July 31, 2008 Written by Nix

Keanu Reeves as Spike in Cowboy Bebop Live-Action Movie?

Big news out of the world of Rumorland today, as Firstshowing.net is reporting a rumor that Keanu Reeves has been attached to play the lead character Spike in the just-revealed “Cowboy Bebop” live-action movie. The site wouldn’t say who their source is, but that he’s close to the production. What’s more, the source also gives the stunner that Reeves has been attached to the project for as long as eight months now. Wow. Didn’t we just hear about this movie last week?

More from FirstShowing:

Yep, you heard that right, the same guy who played Neo will be taking on the role of Spike Spiegel, a former member of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate who is haunted by the memory of his time in the organization. As we mentioned previously, the show first aired in Japan in early 1998 and was brought over to America in 2001 on Adult Swim. The series follows the adventures of a group of bounty hunters traveling on their spaceship, the Bebop, in the year 2071. If you’re looking for more details regarding this live-action Cowboy Bebop movie, here’s yet another juicy tidbit. With Keanu Reeves involved, it’s obvious this is no small project. My source also told me that if everything stays the same, the budget on this will be insane.

Well it would have to be “insane”, wouldn’t it? Any sci-fi movie already means big budget, but add a big name like Reeves, and the budget will probably only get bigger. As much as I dismiss Reeves as an actor, the guy is a major draw, and studios know that.

So fans of “Cowboy Bebop”, if Reeves does end up starring in the movie, you can expect Hollywood to throw everything including the kitchen sink at this thing. Whether that is good news or bad news is entirely up to you.

Keanu Reeves in Cowboy Bebop

By Nix | Filed Under: Cowboy Bebop (Live-Action) Movie, Sci-Fi Movie News |

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  • BoB
    let it be known that the same things were said about Star Trek and I quote

    "OMG OMG, there going to ruing Star Trek now because none of these actors fit the role"

    Must we be reminded that Hollywood has surprised us in a GOOD way before, sure it has its share of disappointments
    -Dragon Ball
    -X-men Origins: Wolverine
    -Speed racer

    but let us not forget the humble and great movies that include
    -Star Trek
    -The Dark Night
    -Pirates of the Caribbean
    -Watchmen

    less i continue...

    Keep hope, but if not still see the movie, if for anything just to then remember what was you childhood
  • Kassa V
    JWAdvocate you so right, these haters just need da stop!
  • Kassa V
    Keanu Reeves not good for this roll??? Ha that's funny. Maybe if more fans pushed for more movies and it became a big hit we might see a sequel. Dragonball isn't even a great anime. All the same in Dragonball; Fight, train, talk a whole lot during the fight, explode a lot of things and have pointless side stories and people. and cry. Keanu Reeves is a good choice. The best, who knows?
  • xericho
    Keanu reaves is God!

    Justin Chatwin is Jesus Christ!
  • JWAdvocate
    Wow, you all are haters. :/

    I'm pretty sure half of you who commented have seen all three Matrix movies, and seen the first one at least twice. Funny enough how you all claim fanboy-hood but conveniently forget how well he did as Neo and Constantine (which was also badass.) Give it a chance and quit being elitists.

    (The theatres were half full, the day the Matrix opened. Why? Because fan-tards couldn't find a positive thing to say about Reeves. Two weeks later, it was breaking international records.)
  • I hope they at least reconsider casting Keanu as Spike. I love this show, and I don't want to see it ruined by ill-advised decisions. I'm not sure Keanu can play the understated personality of Spike the way it should be played. Frankly, I'm scared. How they'll translate the hair alone, as well as the other characters (Faye's got purple hair! how are they going to do that well?!) frightens me.
    mljblog.wordpress.com
  • saint_ori
    they need to cast adrian grenier as spike. he'd work more than reeves would
  • Ma.Al.13
    Oh God Please Nooo!!!
    Look what they've done to the previous attempts, why they did have to pick Bebop!?
    That anime is legendary and should remain as such UNTOUCHED!!
    I will seriously cry if it turns out as bad as I think it will be. Not because of the casting (though common no one will ever be spot on with Spike..it's Spike for crying out loud!) but this is one those anime that I believe can't be successfully reproduced as a live action.
    The characters are..idk just too complex, unique and alive within their setting to be recreated.
    I honestly wish fans of Bebop would band together and stop this if it was possible.
    In all honesty I don't have anything against Reeves, but I DO NOT see him at all as Spike..
  • cimo19
    Keanu reeves is a terrible actor !!! Who look like an alien on drugs !!!! Dammit, Now they are going destroy another great anime after dragonball. I hate you hollywood !!!
  • mesarift
    Keanu is fine in roles that don't require him to act. Unfortunately, Spike is full of passion when he gets riled, which I doubt Keanu can pull off. Yeah, it's a bad call. A lot will depend on the director (whose job it is to get crap actors to perform well) and how much $$$ the studio wants to sink into the project. Somehow, I fear this will be aimed at jr high kids instead of a serious fanbase.
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