Updates on Live-Action Robotech and Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop (Live-Action) Movie, Robotech (Live-Action) Movie, Sci-Fi Movie News — By Nix on June 24, 2009
So what’s been going on with the live-action versions of “Robotech” and “Cowboy Bebop”? Not a whole lot, as both movies seem to still be in the very early stages of development (i.e. scripts are still being written), but AICN finally has updates for both movies.
On “Robotech”, a new writer has come onboard in Tom Rob Smith, a UK-based writer. He will be contributing to a script that has recently gone through the hands of some notable names, including Lawrence Kasdan and and writing partners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (TV’s Smallville). “Robotech” is being envisioned as as starring vehicle for Tobey Maguire of “Spider-Man” fame. Which reminds me, with Maguire now committed to a fourth movie, it doesn’t look like “Robotech” is going to happen anytime soon, at least if Maguire wants to star as well as produce this thing.
The “Cowboy Bebop” movie, on the other hand, seems to actually be moving forward. Writer Peter Craig has already finished the script, and says this about the original “Cowboy Bebop” crew’s involvement in the live-action movie:
met with all of them in Tokyo in December – at a long meeting with Keanu in the room. I thought there was an immediate rapport between all of us, particularly Shinchiro Watanabe and Keanu. I asked questions, presented scenarios, and they were very specific about their vision for the series, and how it might convert to a live-action film. They’ve continued to be in touch since then; and last month I received a very detailed letter, which I’ve consulted regularly. I’m close to finishing an early draft, and I believe they’ll be very happy with it. Not only does the script stay extremely true to the show — I also know that Erwin and Fox are already discussing production designers that can reproduce the “look” of Cowboy Bebop as closely as possible. They’ll be reading the script soon… so my fingers are crossed.
The live-action “Cowboy Bebop” is set to star Keanu Reeves.
Below: “So what’s the deal? Is this movie getting made or what?”
42 Comments
So robocrap, a shit ripoff of 3 great anime TV series, gets a new writer … What’s the big deal and why anime fans should care ? REAL anime fans should care about the ORIGINAL versions. Plain and simple.
Indeed. Everyone and even robotech fans know robotech (LITTLE r on purpose) is a failure at every level compared to the beautiful MACROSS (CAPITAL letters on purpose). All robotech can do is rip other shows. Have you seen robotech : the shadow crapnicles ? It was like watching a Star Trek episode. Just to tell you how robotech is a dying franchise going nowhere unlike the almyghty MACROSS. An animated movie based on MACORSS Frontier is on its way proving how MACROSS is successful.
In fact, no one but TWO animated movies based on MACORSS Frontier are on they way proving how MACROSS is successful. During this time, robocrap is doing nothing lol. Too hard for harmony gold to create new mechas and original stories I guess. ^^
Why bash robotech? I think it was an insightful crossover, which was the first dose of real life situations in a children show. For its time it was a heck of a lot better than the US competition be it “Transformers, G.I. Joe, Go Bots, or dare I say it HE-MAN. Seriously retract the venom and realize at the time this is how the Japanese animation studios got their start in the U.S. If it were not for shows like this in the 70s and 80s you yourself may have not been introduced to anime. If your rant is truly genuine then go after “Starblazers (Space Battle Ship Yamato)”, “Battle of the planets (Science ninja team Gatchaman)”, and a host of others alike.
Hey Bonehead. You can’t put the cart before the horse. Robotech came first. Where do you think the popularity for the need to do Macross came from. Robotech’s popularity is one of the reasons anime is SO prolific. Quit being an uniformed hater and pay your due respect.
No we do not see Robotech as a failure. we would appreciate Macross Purists to leave well enough alone thank you.
Could not agree more with you Marc. I have watched Macross (japanese version) and robotech (american hack job) (notice the little r) for years now and came to the conclusion that Macross is superior at every level (better continuity, better storyline, better music, better characters, better animation, etc) compared to robotech, a series full plot holes that does not make sense. Considering all those facts, doing a robotech LAM is going to be a waste of time and money since the story will make no sense at all compared to the Macross storyline. That being said, I’m not saying I want a Macross LAM. All I’m saying it’s robotech LAM = EPIC FAIL.
So….Francis…if that’s your real name. (snicker) You stated that the original shows had better animation… Hmm, so you are actually suggesting that the producers of Robotech created all new animation for their show? Hmmm…
Before I open you up like a redneck into a keg at a bad 4th party, I suggest you go back and actually WATCH both shows. Robotech used…pause for dramatic effect….the original animation cell-by-cell that was used in Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern cross, and Gensesis Climber Mesopeada.
And as far as the plot goes, I cannot say for Southern Cross or Genesis Climber, but the plot for both Macross and the first installment of Robotech were near mirror twins.
Tis better to remain silent and been thought a fool….than open ones mouth and remove all doubt.
Francis is right dude. Somehow, I think something happened during the conversion to Robotech. The animation is better in the OSM (Original Source Material). In fact, I have noted several points where there is HUGE quality difference between the OSM and what we saw in Robotech.
dude are you serious? Better animation. realy. better animation? They ARE the same animation idiot.
This is great! Its good to know that they are making positive progress with CB’s script! I hope the movie turns out amazing :)
P.S. I’ll toe-tally get it on DVD!
John, the difference you noted in the animation was what could be referred to as the archival quality. The original Macross was simply kept in better condition as was Robotech. Remember we are talking about nearly 30 year old material. But I still stand by my point that both shows used the same animation. NO new material was “drawn” up for Robotech.
They should make the movie true to the Macross story that way they can release it in Japanese theaters as Macross and in western theaters as Robotech.
Baron, Macross Zero has better animation than Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
It's a normal thing that Macross Zero has better animation than roboturd: the shadow crapnicles since MACROSS is superior at every level compared to roboshit.
How old were you people when you first saw these shows? I was about thirteen years old when I saw the Robotech (Look a capital R) for the first time. I couldn't get enough of it in any form. I was hooked from the start. Regardless of what you may prefer or think, Robotech has a huge following. Hell they could call it Big Fightin Robots, and I will go check it out if its even close to either story line.
Remember kids, opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one. Try not to sound too highbrow about it, after all its only a cartoon anyway.
Real anime fans are fuking retarded. It's very nobel to say “The original is better, and use that as your bases for what anime sucks and what anime rocks!” However your point has absolutely no merit. If more people enjoyed the so called “robocrap”? Than the Macross original, then robotech is better. I have seen both, the reason I think robotech is better, has everything to do with the emotion of watching it as a young child. As an adult, watching macross does not inspire the same feeling. If you feel like, Macross is better; then dont go see a robotech movie.
In every single respect, the Dragon Lance chronicals are better writen than any thing to ever come out of J.R Tolken; but “Lord of the gay hobbit circle jerk”; is the movie of choice. And the Dragon Lance series will never appeal to the mass audiance. So it's a bad idea to make a Dragon Lance movie. And in that respect, there are way more people who were exposed to “Robotech” than “Macross”.
Also, I want to add the fact that the anime community did not even bother considering watching roboturd : the shadow crapnipples since the anime community already knew that the roboshit franchise was a joke since from the start. It's a american hack job and therefore not a REAL and ORIGINAL anime. Also, more and more robotech fans are admitting that roboturd is a dying franchise. No wonder Macross is winning the battle against roboass.
Sorry snipe2 but those bashing ripofftech are so right.
See by yourself :
Youtube results for Macross : 9,970
Youtube resutts for Robotech : 4,150
Google results for Macross : 4,250,000
Google results for Robotech : 2,280,000
The numbers are speaking for themselves : MACROSS is way more popular and famous than roboturd WORLDWIDE since Internet is a GLOBAL network and therefore MACROSS is superior at every level compared to roboshit. Sorry again snipe2, but back up your claims with EVIDENCES and not OPINIONS before making a fool of yourself next time.
your results are not accurate….
If you notice…Macross would have more due to having multiple series. So both of your searches are including those extra series.
This whole debate is rather silly. For the US Robotech is what help to start the anime craze here. True…Harmony Gold where dumb arses for not following nor supporting Robotech like they should have. If they did then it would be just big as Macross (probably).
Not my fault if Macross is WAY MORE POPULAR to create MANY QUALITY SEQUELS unlike robocrap Vashke.
There are also other (albeit failed) Robotech series’ that would be showing in the search results.
However I agree that hating Robotech is stupid. Instead I hate HG for preventing Studio Nue the chance to bring Macross to past and future admirers of the true series.
If i remember correctly isn’t “S.D.F Macross” and Robotech the same thing, just different names?