Cowboy Bebop Live Action Movie

Cowboy Bebop Live Action MovieNot content with simply creating a live action version of Dragonball, it now appears that Fox is also developing a live action version of the classic anime series Cowboy Bebop as well.

In an interview with iFMagazine, Erwin Stoff, who has worked on movies such as The Matrix and A Scanner Darkly, said the following:

“I’m developing COWBOY BEBOP for Fox, but doing it as a live-action film, so I’m working on that at the moment,” Stoff tells iF. “I’m really excited to be working on it, and it’s in the really early stages. We just signed it the other day.”

The good news is that Stoff has promised to be as faithful to the original series as possible, quote:

“I have such an enormous admiration for its creators, that our first and foremost concern is going to be a real degree of faithfulness to the tone of the movie, to the mix of genres, and so on and so forth,” he says. “When I met with them in Japan, one of the first things that I brought up was the experience that we had on A SCANNER DARKLY, and how hard we worked to remain faithful to Philip K. Dick, and that was our big concern here.”

Anyone want to make some guesses as to who will be cast for the roles of Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed?

Source: iFMagazine, via The Anime Blog

Filed under: Anime, Live Action | Top

57 Comments »

  1. I’d call Hugh Jackman for Spike, but he’s too short.

    I’m wondering who will play Ein. Lol.

    Comment posted July 23, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
  2. Shiki says:

    Angelina Jolie for Faye? Granted, she may be a bit old for the part, but I’m drawing a blank on 20-something actresses who have the badass/seductress thing down.

    Comment posted July 24, 2008 @ 5:16 am
  3. Windigo says:

    I feel the Jolie for Faye, but for spike hn,,,,maybe keanu reeves? …….I know to much

    Comment posted July 25, 2008 @ 8:28 am
  4. Keanu Reeves is a bit monotone. Even for Spike’s standards.

    Comment posted July 25, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
  5. Zaxous says:

    Us at G4tv.com decided that… (quoted from G4kenshin02) Spike should be played by Adrien Brody. Jet should be played by Jeff Bridges. Faye should be played by Selma Blair. Ed could be played by Dakota Fanning.

    Though I’m the one who thought of Jeff Bridges first =P

    Comment posted July 29, 2008 @ 3:40 am
  6. yukionna says:

    Here’s my choices:

    Spike: Clive Owen (Shoot ‘Em Up)
    Faye: Milla Jovovich (Ultraviolet)
    Ed: an unknown, can someone that crazy really be found?? Yes. Yes they can.
    Jet: I honestly don’t know. I couldn’t think of anyone, even with all the makeup that can be used. Where are all the buff older actorsat?? Hollywood is in decline.

    Comment posted July 30, 2008 @ 11:37 am
  7. yourmom says:

    Ok, every single one of these actors and actresses you people have named are awful, and possibly the worst choices ever for the parts. Please stop defiling the good name of Bebop with these disgracful suggestions.
    Poop out.

    Comment posted July 31, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
  8. fullbleach says:

    I agree with yourmom with all these wild suggestions accept the one about and that is Jeff Bridges as Jet and Keanu Reeves as Spike. I think he could pull it off especially since Spike always has a nonchalant look about him.

    Comment posted July 31, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
  9. Rennais says:

    I suspect by the time they actually get their budget in order, a script written, and a support staff in place there will be plenty of new and upcoming actors/actresses to choose from.

    I just hope for heaven’s sake they use Yoko Kanno for the score…it just wouldn’t be Bebop without her music

    Comment posted July 31, 2008 @ 11:49 pm
  10. Fay says:

    ..I don’t even think this movie should be made. Live action anime movies are just completely stupid. It ruins the anime. But yea…I doubt actors can be found good enough to portray Ed, Jet, Faye, and Spike. Ein should be simple tho!

    Comment posted August 1, 2008 @ 3:24 am
  11. dinner says:

    ron pearlman for jet

    Comment posted August 1, 2008 @ 4:10 am
  12. weooew says:

    faye from ‘burn notice’ struck me as pretty much the same character, no clue who the actress was…

    my guess is that the actors won’t be bigshots

    Comment posted August 1, 2008 @ 5:46 am
  13. Jeremiah Night says:

    Bruce Willis for Jett, Josh Hartnett(sp?) for Spike, and that chick from Underworld for Faye???
    no matter who they pick its going to come down to having a really good director, and an excellent script.

    Comment posted August 2, 2008 @ 10:44 pm
  14. Animeholic says:

    Damn! What’s with this big anime-going-Hollywood boom? It’s making me so depressed and nervous… I really hope they don’t screw this one up.

    Comment posted August 3, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
  15. giggles says:

    Josh Harnett? Are you high?

    Angelina Jolie would ruin Faye.

    Comment posted August 3, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
  16. carlos SantaOlaya says:

    Ok this is was going on people. First we know we have a great producer, but we need a master as a director for this #$%^. We need Shinichiro WATANABE!!! at what ever cost !!!
    I dont care about the actors you need somebody who will keep the smallest details in the movie. Like the dog fight scenes, check macross plus and cowboy bebop the movie. The dog fights are similar. we need somebody who will keep these details on the movie.

    Comment posted August 6, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
  17. Shane says:

    wow if they cast keanu(I know kung fu)reeves for spike I will personally see to it that the fox empire comes tumbling down in an otaku-fueled Armageddon so righteous that the only thing they would ever dare to live action adapt would be hello kitty. other that that I would say jason statham but he’s BALD >_<.

    Comment posted August 7, 2008 @ 1:12 am
  18. RyuuKisu says:

    Director: Shinichiro Watanabe! Yes! I agree strongly with carlos SantaOlaya. You cant make a live action with a different director!!! Shinichiro Watanabe is the only person for the job >.…< damn i really hope they dont mess this up. I grew up with COWBOY BEBOP, *sigh* please let this work.

    Comment posted August 7, 2008 @ 5:03 am
  19. Fayfay says:

    Ron Perlman as Jet.
    Kate Beckinsale as Faye.
    NO DAKOTA FANNING AS ED!
    I dont care who you get to play her but for the love of God, Doakota would ruin her!

    Comment posted August 7, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
  20. seatbelt7 says:

    Dakota is now too old looking for ed, and besides I’ve always detested her…don’t ask me why its just one of those things.

    I really don’t know who I want to act. But what we do need is a script from heaven and a director that can pull cowboy bebop off down to the minute details of the show.

    Also the soundtrack…it better be Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts or I’ll be PISSED. I love the soundtracks.

    Comment posted August 11, 2008 @ 3:19 am
  21. Mo Gizzle says:

    I heard that Keanu Reeves, the world’s worst actor, might play Spike Spiegel, which royally sucks. However, I would like to see Nicole Kidman play Julia, and possibly Milla Jovovich as Faye Valentine. Also, I will be royally pissed if the soundtrack does not have anything from Yoko Kanno.

    Comment posted August 11, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
  22. Trashsiter says:

    No, please god no.
    If it HAS to be done though. . .
    Takeshi Kaneshiro as Spike
    Ving Rhames or Colin Salmon as Jet
    Qui Shu or Gabrielle Anwar as Faye
    I have NO fricken clue for Ed
    Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as Vicious

    Comment posted August 12, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
  23. JamesonUnitNo21 says:

    I’ve said before that Takeshi Kaneshiro reminded me of Spike in Returner. Awesome.

    Of course, when he was wearing the coat with the furry collar, he made me think of Squall, too, but anyway, it’s fab that you mentioned him.

    Comment posted August 12, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
  24. teacup says:

    how about jim sturgess for spike

    Comment posted August 14, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
  25. Rennais says:

    I know they are small roles, but you gotta have the Big Shots pair and I think Phil Lamarr would be perfect! Not sure about the girl…I know it’s sterotype but Jessica Simpson wouldn’t be too bad I suppose. My husband said by the time they get to filming Miley Cyrus might be able to pull it off?

    Comment posted August 16, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
  26. Maneski says:

    My choice would be:
    David Tennant from dr who as Spike
    Eva Green as Faye and Monica Bellucci as Julia ( ok maybe not the best choice as julia, but i would love to see her in it ^^)
    Problem with Keanu Reeves is that he comes across as trying to be cool, whereas spike is just cool 24/7.

    Comment posted August 16, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
  27. Sunegami says:

    If Keanu Reeves is cast as Spike, I will petition to have the movie remade immediately. The man is seriously stupid; he’d never be able to understand and portray all of Spike’s little nuances.

    Spike: Hugh Jackman would be awesome, but he’s a little old. I love the Clive Owen suggestion. How ’bout Val Kilmer? He’s kind of short, but I think he could do it.

    Faye: What about Halle Berry? Yes, I’m aware that Faye’s not black, but I think Halle could pull off Faye’s attitude the best. Mila Kunis? Maybe, but I think she’s a little too young.

    Jet: Lawrence Fishburne? Ving Rhames? What say all of you? See above comment for Faye regarding actor vs. character ethnicity.

    Ed: I have no suggestions. Sorry.

    Julia: Nicole Kidman, no question. She’s the only one who would could play Julia properly.

    What I want to know is if they’ll include the 4 crazy old guys that were in so many episodes. Those guys are awesome! X3

    Comment posted August 16, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
  28. Q says:

    I heard they had already offered the spot of Spike to Keanu Reeves.

    Comment posted August 17, 2008 @ 1:18 am
  29. marcy says:

    I think Steve Blum should be Spike. Stay true to the voice! I hope they use all unknowns or it will ruin the story. There is no one who could successfully translate any of the Bebop characters on to live screen who is already a known quantity.

    Comment posted August 18, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
  30. I says:

    Of all the suggestions, David Tennant seems the best for Spike. He has the cool and and the awesmeness of the character, not to mention he is a great actor… I mean he’s doctor f**king who. Perlman for Jet, no question. No Jolie, Blair, or Milla. Few of them can act and the one that can has too small of breasts. Kate Beckinsale…maybe for Faye. Ed would have to be animated because noone, no matter how good an actress, could pass as a sufficient Ed. Not to me anyway, Ed being my favorite character.

    Comment posted August 20, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
  31. David Tennant… Wow, it could actually work. He’d need voice lessons to use a different accent but it could work.

    Comment posted August 29, 2008 @ 12:13 pm
  32. jericho941 says:

    [Comment Redacted Due To Sheer Stupidity]

    Message from Papa Midnight:
    1. For starters, David Tennant is Scottish. Watch Doctor Who.
    2. Hugh Jackman is Australian.
    3. Monica Belluci? American? You’ll excuse me while I check my compass and my map because I could’ve sworn Italy was located on the complete other side of the Atlantic.
    4. Meanwhile, Takeshi Kaneshiro hails from the complete other side of the Pacific…

    On another note, as we’ve said before. Flaming is not allowed, especially that which is uncalled for and flat out incorrect. Please pack up and take your immature actions elsewhere.

    Comment posted August 29, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
  33. Thomas says:

    I want Nathan Fillion as Spike. That Jericho941 guy is wrong. Through all the evidence presented in the series it is likely that Spike Spiegal is Jewish-American.

    If Vin Diesel was larger he could play Jet. But that would be type-casting, I suppose.

    As for the others, I don’t know. It would be a real shame if Fox screwed it up. So long as they don’t cast Samuel L. Jackson or The Rock, I am happy.

    Comment posted August 29, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
  34. ehhhyea says:

    Jet: Sean Connery

    Comment posted August 30, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
  35. luxie says:

    how about james franco for spike? he’s younger than Keanu Reeves

    Comment posted September 1, 2008 @ 9:33 am
  36. carlos santaolaya says:

    Jet: Vin Diesel

    Spike:has to be a 20 year old young man tall and skinny so I’ll go for Orlando Bloom

    Faye: any 20 year old female actor with big boobs

    So there you guys its not really hard we just need the right people to write it direct it and put great music in it
    Julia: any blonde girl with big boobs

    Ed: who cares

    Director: Shinichiro Watanabe

    Music: Yoko Kanno

    Comment posted September 1, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
  37. As has already been seen, speculation and personal opinions are welcome here; just keep it appropriate or your comment will be promptly sent straight to the spam cannon… or utterly made fun of :P

    On another note, I want Mai Yamane to do a live performance to be shown in the end credits :)

    Comment posted September 3, 2008 @ 11:30 pm
  38. patrick says:

    oh god please not keanu reaves. He would suck as spike. I do agree with the james franco comment though he could work. Vin deisel no. Anjelina jolie no. Ed could be played by a starved dakota fanning maybe (to make her skinnier than she is) and ein’s just a corgi so thats not hard. But for the love of god! no Keanu reaves!

    Comment posted September 10, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
  39. [...] Re: Live Action Anime Series Oh my, we already know they’re making a live Dragon Ball movie. Now Fox is planning on a live Cowboy Bebop movie. [...]

    Pingback posted September 11, 2008 @ 1:39 am
  40. cbrueck says:

    I agree Watanabe should have a major part in either the direction or screenwriting, but ever since i first saw Bebop, I’ve always thought that Luc Benson (Fifth Element, Nikita, Transporter) would make a good director for a live action adaptation.

    No Keanu. Please, for God’s sake!

    Comment posted September 21, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
  41. Ballin says:

    what about Rose McGowan for Faye?

    Comment posted September 22, 2008 @ 1:02 am
  42. Vicioux says:

    I believe Shinichiro Watanab has worked with Keanu Reeves before in a short film called Kids Story which is part of The Animatrix”Kid’s Story is one of 9 short films in The Animatrix series that reveals more about the world of The Matrix. It was written by the Wachowski brothers and directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, with animation and production design by Studio 4°C, Tokyo. It is the only one of the animated shorts contained in The Animatrix in which Keanu Reaves appears.” I think Reeves can pull it off.

    Comment posted September 24, 2008 @ 4:48 am
  43. Muffler says:

    I’d like to see some unknown names in the roles since all the people you have suggested are freaking awful. I mean Halle Berry as Faye? Jesus…

    Comment posted September 28, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
  44. Key says:

    well, I have to suggest an unknown actor for Spike: Aaron Lazar. He’s a stage actor that’s been getting into the film business. Some might know him from a couple of comcast commercials and/or as an extra in New Amsterdam.
    his website: http://www.aaronlazar.com/
    in the gallery there’s a photo of him sitting at a bar… how can you not see Spike???

    personally, i think it would be funny if Abigail Breslin did Ed… just ’cause we know she can dance ^__^

    Comment posted October 2, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
  45. MDstatus says:

    Jet Black: Ron Pearlman
    Ed: Dakota Fanning, let me think….uh?!… NO! sorry.
    Ein: a real dog and CG
    Faye Valentine: Kelly Hu (and idea), or Angelina Jolie (perfect)
    Spike Spiegel: (now he’s what 6′2″ or 6′5″ in height?)
    well…please not Keanu Reeves. But i cannot think who can fit the role perfectly, i mean he has to have wit, spontaneous humor, lots of coolness, and a Bruce Lee like fighting style. This one is very tricky.

    and as far as the directing the films project, either John Woo or Rob Cohen, jus’ an idea, what ya think? =S

    Comment posted October 4, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
  46. MDstatus says:

    Now, I’ve got one main question here that everyone wants to know, since we all are enthusiastic about the live action Cowboy Bebop film, but Who will play the villian (which i cannot stand) as VICIOUS???? Not to mention who could play Julia? So just to help evry1 out. I do not have any idea actors/actresses for these 2 characters.
    So any ideas/comments……..

    Comment posted October 4, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
  47. Gen Vicious says:

    I’m rooting for Aaron Lazar as Spike, myself.
    I could totally see Ron Perlman as Jet, but he’s busy with a movie with Gackt.
    Faye old gal… Kate Beckinsale would be choice. Or Rose McGowan, but I heard she was busy as well.
    Ed… Fck if I know. Sorry…
    Ein could just as easily be some trained Welsh Corgi

    Comment posted October 5, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
  48. anon says:

    are you guys on crack or something. david tennent would make an awful spike. he’s cool just in a completely different way.

    Also why can’t an englishman or someone from europe play any of the characters. last time i checked spike was from mars.

    anyway i think. John Cusack for Spike (Watch grosse point blank and you’ll understand)

    micky rouke for jet (hes both old and gruff enough)

    I could agree on mila kunis for faye (So long as she doesn’t f**k up in max payne and i can get the thought of her in family guy out of my head)

    Ed - would be good played by an unknown. be good to give a young actor a break.

    Comment posted October 8, 2008 @ 4:15 am
  49. anon says:

    on another note heres the blighty cast for bebob.

    christain bale -spike
    kate beckinsale- faye
    robbie coltrane(lol) - jet
    ed - any obnoxious kid actor seen on cbbc
    ein - one of the queens corgis
    Vicious - paul bettany

    also i think if think they should get chan - wook park to direct. watch any of the vengence trilogy and you’ll understand.

    Comment posted October 8, 2008 @ 4:21 am
  50. /b/ says:

    Ok first of all.

    Spike - Johnny Depp (A little cliche yes, but as far as attitude, height, weight, physical likeness goes… He is perfect. And he isnt an awful actor, who by the way has plenty of gun fights under his belt.)

    Jet - Jeff Bridges (Once again, likeness and acting would be perfect.)

    Faye - Charlize theron (In my opinion a great role for her to play.)

    Vicious - Hiroyuki Sanada (He is pretty much a big deal. There isnt anyone I can think of who would be better to play him.

    Ed - AnnaSophia Robb (To be honest, of all the child actresses out there, she is the best pick. The others are less lively.)

    Julia - Nicole Kidman (She has it all for this character.)

    Comment posted October 8, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
  51. MDstatus says:

    Ok, now i am very impressed so far in what i have read these comments about the cast roles…

    Hiroyuki Sanada as Vicious
    Keanu Reeves or Aaron Lazar as Spike Spiegel
    Kate Beckinsale as Faye Valentine
    A trained Welsh Corgi as Ein
    AnnaSophia Robb as Ed
    Ron Pearlman or Ving Rhames as Jet Black
    Charlize Theron as Julia

    Ok everyone check this out, if Hollywood ever happens to alter and plans to put a familiar character in the beginning
    of CB live action film (franchise), like i don’t know, shall i say along the long the lines as….Grencia Mars Elijah Guo Eckener or Gren for short, who would play the perfect role for the character?

    At first i would believe they might put an actress to play the role instead of a man (with a female figure/boobs), so anyway, at first i was thinking Kate Beckinsale, (take her out as Faye and have her play as Gren, and have Angelina Jolie as Faye.

    So what you think? ‘Cuz from what i have been reading online, and already in the Anime Magazine that Cowboy Bebop is already under development, so think fast…lol

    Comment posted October 14, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
  52. jay says:

    how about instead of angelina jolie for faye(like so many of you said)you actualy get someone young and attractive.

    before you say anything,im not that helpful either.
    i cant think of anyone awesome enough to play spike.

    Comment posted October 18, 2008 @ 8:46 am
  53. d cobb says:

    keanu reeves for spike kate beckinsale
    for faye dakota fanning for ed brad pitt for vicious lawrence fishburne for jet think about it hard its perfect casting

    Comment posted October 22, 2008 @ 11:44 pm
  54. d cobb says:

    i think i forced the brad pitt thing tho lol but keanu did neo so damn good matrix is the best shit ever n i bet he can do it again i’m kinga lost on the vicious part i would say heath ledger but hes dead now james franco maybe? vicious is a tuffy

    Comment posted October 22, 2008 @ 11:56 pm
  55. d cobb says:

    nicole kidman for julia is a good ass idea also email me at kingcobb07@verizon.net if u wanna talk bout this subject some more this is the best anime ever and its character selection must not be screwed up

    Comment posted October 23, 2008 @ 12:01 am
  56. chris o says:

    I think Camilla Belle should play Fei, Spike should be Edward Norton with poofy hair

    Comment posted November 1, 2008 @ 2:55 am
  57. dizzy says:

    spike: the main character from “across the universe” because he looks about the age spike is in the show(27)

    jet: ving raymes because i think the voice and attitude match well

    faye: f**k if i know, not any of the names posted so far

    ed: another good question

    vicious: this could be a possible johnny depp roll, not really a fan of his, but i draw another blank on this and he’s the only name that remotely comes up

    julia: oh, the angel of the underworld herself…it would have to be someone thirty something, cuz if im right, i beleve shes older than spike…a cougar if you will. ill agree with nicole kidman

    and i think to do this correctly, it will have to be a trilogy…just a thought

    Comment posted November 17, 2008 @ 2:49 am

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