In 1998, I was introduced to an anime series entitled "Cowboy Bebop". To tell the truth, I wasn't all that excited about it after the first episode. Not a fan of westerns (another reason why I scoffed at Firefly), not a fan of the animation style (Spike wishes he was Bruce Lee), don't listen to all that much jazz music (sure, it's the famed Yoko Kanno composing, but...), and what was up with Spike's hair?! I kept watching it because people said it was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and it did end up growing on me (huge points for Ein, the awesome Welsh Corgi). I tend to hate episodic series, but the episodes were compellingly humorous or gripping, and tiny sprinklings of Actual Overarching Plot kept me watching until the end of the show alternately ripped my heart out then made me want to crush the VHS tapes. (Yes, VHS fansubs. Old. School.)
So when the movie, Knockin' on Heaven's Door, was released, I gladly pounced on it, loved it, then moved on thinking I had just left Cowboy Bebop for good as I assumed the movie had been the show's true final gasp.
I was wrong. So very wrong.
They're turning it into a live action movie that's being developed by Fox, produced by Erwin Stoff...
...and you'll never guess who's the frontrunner to play Spike.
This is the Spike I know and love:
This is the new Spike I doubt and fear:
KEANU REEVES?! Why!?!?! Why would they do that?!
Perhaps his "enthusiastic" involvement gives the movie some kind of nerd-cred because his imdb resume places him in so many sci-fi films, but when I say "enthusiastic", everyone knows I'm being ironic! Spike is such a dynamic character, moving from callous to humorous to angry and across the entire spectrum of emotion throughout the series... and for the live action we get The One note wonder who is capable of just one emotion: detached. (Keanu as Klatuu in The Day the Earth Stood Still was such a given.)
Not to mention he and Spike look nothing alike.
This project has barely gotten off the ground, and Keanu is definitely involved in the project though not definitively cast, so there is some hope, but not much. A script is in the works and there is still much undecided. It will obviously be years before we see this project, but I now live in fear of what may be coming, especially considering how awful Fox's Dragonball Movie looks. In fact, the DB movie has a new "International Trailer" (courtesy of IGN) that is going to take an entire new post for me to rip into, it's that bad.
Oh lord, I'm starting to hyperventilate just thinking about how so very wrong the Cowboy Bebop movie could end up. I think I need to lie down.
For more information about Keanu & Cowboy Bebop:
Anime News Network: Keanu Reeves Hopes to Star in...
This is the new Spike I doubt and fear:
KEANU REEVES?! Why!?!?! Why would they do that?! Perhaps his "enthusiastic" involvement gives the movie some kind of nerd-cred because his imdb resume places him in so many sci-fi films, but when I say "enthusiastic", everyone knows I'm being ironic! Spike is such a dynamic character, moving from callous to humorous to angry and across the entire spectrum of emotion throughout the series... and for the live action we get The One note wonder who is capable of just one emotion: detached. (Keanu as Klatuu in The Day the Earth Stood Still was such a given.)
Not to mention he and Spike look nothing alike.
This project has barely gotten off the ground, and Keanu is definitely involved in the project though not definitively cast, so there is some hope, but not much. A script is in the works and there is still much undecided. It will obviously be years before we see this project, but I now live in fear of what may be coming, especially considering how awful Fox's Dragonball Movie looks. In fact, the DB movie has a new "International Trailer" (courtesy of IGN) that is going to take an entire new post for me to rip into, it's that bad.
Oh lord, I'm starting to hyperventilate just thinking about how so very wrong the Cowboy Bebop movie could end up. I think I need to lie down.
For more information about Keanu & Cowboy Bebop:
Anime News Network: Keanu Reeves Hopes to Star in...
Keanu is not charismatic enough to play Spike! All he can do is be serious and emotionless... I wonder who they will cast for the rest of the characters...Faye, Ed, Jet... I hope they don't screw it up too badly >_
Keanu does his action movies well (Point Break, Speed, Matrix, Street Kings) - and I'm seeing this anime turned into a classic action flick. People like to bash him but I think he adds credibility to this genre. What Keanu movies were really that awful?
The problem isn't his action. I'm a diehard Matrix 1 fan, but you have to admit, Keanu doesn't emote very well. He's fantastic to look at, and when the role calls for blank emotionless stares, he's your man. But when feeling or nuance is required... well... it just doesn't go well. (The Lake House, Something's Gotta Give, I'm looking at you.)
This is pretty much a disaster.
But it will probably be an AMUSING disaster.
Oh well.