Keanu Reeves Eager To Do ‘Something Good’ With ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Movie

19 Dec 2008

Source: MTV

It’s no secret that Keanu Reeves loves anime – a main influence on the “Matrix” series. It’s also common knowledge that the actor holds a place in his heart for sci-fi, as evidenced by films like “A Scanner Darkly,” “Johnny Mnemonic” and the currently-tops-in-theaters “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” It’s no surprise, then, that Reeves’ latest passion project revolves around his desire to make a live-action “Cowboy Bebop.”

“Oh yeah, cool,” he said when I asked him about the flick recently. “We’re trying to do that.”

As fans of the Japanese classic TV series know, “Bebop” follows a crew of bounty hunters traveling around the universe in the year 2071. Reeves hopes to play Spike Spiegel, one of these futuristic cowboys forced to pick up the slack after a population crash and hyperspace gateways have left law-enforcement unable to capture many of the galaxy’s most ruthless criminals.

“It’s got a Western quality, a Western film noir aspect to it,” Reeves said of why he’s such a big fan of Shinichiro Watanabe and Keiko Nobumoto’s groundbreaking series. “It’s got so much style to it, and that’s part of its appeal. That kind of Old West, bordertown, low-tech science fiction aspect.”

Take a look at this clip and you’ll get an idea of why Reeves is not only a perfect-looking fit for Spiegel, but also why he thinks the most important person on the set will be the one trying to translate the series’ unique look. “I think that would be a production designer’s dream,” Reeves said of the flick. “I think you just need a good production designer.”

The flick is currently being put together by Erwin Stoff, a producer who has spent the last two decades working almost exclusively on Reeves projects, and recently set the film up at 20th Century Fox. “We’ve got the rights, we’ve got a writer,” Keanu explained. “He’s putting together a scene outline.”

Reeves revealed that this outline for the flick is currently focusing on the origins of the fictional “Bebop” drug developed by the military, which provides its users with a brief surge of superhuman reflexes and awareness. “We’re taking the Red Eye [story], the beginning part of the series,” he explained, “and then we’ll deal with the end of the series. We’re trying to figure out [the time frame]. We’re looking at the story right now.”

Since the beloved 26-episode show (as well as the feature film) didn’t necessarily maintain a linear style of storytelling, Reeves said that somewhere between the Red Eye origins and the “Bebop” conclusion, they’ll be picking out various highlights for their own use.

“Yeah, it’s so episodic and so disconnected. We’re trying to figure out what pieces to put together to tell one story,” he explained. “Because it’s such a short form, to make a 2 hour version [will be tough]. And it’s got so much of an origin-story obligation; you’ve got to get people up to speed, but you don’t want to do much of that. There are a lot of things to take into consideration, but we think we can do something good.”

With devoted fans all over the world, and a complex universe to depict on screen, Reeves knows that it won’t be easy to make a “Cowboy Bebop” movie. “Yeah,” he grinned when reminded of these facts. “But that’s why you want to do it.”

27 Responses to Keanu Reeves Eager To Do ‘Something Good’ With ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Movie

fluffkomix

December 23rd, 2008 at 10:26 pm

does it bother you that the only way Keanu Reeves can act is acting without emotion?

Shirley Shomron

December 24th, 2008 at 4:50 pm

Hello
I am a journalist in a newspaper for people with needs and I would like to interview Keanu Reeves. And I becaming to write a book of all my interviews and song that I wrote and I have a blog on tapuz can you give me an okay to put this on my blog and on my book? can you answer by e mail?
Shirley shomron – nona1968@walla.com
Interview with
I am giving an interview with Keanu Reeves an actor

I will open with a personal question from where came your parents and from where came your name?
,
how long does you work as
job?>

do you satisfied from your
>
>?what do you like from this job
>
what difficulty are in this job?
>
> what do you like about this job, and what you don’t like
>
> ?what in this job effect on your personal life

> what psychological sours you need in this job

> what is success for you
>
If you live in another history when do you like to live?

what are your dreams for the future?>

thank you for giving me from your time.
>
> Shirley Shomron
nona1968@walla.com

Jerusalem
Israel

Leana

December 28th, 2008 at 7:32 am

OMG Keanu as SPIKE!!!!!! O.O That would be AWESOME………………………………………….a LIVE ACTION of Cowboy Bebop is a dream come true to me! ^__^

Leslie K

January 2nd, 2009 at 2:48 am

He would be perfect.

sweet eyes

January 7th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

That it’s was interesting movie and will for him also, I wish I will see that movie so sure, Thank you sir. From Sweet eyes.

January 7th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

” Believe in yourself..The only difference between the possible and the impossible is Attitude..Never Forget..How awesome you are..believe in yourself..Use the power to make your life..Whatever you want it to be” I think you will love this movie you do Mr.Reeves and sure you can do it very good also..believe I’m BELIEVE ON YOU..Thank you for to read my small email sir. From Sweet eyes.

lauren

January 10th, 2009 at 4:34 am

Keanu loving anime is just another reason, why we have to get married. He would be PEREFCT as spike. But I wonder what he’ll do to his hair?lol

February 8th, 2009 at 4:40 am

“Ways to take care your soul..Look for your guardian angel..Sing a song..Take long walks..and let your instincts lead the way..Wish on falling stars..Listen to beautiful music..Call an old friend..Make a new one..Indulge in simple pleasures on the heart..Have a Wonderful Day and Happy Valentine’s Day Mr. Reeves ” From sweet eyes, Bangkok, Thailand..

Praise HAllel

February 9th, 2009 at 7:45 am

That would be another great challenge for K.C. Reeves. You can do it Sir Reeves! I believe you can!

March 3rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm

” Believe in yourself..The only difference between the possible and the impossible is Attitude..never forget..How awesome you are..Believe in yourself..Use the power to make your life..whatever you want it to be ” Dear Keanu..I know you can do anything you want to do..and Sure..you know yourself..you have Big power in your Heart..just Believe and do it..my dear..From Sweeteyes at Thailand.

March 3rd, 2009 at 12:59 pm

Dear Keanu..Do you know? you and me we’re have 8 same things, I just knew..Even if we’re stay difference Country..But 8 things we’re had same. and I believe it’s NOT ACCIDENTALLY..because it’s hard to be like that with a lot of persons,might you hard to believe but it’s be dear Keanu..and I believe you can do any hard thing by yourself like me did before..might it’s so hard and hurt but we’re can do and walk away from it..just believe dear..

jarold

March 5th, 2009 at 9:39 am

Hey! Whats a BEBOP DRUG? I dont know but i think the guy only watched the first episode of the series… Man, the red eye epi? Are these guys serious? Thats not even an important part in CB… Focus more on more seroius parts like Ballad of Fallen Angels!!! Keanu, man!! im not trying to be mean but i think youre just bluffing when u said ur a fan… Stop telling people that u know bebop and just concentrate on watching it first.. im a both a fan of u and bebop… so don’t mess up this one like dragon ball…

and plz… another matrix film HAHAHA

March 5th, 2009 at 9:41 am

BALLAD OF FALLEN ANGELS EPISODE 5… unless youre wonderin wat im talkin bout at my 1st comment…

March 10th, 2009 at 11:40 am

“Cowboy” it’s like me ” Cowgirl” Because I’m be Country girl and farmer girl as well, I understand about Country Life How is it..might will like me now a days.Oh! I wish one day I can play some movie with you Mr.Reeves and maybe it’s will be first movie for my life as well. Thank you so much for you to read my small email..might it’s not important person like another peoples, but I’m feeling very glad when you read my email from farmer girl like me Mr. Reeves. Thank you again sir.From sweet eyes at Thailand.

March 10th, 2009 at 11:56 am

” Believe in yourself..The only difference between the possible and the impossible is ATTITUDE..Never forget How awesome you are..Believe in yourself..Use the power to make your life..Whatever you want it to be..” Yes,I very love my poem I had to wrote it in my heart,I have to read it every day/night and sure..I Believe in myself when I’m will do anythings I want to do, and it’s has been good thing for me all the time..because I Believe in my Power..so the you dear Reeves..you can do and believe in yourself like me did as well and then you will know..You always have Big Power in your heart..like me.Wish one day we’re can contact and to learn about it together..just my wish because I don’t know How long..you will come to read my small email..but still wish for…Thank you very much Mr. Reeves.From sweet eyes at Thailand.

priscila

June 18th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

Muito legal !

Esse projeto virá para o Brasil?
Desejo sucesso, caro colega de profissão.
Projetos não são facíl, mais temos que sempre percistir em prol da cultura, lazer para as pessoas.
Boa sorte!

Um grande abraço
Priscila

( Brazil )

SARA

June 29th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

I can”t say any thing ,however,the first time i see you, was in my dreams
Afew days later, i watched the matrix and surprised
when i see you, i can”t believe my eyes
You are already.
I hope keanu read my words
If you want, we will be friends
thank you for giving me from your time.

June 30th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

I can”t lie to you
I don”t speek E well but i promise you that trying
Realy i want speak with you Keanu
Good luck.

June 30th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

I can”t lie to you
I don”t speek E well but i promise you to try
Realy i want speak with you Keanu
Good luck.