After years of rumors it is finally official, Variety has reported that Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) has indeed signed up to take on the role of Spike Spiegel on 20th Century Fox's live action film adaptation of the hit anime series, Cowboy Bebop.

Cowboy Bebop follows a team of bounty hunters, (”Cowboys” as their known,) who coast the cosmos aboard their spaceship, Bebop, tracking down the universe’s worst criminals and collecting the bounty on their heads. The plot thickens when the team’s strong but silent leader, Spike (Reeves) begins to run across his old buddies from a nefarious crime syndicate he used to belong to. The only thing standing in the gangsters’ way? Spike, and the crew of the Bebop.

My main problem with this entire idea is Keanu Reeves himself. As much as I hate to admit it, Keanu does have a striking resemblance to Spike Spiegel, however the attitude and personality is just not there. Although Spike is serious in the anime series alot of the time, he is also very humorous and has a "cool" but tough style. Keanu we all know is stiff and has no apparent emotion in his acting. He's kind of like Steven Segal without the martial arts. Film casting calls should really stop worrying about the physical appearance in an actor and remember that the actual acting is more important than looking the part.



My second problem with this entire plan is that it's already looking like a disaster. Most will say I should keep an open mind, however everybody should know that 20th Century Fox is also responsible for that horrendous looking abomination Dragonball Evolutions live action that has already sent the anime community running for the hills with there "Dragonballs" in hand. Let's also not forget about that upcoming Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li film (Balrog shooting a bazooka-*sob*). Seems to me like Hollywood doesn't only have its eye on Horror remakes anymore, but is also targeting the anime universe as well.

As of right now Erwin Stoff is producing. Stoff's resume consists of The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), Street Kings, A Scanner Darkly, and Constantine. Notice anything those films all have in common? Keanu Reeves was leading in every single one of those, and they were all pretty damn terrible. Sounds like two buddies who just plan on cashing in doesn't it? The film is also set to be written by Craig Peters who I can't even find anything about interesting about, so that's not a good sign at all. Still with all that bad news, at least everybody should know that the anime producers and creators will also be involved in the film "heavily"-or so 20th Century Fox says. I only wonder if Fox will even allow them to make the right choices for the fans, and not worry about appealing to 10 year old school kids instead.

In my opinion, I'm positive coming news about this will only continue to get worse. I'm going to try to keep an open mind but honestly, I have NEVER taken Reeves seriously after Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure. Maybe when this is all said and done our parody "Whoa.."'s will finally not be taken as a joke , but instead as the death of what was once a great anime story.