Keanu Reeves is set to play futuristic bounty hunter Spike Spiegel in a live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime series Cowboy Bebop, Variety reports. You don’t have to be a fan of the show to understand why Reeves was cast: It’s set in 2071. Spike wears cool clothes and packs heat. Done. I’m down with Reeves’ casting because I’ll watch Keanu in anything (I see emotion even when you don’t), and because my attachment to Spike began roughly 10 minutes ago when I watched the ending of the 26-episode series on YouTube. Bang! (I’d recommend spoilerphobic newbies settle for the opening of Ep 1, below.)
What do you diehard fans think? Who would you like to see cast as paternal cyborg Jet, sassy femme Faye, and girly techno-savant Ed?
More on Keanu Reeves and Cowboy Bebop:
Keanu Reeves: 24 career highs and lows
EW reviews Reeves’ movies
Keanu Reeves confesses his comic book obsession
Lisa Schwarzbaum reviews the 2003 Cowboy Bebop movie
Marc Bernardin reviews the Cowboy Bebop movie DVD (from which, I confess, I stole my description of the supporting characters)
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wtf? Consider me surprised on both the announcement of a Cowboy Bebop movie and with Keanu as Spike.
I can rant about how bad an anime adaption can wind up (see the trailer for the upcoming Dragonball trailer), but it could work under skilled hands. It’s not a difficult show to translate to the big screen, considering it’s no less quirky than most sci-fi. It’s more Blade Runner than Star Trek, without all the ambiguous storytelling. I’d be more hopeful if Keanu wasn’t Spike, in spite of the Matrix, since he’s hardly an ideal Spike. He might wind up surprising Bebop fans, but I don’t think he can pull it off.
P.S. Yeah, you might not want to look at the final episode clip if you haven’t watched Bebop before or it’ll probably ruin your viewing experience for the rest of the series.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
“(I see emotion even when you don’t)” *Best line ever!
I actually think Keanu is a great casting choice! With all the “color blind” casting going on for Asian-themed films, this is the only one that would work.
Nothing personal against Keanu, but he is so wrong for this part. But I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be. The series was already perfection, I don’t think it needs to be made live-action, and I really hate to see Hollywood taking a stab at ruining it.
I say NO NO NO to Keanu, but my biggest concern is they replace the outstanding jazz/blues with some Fast n’ Furious horse crap. They need to make this with the same love used to make Watchmen.
(Otherwise, I’d like to see Gong Li as Faye.)
Ed’s not girly, Ed is a girl.
Johnny Depp was born to play Spike. I thought this was universally understood.
“(Otherwise, I’d like to see Gong Li as Faye.)” —- THIS.
Jett: I don’t know
Faye: Angelina Jolie
Ed: I don’t know
Wow. I mean…Wow. I am just lost for words here. Keanu as Spike? That may be one of the worst ideas I have ever heard.
What is wrong with Hollywood that when they decide to totally destroy something unique and great like Cowboy Beebop they have to pick a guy pushing 45 YEARS OF AGE!!!!! Keanu is NOT YOUNG ANYMORE PEOPLE!!! Spike is in his 20s! They’ve picked an actor twice his age! What is wrong with them? I know Keanu plays these characters well, but don’t we have a younger guy who can play them to? Please Hollywood, I know he’s bankable, but he’s also ancient.
Why is this man still allowed to make movies? Why are they still giving him millions of dollars to destroy things? No one watched “The Matrix” because of him. Without that film, what’s the last thing he headlined that was profitable? Plus, he can’t act! I liked him when he was young — I thought he got a bad rap — but now he’s blank and dull. Unless he’s playing a coma victim, he’s going to absolutely suck the life out of this.
No.
Next they’ll say Charlize Theron will play Faye, and Amy Adams will play Ed. Jason Stratham for Jet.
NO. I prefer my anime animated, thanks.
I’ve never been a particular anime fan, but I adore Cowboy Bebop. Its quirky and beautiful, with amazing music and intriguing characters.
I suggest the end of Ballad of Fallen Angels for anyone who’d really like to get an idea of the show without spoiling themselves for the whole series. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzFSsZo7rfA
As for Keanu Reeves, he’s certainly not my ideal for Spike. But I can’t think of any actor at the moment who I would be content with, nonetheless excited over. I just hope a liveaction Cowboy Bebop can actually do the show justice.
Ahhhh, can’t wait. The other half promised to love, honor and watch every Keanu movie ever made, when he married me.