would be amazing and I really think he could live up to the futuristic, cowboy west that the Bebop dared to show us. I think Summit should swoop down and pick this up. Look at the job they did with Twilight. Catherine did an amazing job as a director and the actors were known, but they weren't huge, so we looked to them for their acting, NOT their name. A big budget is needed, and as far as the storyline goes, they should do something like Knockin' on Heaven's door. That was like a stand alone two hour episode where fans could sigh happily and newcomers weren't confused beyond all belief. That would be fantastic. Actors for Jet? I think Bruce would be good, as long as he bulks up, but he's got the role of a badass surrogate father. For Faye? I don't think Megan Fox is a good idea. She's too young for a role like that. I'd like to see Scarlett, or maybe even Jessica Alba. She's got a great look and can play the total broken woman who's constantly on the run. I think Scarlett would be great though. As for other ideas for Spike...what about Brad Pitt? Now don't go crazy on me, but he is a wonderful actor who is so diversified and I think could really pull of Spike's personality, plus he's still young enough where he's probably still flexible. I don't have any ideas for Ed. I think just a new person for Ed would probably be a better idea. Well, enough of my rambling. I'm just excited to see live action. Even if it turns out bad, it's always interesting to see how the Bebop crew is seen by other people. Oh, and P.S., they should stick with 'Tank' for the opening theme song and get the Seatbelts to come in again on a project. I think the jazz theme definitely needs to stay!

Oh! By the way. I hope that now that Reeves is "on board" for sure, that SOMEONE makes a protest against the murder of this wonderful anime. Dx

im sure its going to be fine ..keanu reeves is a great actor... im sure the film will be a success

You guys are negative Ned's. An actor's job is to step out of their comfortable roles and trying something new each time. Doing that makes them an even better actor. Who knows, Keanu could be a really good choice for Spike if he does him...As long as he's ready to step out. As for Faye, please don't bring any of those Hollywood hookers to take her role. she may be hot but she has a significant role in the show other than wearing/looking good in skimpy clothing. We don't need that messing up the plot (like in Transformers.) The soundtrack better be hella good cuz in the show it was amazing.

I.... Just can't see this as a good movie.... Really.... There is just way too much that goes on in the anime, or a lot of side stuff that they put in, that if they tried to condense this into a movie it would either turn out too boring, too over the top, too confusing, and/or god horrible. 1. Reeves.... I'm sorry, but for this character I think he would just stumble around with it and act like Neo thinking it's close to the same thing. Granted, Neo was pretty cool in his own sort of ways, but Spike is not Neo and I have a gut feeling that the lil part Hawaiian man is going to make that mistake. He did it on the movie Constantine, I really think he would do it again. 2. Again... Too much side story.... What is sidestory? Fluff... essentially it's fluff in what ever series, technically, it's not needed. The problem, the side story stuff in Cowboy Bebop was pretty good and well written from time to time, so despite it's nothing more than a distraction, you might want to see and it could be a let down to be left out. I'm sure there are some things in the anime you really could care less about, but there were some bounties in it that were pretty cool, but there were too many of them is the problem. Then you run into the problem where despite how unrelated that side story was, there is some smidgen of it that helps put things together in the main story. That is the true problem, and when you cram that into the movie with a cameo amount of time, someone or something is going to get lost in the whole translation. 3. Too much respect to the anime. It's a risky move, that is the long story short to this. Reading from every person's response. They either want to see it, afraid to see it, or don't want to see it at all. I personally don't want to see it. The reason why I don't want to see it is because I don't want to frown when I mention "I loved the Cowboy Bebop movie" forgetting that I mean the anime film and someone would retort "That movie with Keanu Reeves". 4. The director.... You see where most adaptations go wrong. Is because there is little to no involvement from the original writer to support it or slap the director on the hands when they start to bastardize something. You want someone who will focus on what needs to be done and what needs to be true to it. You can't pick someone because you're a cult fan of their films and honestly they borderline the risk for "Good" or "Bad" with nothing in between. I think that alone is way too high of a risk. I have to admit... Quentin Tarantino... Love some of his movies, but some things I also love of his because it's just that ridiculous or stupid that it's good. Do people really want that to be Cowboy Bebop? Granted, he COULD do something good and put on his serious face and do it right, but there is also the possibility that it could end up stupidly funny. Honestly, was Kill Bill genius good, or was it so over the top that you thought it was good? Michael Bay is next in line, Bay has done some really good stuff, but I always feel like he is a little bit bias in what he does too. A director being a little bit bias could lead to them doing something that will throw tons of people into a fit. I mean come on, in Transformers he did as much as Bumblebee shoving the Yellow Beetle (that is suppose to be Bumblebee) aside in rejection.... What are we going to have in Cowboy Beebop the movie? Ein being a Mastiff because Michael Bay feels like he likes that dog more and Ein should be a Mastiff instead of a Welsh Corgi? Summary: 1) No one wants to Neo's metamorphasis from Neo---> Constatine ---> Spike 2) The cutting of side story could make the whole story pretty lame or confusing. (The anime Akira was confusing as hell because it was condensed from a huge effing manga) 3) Too many fan boys and girls don't want to see something good possibly become something bad. 4) The director needs to be someone who WILL listen and follow carefully to the story. NOT their bias vision to it. You need a really good and serious director, not someone who would simply say, "It would be fun to direct". The moment you hear that line... everything is fucked.

Ok...I was worried before, now it has increased to dread. While this movie may be alright, even good...I really hope that it is good, it could completely tank if they don't get the right people working on it. Reeves is an ok actor and doesn't deserve the bashing that he is getting, though I too agree that he wouldn't be a good Spike...not without streatching himself to an extreme that no one has seen before. Though I did see someone say that he would make a good Vicious...and actually he might. Spike I just don't see him as.

alright. Keanu has the passive style that Spike has, for some reason i can imagine him in the scene where he drops his cigarette and the bouquet of roses. It sort of suits him. But he's also got to be able to wake up and play the intense character that Spike is. Sometimes Keanu just plays too dumb and almost looks dumb-founded when he plays a character. It's not that Keanu sucks, he doesn't suck. But if he's going to play the role of Spike, he's going to need to do some practicing and grow some balls and wake up when hes on camera. Playing that bad ass/laid back/i can kick your ass without even trying, roll is going to be a tough one. As for the actual story itself... i just hope they've got a good script writer and a good director. Making a 2 hour long film is going to be a challenge. The Cowboy Bebop Movie wasn't very good, and that was a very long animation basically... So it's tough to say the very long version of an actual live version of it could be well done Blah.

Here's my problem(s)... 1) "It's so episodic and so disconnected - we're trying to figure out what pieces to put together to tell one story." Anyone who says this doesn't understand the show. Go back and watch it all the way through. It took me about 5 times before I fully understood it. Every single episode relates to the overall story. There is a strong theme running through, and almost every episode has foreshadowing. Also, it is the episodic nature of the feature that made the movie so bad. I had a hard time sitting through it. It wasn't visually engaging and it had the feeling of the worst session - Heavy Metal Queen. Even HMQ had relevance to the rest of the series...We learn a lot about Spike's ethics and Faye's vulnerability in that episode. Both of those are important to understand in final episode. The movie was too much about the bad guys and not about the characters fans have come to care for. If it can work, they need to focus on us caring about them, especially for people not up to speed... 2) "And it's got so much of an origin-story obligation; you've got to get people up to speed, but you don't want to do much of that." They could actually start before the show does (maybe meeting of Spike and Jet) and absolve themselves of a lot of that obligation. Spike and Jet have pasts that they are trying to escape at that point, not at the point where they meet Faye and Ed and their pasts catch up with them. It would just be a story about male friendship/trust/action and you don't have to reference the past much. The show itself never goes into exposition on Spike's past or anyone else's. We're left to fill in the rest. 3) “We’re taking the Red Eye [story], the beginning part of the series,” he explained, “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.” They are trying to take the entire story line and condense it into one film. Each episode is an individual film. Why not just develop a new story that doesn't contradict the rest of the film? The movie at least did that. Plus, these characters live and grow. They can't be tied up successfully in a nice 2-hour package. That's why it's 26 episodes long.

Okay well i have mixed feelings about this film.. first of all there seems to be a lot of bashing on Reeves to me i can kind a see him being Spike but he would do soo much better as Vicious or possibly Vincent. As for someone to play as Faye what about Maggie Q? She's both got the looks and the attitude.. don't know about the others..i more interested in who's going to be Ed as she's my fave^^ I also hope that Watanabe is going to have A LOT of input into and a good director they must have!! Oh definitely Kanno and the Seatbelts must come back!! New songs would be sweet^^ but bring on the old ones too! Aside from who's going to play who and all, what about the world? the story? that's pretty difficult too.. I generally hate american remakes of great asian films but i'm holding out for this one! Just cause i love Cowboy Bebop and a live action of it sounds real cool!!!

I hope to god they don't cram 26 episodes to 2 hours, that would be lame. I would like to see the movie as a side story or something to do with their pasts. As for Keanu being Spike: oh no,for the love of god don't let him screw spike, i can't stand to see Keanu in a Bruce lee fighting stance And.. i would like to see the elements that made Bebop unique in the movie

NOOOOOOO...Cowboy Bebop will be ruined forever. How can producers and directors think they can remake an anime into live action? Boo! This will so be shit, just like dragonball.

No no no no no. Cowboy Bebop is one of the few examples of perfection left in this world, can we please not defecate all over it like this? Stop stop stop stop stop, please for the love of all things good and pure in life, stop.

Ok... this could be good... but bad at the same time Bad Points: 1)@95: I totally agree with your 1st problem. They should definitely watch through every single episode before they could even attempt to make it into a live-action film. 2) Hollywood just really wants cash now. They are turning almost anything and everything which has a wide fan base into a movie. Examples of good books/games/comics..etc being turned into or are now films: Inkheart, Eragon, Prince of Persia, Zelda. Hopefully CB won't suck as much as these films have or will. Good Points: 1) Most of the cast has still not been announced so maybe another cast member will make up for Keanu... (hopefully) 2) All you really need to make a good movie is a good director and editing team. If the acting does suck I bet the special effects might make up for that. All we can do is wait till 2011 to see the film. And hopefully the film will air around the same time it is released in the States this time. Unlike with the Deathnote live action films which weren't aired in Canada till a week after. I hope CB will be good as the first Deathnote film.

I think Christina Ricci would make a good Faye Valentine. Megan Fox, maybe, but those are my only choices as far as named talent goes. Djimon Honsou would be an interesting Jet...A little TOO black, perhaps, but I always thought it was implied that Jet was black (and not just because of his name). Spike, Spike, Spike...who's gonna be Spike...For some reason, I think Ryan Reynolds would be able to nail the personality, if not the looks---I don't think he could get quite thin and lanky enough to believably look the part. James Franco does sound promising. But in all honesty, I'd rather see new talent take the lead. I wonder who's going to play Vicious? If Dakota Fanning were still young enough, she'd be great for Ed! Maybe Elle could pull it off... Uma Thurman's name has been popping up here at some point...I bet she'd be a promising Julia.

i think he'll be alright as spike. he cleans up well. besides, i think if they direct and shoot the movie just right, who they cast as spike won't matter too much. i mean, it'll matter obviously, but not enough to merit another keanu lynching. i could totally picture uma thurman as faye. unless they decide she's too tall or something.

They BETTER do a good job on this.

Okay, here is who I think they should cast: Faye - Kelly Hu - She's got the hairline, asian backround, body, and heartshaped face with cute lips Ed - Ellen Page - She won't get older, she has the face and body, and she tends to play young kids. she could pass as a young boy/girl [just like ed] Jet - Gerard Butler - He is barely taller than keannu reeves, but he's a lot bulkier, and has a great voice What do you guys think?

You know what would really help carry this project along? If Keanu fucking Reeves wasn't fucking involved. Just a god damn thought.

Uma thurman??? wtf is wrong with your head, boy?!?

I love how everyone keeps whining about how Hollywood is ruining their favorite animes. That's a load of bull. If you love an anime, you're gonna love it even after a bad movie is made off of it. I'd hate to burst your bubble but, just anime fans ARE NOT THE TARGET AUDIENCE. If Hollywood was trying to appeal only to the anime nerds, they'd make no money. They have to appeal to the general public as well. Even if the movie sucks, you're still gonna love the anime right? So quit complaining. Everyone other fan nerd said the same thing about Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. "Oh my god. This movie is gonna suck. They're gonna kill the story. Hollywood is gonna do this and that and I'm going to be so angry.." blah blah blah. (and don't say that its different because one is a book and the other anime. It's the same thing.) Fans thought those movies would suck and look how that worked. Lord of the Rings, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER and Harry Potter, highest grossing sequels. Have a little faith people! Even if they suck, you can still go back and watch the originals.

Wow, a lot of people are angry,about this. I'm excited to here something's being done about Cowboy Bebop. Plus Keanu Reeves would be an interesting Spike, I like what I've heard so far, now that I know it's gonna be harder for me to wait. Go Reeves! People are always complaining about who they want in movies, I think this movie has a lot of potential.

Here is my casting list with updates Jensen Ackles - Spike Spiegel Cerina Vincent - Faye Valentine Ellen Page - Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivruski IV Ron Perlman - Jet Black Jordan Ladd - Julia Michael Rosenbaum - Vicious Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Ein Carlos Mencia - Punch Paris Hilton - Judy Donald Sutherland, Randy Quaid, and Christopher Walken - The Three Old Men Graham Greene - Laughing Bull Yoko Kanno - Composer

oh and as far as paris hilton for judy ryuu0470 you're an idiot

Keanu can pull it off. Thing is.. spike may be complex and deep, but spike doesn't really convey many emotions that are difficult to pull off in a convincing way. In fact his most complex and deep thoughts seem to be shown with "blank stare" and "serious stare". Something Reeves can do. I think you're all jumping the gun here. If anything, you people should be worried about the director. Let's hope Tarintino is involved somewhere (doubt it).

Keaunu Reeves should deffinatly be in the movie...but not as spike, hes more of a Jet...look VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/6/l_9e45fa6c17f04a2990e9a8f805403112.jpg as for Spike...im prety much him...i was born june 26, im 6', i had dark green hair before i even saw the show (i didnt even mean to do it...weird) and i used to have the same haircut...now its a bit longer and doesnt really look like it, here i am now vvv http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/24/l_892cfe437fc6418e87270433d299f18d.jpg i also smoke like a chimney....when i saw the show my jaw dropped and i was like...where did they find this character? hes got more balls than me though...oh another weird coincidence is that my name is shane, 5 letters, spike, five letters, my last name, offield, 7 letters, speigel 7 letters...just weird now i know there is no chance of a complety unknown actor working on a huge movie...but they should find someone lesser known.... for Faye they need a chick with one hell of a hairline,,,thats going to be hard too...i would say Jill Henessy in the 90's but....u know.... Keanu has is work cut out for him, hes going to have to lern JeetKundo and move just like Bruce lee, not to mention lose alot of weight.....and change his nose....and cheek bones....hmmm i agree that Tarintino should be in on it, the show definitely has that feel, hed totaly dig it, that 60's style with the old west feel, it a really interesting show

i love reeves as an actor. i have complete faith in him as an actor to make it work. i think he can pull off spikes laid backness feel with some humor. you have to remember its not reeves fault how spike acts in the movie. its up to the director and writers. if they took their time to watch the show then they should realize there is more to spike than just action. you have to admit it will deffinetly be better than dragonball evolution haha its going to ruin my fav anime show but reeves has the acting skill to make it work

if hollywood fucks up yet another one of my favorite shows/books in the world i will pray everynight that hollywood goes under with america's economy(and i'm in no way religious) b/c i'm sick of loving something as much as i do cowboy bebop and then get completely disappointed by hollywood b/c they ruin EVERYTHING. They ruined Harry Potter, they OBLITERATED twilight, they destroyed DBZ and now they're going to destroy Cowboy Bebop??!!! Please hollywood for your sake and every die hard cowboy bebop fan out there if your gonna half ass this movie or make a mockery of it just don't waste your time and ours.

Keanu will be a win spike Uma a good Faye who the hell is playing jet? and if they cast some chick from disney as edward, I'm going to go postal.

When i see al of this complaining going on i can almost hear Faye:" Men are such babies". Seriously come on it will not be a perect copy of Spike even without Reeves. And the same goes for the entire thing. And if they try to make a copy they will fail. I want them to stick to the background as good as possible and then they should make their own stuff based on it. And the only thing i really want is Watanabe watching over the project. I think then it will turn out good enough to be watched. oh you better get used to Reeves: http://www.cartoonleap.com/2009/03/23/quality-control-on-cowboy-bebop-live-action-movie/comment-page-1/ And besides: Uchida further noted that the difficult negotiations with the 20th Century Fox film studio continued for two years until agreeable contract terms were drafted. He emphasized that the contract allows Sunrise to assert quality control by stating, “If the script is terrible, the live-action film adaptation will not be approved.”

why the fuck did sunrise agree to this!?

I was excited when I first heard a live action movie for cowboy. As i thought about it I realize it will probably be terrible. The movie will have to be changed and cleaned up for the kiddies. So long chain smoking cowboys, so long gambling addiction for Faye. Then they will have Faye and Spike have a love scene to spice it up for all the people with short attention spans. Everyone will ride off into the sunset. Problem is once you make these changes it is every other piece of garbage coming out for the summer blockbusters. But it will make 100 million dollars because every 14 to 45 year old will go to see a meagan fox type run around in faye's outfit and see a Keaunu " surfs up dude" fly the swordfish through all types of explosions. Effects will be fantastic and we will all go home and wait for the DVD to come out. More proof anything good must be ruined.

I vote Christina Ricci for Faye!!!!!!!!! I dont know who else could play Spike, of todays top young actors non of them are very tall or badass? Keanu is hella dramatic when he is a bad guy, I really liked him in 'The Gift' and he was ok in 'The Watcher'. For some reason Michael Clarke Duncan feels like Jet to me -LOL Oh well we will see what happens, oh yeah deathnote live action did rock.

ok I just got next week's Entertainment Weekly, he's only 5'10" but what about Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Spike.

this is the kind of thinking that fucks adaptations. cowboy bebop live action should be just that: a flawless adapted piece. there is plenty to make a solid story. Then you'll need actors with enough balls to carry the dramatic weight of each carachter - and they do carry a heavy burden in cowboy. My opinion is, they should bring in a few geeks, feed them on a steady diet of watanabe and sunrise studio's brainstormings, and let them write their own piece alone. I still think this could work as a trilogy - sessions. And Tom waits should play the soundtrack - that way it would really stand out, and Tom has a similar vibe. Joseph Gordon Lewitt would be perfect for the role - spike is a jewish boy, he isn't that tall either. and like ki said before: throw this project unto FOX SEARCHLIGHT, turn it into a depression/futuristic spaguetti western, and you got yourself a hot ticket. add 3D, and you'll be in summer blockbusterville.

and why do people think reeves is a good actor.. he is absolutely terrible and now he is losing is looks from aging i cant imagine him in any movie any more..day the earth stood still...well maybe if he continues to act as a robot in garbage movies

In re: to all the people losing their shit about Bebop becoming a movie. A live action american film will not cause Cowboy Bebop to cease existence as an anime, why in the world would you react so negatively? The source material will always be there for you.

These are my picks for the cast Spike --I think that Keanu could play this role. just because I can't think of any one else that could play it and do the action scenes with out looking retarded. of course if you could get Ryan Reynolds to look like him that would work. spike--Jeffrey Wright. this guy sounds, acts and looks like him. well, a lot more then bruce willis, which everyone seems to want. Faye--Olga Kurylenko. Okay. shes russian. but when you look at her she looks like faye. she just has to find a way to hide her accent. Ed--Ellen Page would have been perfect if she was younger, but now I don't know who. Vicious--Keanu could play this part aswell.

Well... There goes my childhood. I don't know if I'd be more upset if it was really bad and I disown it. Or it's good and I have to add it to my collection.

This Peregrym chick is too cut and looks like a dude. No way she pulls off faye. And keanue's love for anime? I hear from a friend of his that he wasn't into Cowboy Bebop, and never really saw it. If you love anime, you've seen Bebop before they cast you as Spike.

Keanu is too old to play Spike. Sorry, but Spike is supposed to be 27, not 47... I think James Franco could be a good Spike, considering he's proven to be a diverse actor. Similarly, Angelina Jolie is way too old to be Faye, and Megan Fox is not a good actress. She's hot, ya, but that's really all she has going for her. I think Camilla Belle maybe for Faye. She's young enough, has the right looks, and I think she could play the part. As for Jet, I totally agree with previous comments that Mickey Rourke should play the part. He's so mangled and rough, i think he would be perfect. I'm at a loss with Ed.

I think it'd be awesome if they cast relativity unknown actors rather than big shot Hollywood stars.

Keanu Reeves would tarnish the meaningful depth and rhythm that this story has. Here's my list: too old, too one dimensional, too identified as the idiot lost in a new world typecasting (which is what he is suited for) but Spike is just mellow and always aware not constantly puzzled with angry outbursts of shouting like Reeves does in every movie he's in, people not familiar will expect matrix action and that's just not how they fight, hair, build (tall, and lanky with loose flowing movements, which Reeves has none of), Give Megan Fox a chance, shes got that same look like she doesn't give a fuck about other people and could go gamble all her money away. If Reeves is already confirmed I'd rather see him shave his head, bulk up and take a kitchen knife to his face and play Jet. Well at least the Kitchen Knife maybe Cheech can convince him like he was talking about in "Nice Dreams" to get scars on his face because hes too good looking. I bet he'd fall for it. Watch "The Inhabited Island" Vasily Stepanov would make a great Spike, if he knows how to speak English. To all you Reeves fans, name one movie where he's not a wandering idiot confused and lost in a new scenario. Bill and Ted, Matrix, Point Break, A Scanner Darkly, The Replacements, Devil's Adocate, The Lake House. He should stick to these like Jason Statham sticks to the wheelman role. By the way i can't wait till Statham does his introspective driving miss daisy type of role.

how about we give Keanu Reeves a chance before we start jumping to conclusions? I just wait to see the trailer for the movie before i assume anything.... Alls i know is that vicious better be in it, and keanu better work his as off to be as agile as spike.

NO!!!!!!!!! Im sorry, but NO! Keanu Reeves??? Hes NOTHING like spike! And hes a pretty crappy actor.

Dylan McDermott would be a better Spike than Keanu. Dylan McDermott has already played a Spike-type character in "The Blue Iguana." In fact "the Blue Iguana" movie has that Cowboy Bebop feel, of course with less SFX. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IwQDY8GXF8

ITA. It should be unknowns with maybe big stars in the roles of Jet and Vicious. Using relative unknowns has definitely paid off for Star Trek. I like Keanu but I think he's too old for the part; Spike is supposed to be in his late twenties. If the movies are done right there could be sequels. I don't know about Megan for Faye. I always pictured an Asian actress in the role. And that character should be in her twenties as well. But whoever they choose, Faye is a complex role and the actress really needs to pull off being a woman who's only in it for herself, but also some one who can be silly while looking like a femme fatale and also be bad ass and at times vulnerable. Faye needs to be played by someone can pull off playing more of a woman than a girl. I hope they get a kick ass Spike. Spike has charisma and that's something I've never seen Keanu pull off. As far as Ed's concerned, they would really have to get a major scene stealer for that role. That role is going to be hard to cast.

check out the David Letterman interview of Keanu. I think that if he is him self more in this movie, he can pull it off.

Keanu is going to absolutely ruin spike for me, and he's also going to look f***in retarded with the afro.

Im so excited for this movie

First off i think whoever directs it needs to either have a love for bebop or can create a love for bebop. You need to love something to do it well i think. I also think mel gibson would be kickass for the director look at films like payback for a much less obvious and sort of ... jazzy? style of comedy. also i think bruce willis is far to small of a guy to play jet and keanu just doesnt seem like a spike... james franco would make an epic spike if they could teach him some crazy fighting moves. also back to mel gibson, it's hard to find movies with as well done violence as his, check apocalypto or the patriot. its just all really cool and i think he's either a genius or knows alot of geniuses that help him make his movies seemless. keanu's voice just doesnt work for spike and his brow line doesnt say apathetic bounty hunter with a heart of gold.

#180 John, His acting skills should not be called into question -- Quite the contrary, I think his skills would prove superb towards the goal. I simply feel that is easier to suspend disbelief when a younger actor portrays an older character than the other way around.

Wow, this is really terrible news. I hope this film never sees the theatre.

Did anyone see Keanu on TMZ this week? His hair was all long n shit and looked the part. From his comments I think he understands what is cool about the series and is showing proper respect, his voice and the director are worrisome though. TBH, the casting of Jet, Faye, and Ed may be more trouble than spike.

Have any of you Keanu haters actually seen a decent body of his work?! He's a much more diverse actor than you seem to be giving him credit for. Of course he plays similar characters in his block-buster hits; thats what happens with casting in blockbusters; they expect the lead actor to play to `type'. But if you watch any of his indy films (thumbsucker!), you discover he's got a better range (and a better sense of humor) than Speed or the Matrix would indicate.

I'm worried for this...I really am... I mean, why not just get it over with and burn my money now? BUT! I will see it. It deserves a shot, at the very least. And Reeves better try his damndist on this one. If he fucks up my childhood I will just...ugh. I'm giving him the opportunity to prove himself in my eyes and everone else's. And I swear to god if they leave out Ed because they didn't think her important enough a character, I'll lose it. And I expect an Ein, and the right breed of corgi, please hollywood!!

I just read some more comments and recon Whedon directing would be a good start. As for other actors...Stephen Chow for spike? Fuck it Zaid said he'd do it for free (Comment 71). Respect on the cosplay bro. Bruce Willis could do Jet but Jet is 36 and Bruce is like over 60 now. Same goes for Ford. What about villains? Bad guys gotta act too. Keanu could work for Vicious as he is one of the most 1 dimentional and wooden characters in the series already.

I refuse to spend any amount of money to watch keanu reeves squat down and take a shit on my favorite show of all time. As far as I'm concerned this movie isnt even being made. Maybe, a week or so after this movie comes out and I do hear some good things about it then I'll watch it. Otherwise forget it.

First off all, I can't see why it always have to bee a Hollywood movie. Leave it to a Japanese director, it's a look at American culture from the outside... It's hard to see yourself from the outside. Second, I don't hold to much against Keanu Reeves, but I would prefair fresh actors in the role (have Hollywood given up on open casting sessions and auditions??) If you put a famous actor in the role it will just be a famous face, nobody could see it as the caracter. VERY few a-list actors (with perhaps the exception of old greats like Gary Oldman) can make you forget about that you actually are watching a famous actor. It's annoying when teenagers wants someone like Brad Pitt in the role, cause its a famous face.. and the only they can think of. Get to the "ground level" and dig for fresh eagery actors and not just go for pretty famous faces to sell the movie, lazy uncreative Hollywood producers!

Well, no matter if they put my mom in the role of Spike, it wouldn't matter... people would still see it out of pure curiosity

I think this guy fits the bill perfectly. He is tall, about 6'2'' and skinny with naturally puffy hair. If you ask me, he is the real life version of Spike. http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/3/12/23/f_Project1m_8f866d8.png

Holy Crap this is going to kill me. Cowboy Bebop into a movie OK. But Keanu as Spike hell no. He can't even have more than two sentences in a line of dialog. He is a poor excuse for an actor. They should at least get Jason Scott Lee at least he as some Jeet Kun Do training when he did Dragon. Spike is supposed to be Chinese anyways.

Actually, shit... Donnie Yen for Vicious.

With Keanu Cowboy Bebop will be trash- -- a better Spike, especially with a bushy hair would be Vincent Cassel. Hands down.

Jack black or Tom Hanks would play spike perfectly i think

Dude; chill. Take a moment -- http://www.firstshowing.net/img/faye-valentine-costume-vert.jpg Perhaps you need to read-up a little on the genre... (look at who I'm asking to read) {sorry, folks} This is a _message_ board, we're not the ones that are steaming you off. A little restraint please. The plural of "anecdote" is not "data". -- anon

I'll watch the movie. I don't care who comes out in it. If it's bad , well..sad, but we have the anime. If someone don't like the cast for the cowboy bebop movie then just don't watch it. I saw the Dragon Ball Evolution movie, cuz i'm a fan of DBZ and wanted to see it, even when I didn't like the cast for it. But I really wouldn't watch that movie again.

I hope to hell this does NOT come to be. What a disgrace it will surely be.

Has Keanu Reeves really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like???

"oh my god. all of you homos stfu about keanu reeves. if you refuse to see it based on something like that, you're a retard. obviously the creators of the series had to approve all this stuff, and i think they would know what they're doing since they created the damn thing. quit whining so much and go back to your hentai." lol are you kidding? do you even know what decent acting is? have you seen the show cowboy bebop? spike isn't like any character reeve's has ever played before, and not once have i ever seen him capable of demonstrating a side other than the classic action man with a heart and sense of humor both cold as stone. there's no warmth to his character ever, and if he didn't have a recurring role in every single fucking movie i'd be a bit more hopeful for his ability to portray a different persona. furthermore, what the fuck is up with that racist kid talking about whites taking rolls from the asians? i think i heard you spit more racist remarks about Caucasians than i've ever heard. what the fuck is wrong with you? i'm showing my friends that comment as a hysterical laugh, do you speak in all caps too? fucking idiot. if you had cited more evidence to your bullshit claim that would be one thing, but you just came off as a very annoying, troubled individual who can't make a valid argument therefore ultimately everything he says irrelevant in any and all contexts. assuming that the creators of the show have approved of the actors and shit is a claim based on no evidence whatsoever.. we won't know that anything has been approved until they actually get anything going. you read the article, did you not? so you understand that there's virtually no progress that's been made whatsoever when it comes to the actual movie, just a misplaced hollywood star tangled in a confusing, difficult project that has yet to make any notable step. if they were as serious as they need to be in order to actually make something out of this, they would highly reconsider their decision in lead role. if they are familiar with the show at all that is. i just wanted to clarify things to people, don't think this is at all going to happen just because you've read this article and others with the same claims elsewhere on the internet. until you start to see some actual evidence that the film is in production, chill out. for fucks sake and what the fuck about people speaking with any sort of hope about megan fox's acting ability? she is just a hot piece of ass, nothing more. she is an embarrassing result of pop culture. to conclude, i have not a shroud of respect for this project currently. i will most likely bear witness to the end result (if there ever is one) for the same reasons i saw dragonball evolution. at this point to be optimistic is to be stupid, it also means you are a droning mindless zombie that eats up anything hollywood is willing to spit at you. congratulations, you have no taste.

OH god, i seriously hope that this doesn't ruin the series. I agree that the series is an example of anime perfection and live action might spoil it. I agree Keanu reeves was good in the matrix, but the character was in NO shape or fashion anywhere close to the deepness of Spike. If it;s good though, maybe I can get my friends into anime!!! And maybe it'll rivive some cowboy bebop themed anime (that's all i want 4 xmas!!!!) And I HATE the english dub of spike, it's too deep. I don't think I can take too much more deep voice acting!!!! Interesting to see who plays vicious and Ed and how they do it with fill ins and new stuff

I feel that John Woo should direct this movie. The entire anime was practically a homage to John Woo and his films. I feel like it would be a nice gesture to the creator's of Bebop if Woo then took over the film and remade it through his eyes. He's the only man for the job and would not disappoint.

I hope they use unknowns because these characters are so unique and complex that i dont think someone whos been in alot of movie and already has a set sort of character thats they play all the time (like reeves) would be a good fit. Honestly ill see this movie no matter whos in it. The soundtrack? comeon just get the seatbelts to do it again. they've shown again and again that they can make the soundtracks, why not just have them do it?

Ryan Renolds for Spike Kate Beckensale for Fey Was thinking Sammy J for Jet, but the only 'downside' I think it'd be would be he's too big of a name. That little sister from Zombie Land for Ed

Word

i don't know about the idea of cowboy bebop turning into a live action movie. look at all the blunders in the past, dragonball, tekken, streetfighter with van dam and the newest street fighter chun-lee shit, they where all fine until they where made into a live action movie. i mean cowboy bebop is still my favorite anime ever, the characters, the story line, the soundtrack. with yoko kanno's taste for music and mai yamane for vocals and the seatbelts for the band it's a master peice. keanu would be good if he looses weight. i know he's a good actor maybe a slight maybe he could pull it off. spike should be cool calm funny but still lonely and sad and if EIN turns into a 3D dog that's enough to destroy the movie. i know 3D is in because of the avatar movie but if they turn cowboy bebop the same way i will vomit in the theater.

Eh...I'm willing to give the movie a shot. I think it would be interesting if they did a story based off the times before the series started. About Spike's past, almost. Then again, none of the original characters would be involved, really, except Spike (though, that does give them a little more wiggle room in case they blow it big time). If someone were to play Faye, though, I could almost see Zooey Deschanel. She's got the kind of look for it, and can totally see her being a bad-ass.

Keanu Reeves, thumbs up for spike, but Steve Blum should do his voice!!!

and oh yeah Vicious:Christian Bale

i love cowboy bebop even if i just started watching it its the best (love the music). keanu reeves? hmm im not sure about him. iv onley seen him in the day the earth stood still and he was very...stiff but i suppose that was his charecter. and i dont think he'll screw it up but if they screw up on ed somone is going to get a face full of fist...or a law suit what ever comes first.

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I surely hope that this falls through; Keanu Reeves is a good actor, but would ruin Spike Spiegel for me.

Why don't they just choose Rain as a prefect role. He would be a prefect role as spike spiegel. Anyone herd of ninja assassin. Im look just look at him he was so quiet and rough guy...Im telling you rain and reeves would be prefect facing off eachother..reeves as vicious and spike as rain. The flim will be great...