Erwin Stoff is not one of those names that leaps out at you because he is a producer. Less in the limelight. He did manage to bring us Constantine and I Am Legend among others, and now while talking about his new series Kings he slipped that he has signed on for a live action adaptation of the Japanese series Cowboy Bebop.
IF Magazine quotes Erwin Stoff:
“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.”
So not much more about it is known short of the fact that they are going to do one.
I know very little about Cowboy Bebop short of what my friends who dig anime say. Apparently it is a good show which I am repeatedly encouraged to watch. Just never got around to it. Quick digging online reveals why they think I would like it.
The story seems to have some more adult-ish themes, deals with a crew of bounty hunters, and an interwoven story of its cast of characters. It takes place in a distant future where cultures are nearly blended to one society and other planets like Mars have striving cities. Judging by some of the artwork, the style is pretty sharp.
An interesting thing might be the lead character’s trademarked cigarette always hanging from his mouth. Simply having the hero be a smoker could tempt the new ratings scale making this more adult than maybe Fox would want to market it as. Will they forego the cig to keep the movie more demographically broad? Realisticly, even if the original material is more adult, tweaking it to be more teen friendly opens up a lot more doors. And you know that they won’t be targeting the existing fanbase to fill the seats.
I am going to try and check out some of Cowboy Bebop anime pretty soon, and keep an eye out for this project.
30 Comments, Comment or Ping
Brent Weichsel
Cowbo Bebop is one of the better sci-fi shows out there yeah it has some episodes that fall right into the amine cliche but overall it was a quality show. This could turn into a very interesting project.
Jul 23rd, 2008
handle
One of the few anime cartoons I watched and loved from start to finish.
If you want a quick fix to see what the show is about and see how awesome it is you can watch the animated movie. I believe it is called “Knockin on Heaven’s Door”. It’s quite awesome. I think I lost my copy of it….damnit.
Funny I saw that guy that plays Chuck on tv and thought “hey he looks a lot like Spike from Cowboy Bebop if they ever made a movie.” Lanky and poofy, curly hair. He would probably be perfect.
Jul 23rd, 2008
Andee23
Shut the *beep* up OMG
I never thought I would live to see the day that Bebop was made into a live action movie. I’ve always dream about, it I just hope they do something that. Will satisfy the fans of the show as much as the Bebop adverse
Jul 23rd, 2008
Rodney
Chuck does look like he could fit the look. From the sound of some of the fansites the main character is Jewish and was modeled somewhat after Bob Dylan. Albiet with green bushy hair.
Yeah, Levi could have that part in my head.
Jul 23rd, 2008
handle
I read the bit about it have “adult-ish themes”.
Very much so. In the movie I mentioned above, the badguy pretty much rapes one of female main characters. Pretty disgusting. They don’t hold back when making you want to hate him.
I hope they make it R rated but I couldn’t see that happening considering it being based on a cartoon. But it is rather silly since I believe the cartoon is on adult swim (or was) and they didn’t cut anything out that I can recall (blood, people dying, curse words).
Jul 23rd, 2008
Andee23
Levi is great but he ain’t Spike this is like the coolest guy who ever wore a fro and smoked a cig and Levi doesn’t fit he’s funny but not kick your ass cool.
Jul 23rd, 2008
Darren J Seeley
Why not? There was that Akira talk awhile ago…
BTW, “Knockin on Heaven’s Door” is what most fans call the Cowboy Bebop film, the cover of which appears in Rodney’s post.
What I loved about the film is that it is somewhat can be seen as a stand alone film; it helps if you already know the characters, but if you don’t, the writing and characterization brings you up to speed.
Like Akira, there were times in the film where you *forgot* you were watching an anime film.
A LA Bebop has some appeal; but if it was up to me, I’d just commision another anime. Either way, lots of guns.
Jul 23rd, 2008
joonavar
NO WAY! This will be interesting to track. It was an excellent anime - would be interesting to see who they cast for this.
And Ein…how could we forget poor little Ein…
This is definitely one of the better anime’s out there I think - such a swish, sassy and sometimes sexy show
Jul 23rd, 2008
Andee23
I would like to see unknowns cast as Spike and Vicious. If
they include Vicious in this incarnation that is. Vicious would be as pivotal a role to play as Spike’s would be.
Jul 23rd, 2008
Bruce
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Jul 23rd, 2008
JESSE
Cowboy Bebop is a truly great anime. I would love to see it in live action, but I know it would get butchered for the masses. To give it justice the budget would have to be massive.
Jul 23rd, 2008
Atticus
i was gonna do that NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thing but u beat me to it Bruce..
NOOOOOOOOO!
Jul 23rd, 2008
Atticus
btw,,does anyone think that firefly feels a bit like cowboy bebop?
some parts of it anyways
Jul 24th, 2008
Chris Garcia
This anime was number 3 on my Top 10 animes that should be made into live action.
Jul 24th, 2008
Anthony
im with Bruce on this one
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Jul 24th, 2008
Chris Garcia
To be honest all you would really need is a good solid director who understands and knows the source material (e.g. Zach Snyder) instead of some idiotic wackjob who is only doing it for the money (Again Uwe Bull!!) and Actors who fit the part perfectly.
Jul 24th, 2008
Chris
Cowboy Bebop is the show that completely changed my mind about anime in the first place. And because it’s more episode-based, they could write a completely original story for it and it would still be faithful as long as we have the characters working their magic.
The overall show in general feels like a mash-up between Serenity, Casablanca, and every shoot ‘em up gangster movie ever made. I can’t wait to see this.
Jul 24th, 2008
chris (the real one)
FUCK YOU!!! hollywood stop this shit…please….almost every week there is an announcement of a new movie based on a franchise i love and they more times than not fuck it up…..stop tainting classics with your shit americanized garbage
Jul 24th, 2008
shadopup
I haven’t watch a lot of anime. I’ve seen maybe 5 or 6 and hated or disliked most of them. The genres ranged from giant robots fighting, to school girls to headache-inducing sci-fi cyber stuff existentialism (I’m looking at you ghost in a shell, no offense meant to those who like it but that really did give me a bad headache).
Although I do really like Ghibli Studio films. Those are great.
That said the only TV anime I ever liked and watched every single episode was Cowboy Bebop. It’s one of the best TV serials period anywhere in the world. I feel that it’s probably the most appropriate anime to adapt for a North American audience with its more realistic art style, use of jazz music and western cowboy themes mixed with some impressive sci-fi outer-space imagery and adventure. The characters are multi-layered and the stories were funny and exciting.
As for a live action movie…I can see it possibly being done well. Yeah, you need the right people and I don’t know if Hollywood will get the right people. This show is so good, I don’t want it to be screwed up by a poor Hollywood adaptation.
Jul 24th, 2008
Andee23
I think a huge step in the right direction to pleasing the fanbase and keeping this adaptation, as faithful as possible. To the spirit of the original series would be bringing on Hajime Yatate, the series creator and Shinichirô Watanabe. The series director as Executive Producers on the LA film, like they are doing with Akira and Katsuhiro Ôtomo being an EP on that adaptation.
Jul 24th, 2008
Meli
My fear is we’ll get a watered down version of the anime. I hope it’s not and that they successfully translate the show.
Jul 24th, 2008
SpikeSpiegel
OMG, NO!! STAY AWAAAY! Seriously, this one of the many reasons i despise hollywood. What the hell is wrong watching the original version (anime)? Dammit, i’m just not going watch it, it will just break my heart.
Following movies will : dbz(sigh), Metal Gear Solid (sigh) and this. I suggest you watch cowboy bebop knocking on heaven’s door, there is no reason why we can’t have another ANIMATED movie, but no…
bah,i’m through (holds dvd boxs close and forgets this announcement)
Jul 24th, 2008
angelunderworld1
I am a huge Cowboy Bebop fan, more importantly, I am a great admirer of the show, its writing and wonderful storytelling.
Though I know I’m not the only one (or even important for that matter) Its of course, not the single opinion of an average fan that decides the fate or conception of a project, but instead the reality of commerce and commercialism… I understand and accept that and that’s fine… But honestly, everyone, did they really have to go and potentially ruin what is possibly the greatest animated television series ever produced?…
The moment I heard a reference to the show in a skit during Late Night with Conan O Brien recently on TV, I knew it was just a matter of time before the popularity of the show etched its way into Hollywood. And for the most part, that seems likely to happen.
In my opinion this film could either be great or stink big time, however, its really not going to make a diiference to the legacy of the series. However, casting will be crucial to its success in my opinion.
There has been some talk of Keanu Reeves in the title role as Spike Spiegel. I like Reeves, but he’s completely wrong (unless he totally re-thinks his entire acting approach). This could become the Matrix part IV if they’re not careful. I’d like someone like Guy Pierce or Ryan Gosling in the role. Though they’d probably not go that road.
I’ve said this before on other blogs (mainly because I don’t have anything else to do at the moment other than express my disconcern for this project) but Faye will be next to impossible or easy to cast correctly. They need someone with the spunk of Reese Witherspoon, the beauty of Kelly Hu and the danger of Milla Jolvovich. All in all, it doesn’t look good.
Jet should be played by someone like Ving Rhames. Though I wouldn’t pick that actor, he’d probably be O.k.
Ed… Just what the heck can they do with that?
Vera Farmiga would be an excellent Julia (just check her out in The Departed) though I admit, she’s probably too old now. Knowing Hollywood, they’ll likely throw out the shows mythology all together and opt for something totally different. Which could seriously hurt or benefit the project.
All in all, as a fan, I’m all for the advancement of the popularity of the mythology. I know it doesn’t really belong to me or anyone else for that matter, but as an admirer of the work you of course feel a certain sense of ownership. I just hope the creators take into consideration the fans’ opinions and the original creator’s visions, without of course compromising they’re own risks.
Cowboy Bebop may well turn out to be just another cannon fodder, product placement, x-generation glop of a movie if they’re not careful. Then again, maybe thats what they had in mind all along.. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. Then again, maybe I simply won’t.
You heard it here first.
Jul 24th, 2008
HAZMAT
poor chris the real one…hes been saying the same thing for like a year…ever sinse transformers came out…lol i do feel sorry for you my friend…its okay maybe youll change your mind after they come out with a life action pacman movie
Jul 24th, 2008
Zac Shipley
Cowboy bebop - 26 half hour episodes +1 movie
Firefly - 13 hour episodes + 1 movie
Bebop - Motley crew of bounty hunters try to stay out of trouble, though it finds them on every planet.
Firefly - Motley crew of outlaws try to stay out of trouble, though it finds them on every planet.
Honestly, I loved Bebop, and if theres a live action movie I’m the first one in line, but… I kinda feel like I’ve already seen what live Bebop would look like with Firefly.
As for the kid above who says theres no reason we can’t have another animated movie… You did watch the show right? That crew ain’t ever working together again, and having that crew together is what made the show fun to watch. It wasn’t your typical anime, and it wasn’t your typical hollywood ending. Bebop is Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed. Get those characters right, and we’ve got a movie.
Jul 24th, 2008
David
For one to even think that such a perfectly created series could and should be translated into a live action Hollywood flick is by far one of the most ignorant and arrogant things I’ve ever heard of. If this new creator truly understood the perfect beauty of this show then he’d know that by trying to making it anything more would completely ruin its dignity. The characters, themes, colors and music distinctly fit together in the anime because it IS anime. The beautifully choreographed fight scenes and vastly rendered backgrounds contribute to the show’s perfection, and to even think that such attributes might and should be converted in to live action scenes literally rapes the show of its soul. Please do not do this, for the love of beauty do not do this.
Jul 27th, 2008
brandon
this was confirmed at comic con that they are making it :D I CANT WAIT I’M A HUGE ANIME FANATIC ESPECIALLY TO THIS SHOW :D including with all the new movie equipment now days, anything and everything is possible :D its gunna be good
Jul 27th, 2008
brandon
oh yeah if you think it will suck look at iron man alot of people said it would fail at box office and also the new watchmen but looking at the sneak peaks of watchmen set it so far has not cross the lines of making any of there fans cry, alot, and I mean alot of 90% of watchmens fans said it could never be done for 20 years and at comic con the fans were shocked to see how good, and how possible it could be done, and seeing the previews the new movie equipment has shown its potentiel, if you disagree there you are just plain stupid… go check out iron man, and find sum forums that dates back 3-4 years of them releasing that iron man was coming out, everyone said it was gonna ruin the comic heroe, but it did the opposite and actually made that heroe even bigger…
Jul 27th, 2008
scott
keanu reeves as spike!
Aug 2nd, 2008
MDstatus
Ron Pearlman as Jet
Joan Allen as Julia
Robin Shou as Vicious
Angelina Jolie as Faye
a real and CG dog as Ein
now for Spike Spiegal, should be played by a stud of the 21st century
well known actor, now, i am not knocking Keanu Reeves, but please
if they cast him in it, that will ruin the franchise, and my whole collection in keeping my Cowboy Bebop series and anime movie.
So i will have to disagree, no Keanu as Spike. Give someone else a chance, give another real actor a chance who can pull off the looks, the nonchalant coolness and the fighting style moves of Bruce Lee like
Spike.
I am having trouble trying to figure out who can play a tomboyish-computer - genius as Ed? But i heard rumours Dakota Fanning….no!
why not have the actress that starred in 2Fast2Furious as Suki, i do not know her name, but just a thought.
Let’s be real with characters, the franchise, and respect for Anime.
Now, with that in mind, if people still should believe Keanu (matrix) Reeves for Spike?, it’s just like saying, Leonardo DiCaprio as Akira or fingernails to a chalkboard, cuz Akira live action is coming next year, and i already see…disappointment.
So please don’t ruin Cowboy Bebop!
Oct 4th, 2008
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