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Keanu Reeves = Spike Spiegel?
Added by GMan on Dec. 17, 2008
44 comments

Blue suit? Check.
Blue suit? Check.
Like Keanu, Spike too knows kung-fu.
Like Keanu, Spike too knows kung-fu.
I have to admit I have mixed feelings about this.  I love Cowboy Bebop.  I have stated that I wished there were more episodes.  You can sort of say that I could be getting my wish. 

It seems that Keanu Reeves is involved with a Cowboy Bebop movie.  It's his hopes to play Spike Spiegel.  The movie is in the hands of producer Erwin Stoff who has worked on a bunch of Keanu movies already.  He and Keanu are putting together an outline for 20th Century Fox.

Keanu recently spoke to MTV about the project.
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.”

I know there are those that aren't too crazy about Keanu's acting style.  I'm not against him as an actor but if Cowboy Bebop is made into a live action movie, I want it done correctly.  Keanu does the star power that could lead the studio into giving a bigger budget.  Still, I'm a little afraid.

Could Keanu make a good Spike?  More importantly, who will they get to play Faye.  That's what I want to know!

Filed under : Cowboy Bebop , Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine

44 Comments

ethan is online
on Dec. 17, 2008
Shouldn't Spike have a lively attitude?  I just don't see Neo pulling it off.  Why cant we find new  or up and coming actors to play these rolls. 

thescott18
on Dec. 17, 2008
whoa

Niko is online
on Dec. 17, 2008
"Bebop" drug? And I think Reeves tends to be a bit too stoic to be Spike. Given, Spike has his stoic moments, but he's a bit more quick-witted.

GMan
on Dec. 17, 2008
Wonder if this dude will be in it since he was trying to sell the Red Eye.

The effects of the Red Eye drug
The effects of the Red Eye drug

maxwell
on Dec. 17, 2008
this guy should play spike.

i kiss you!
i kiss you!

Resonate
on Dec. 17, 2008
This can not happen
This can not happen

gia
on Dec. 17, 2008
What a terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible idea.

Jewel
on Dec. 17, 2008
oh god..... Hide this from Little Sparrow... he will be very upset indeed...

and yes Gia,...agreed... i love KR but no it wouldnt work at all

orz
on Dec. 17, 2008
damn that's a horrible casting

maxwell
on Dec. 17, 2008
"dude, are we, like, in space?.... RADICAL!"

ilikewhiterice
on Dec. 17, 2008
When I first watched Cowboy Bebop in the old days od Adult Swim, I imagined Spike as Keanu Reeves and honestly can't think of any real life person who could pull the look off as well as I think he could.

alConn
on Dec. 17, 2008
Cowboy Bebop, good.  Reeves as Spike, bad.

More anime please, before live action movie.

But if they do a movie, please get the casting right!  The guy who played hellboy would make a good Jet imo...hrm, we shoudl definantly cast this movie so they don't mess it up.  And I doubt there will be any Ed either.

Hell, Reeves would be a better Vicious than Spike.

Count_Zero
on Dec. 17, 2008
I can think of worse casting choices then Reeves as Spike. I can also think of better. To be fair to Reeves, he was willing to take the time to learn all of his fight choreography in "The Matrix " and sequels (this doesn't make him a martial artist, but it does give him a fair amount of experience it not only stage martial arts, but also doing it and not hurting the stuntmen). Not to mention, he's willing to let the snot be beat out of him on screen, unlike certain film martial artists I could mention. Besides, from all accounts Reeves is an excellent guy to have on set, is easy for everyone to work with, and he does try to put in a good performance - he doesn't always succeed, and, frankly, he's always going to wear the taint of Ted "Theodore" Logan around his neck for the rest of his career, but if I had to choose between Orlando Bloom, Keanu Reeves, and Nicolas Cage in terms of what actor I'd want in this movie, I'd go with Reeves.

Dream casting though, with any realistic illusions of the actors accepting the role aside*, I'd probably go with either Leo DiCaprio or Kenneth "Henry V" "Hamlet"** Branagh for Spike.

*Sci-Fi films tend not to get nominated for the big Oscar awards, such as Best Picture. If they do get nominated, they don't win. Ever.

**Yeah, there wasn't any kung fu, or with the exception of Hamlet, choreographed fighting of any kind in those films, but they are good examples of Branagh's acting (and directing - though we're not picking our director right now) skills.

observer77
on Dec. 17, 2008
I think it he is to stern to be spike...but i haven't seen a decent live action movie before either...

Little_Sparrow
on Dec. 18, 2008

WTF.

1. Reeves cant act he has one freaking facial expression.
2.WTF no just no this can not happen, What are they thinking. Sure the matrix was good but hell no No.
3.Get an unknown to play spike, Someone with a little attitude.
4. GODDAMN IT ALL one of my fave Animes is about to be taken out into the garden and shot like old yellow and then laid to rot....

5. I want to write more but I just can't, Im just going to rock back and forth in my room. Excuse me.


Jewel
on Dec. 18, 2008
Little_Sparrow said:
"

WTF.

1. Reeves cant act he has one freaking facial expression.
2.WTF no just no this cant not happen, What are they thinking. Sure the matrix was good but hell no No.
3.Get an unknown to play spike, Someone with a little attitude.
4. GODDAMN IT ALL one of my fave Animes is about to be taken out into the garden and shot like old yellow and then laid to rot....

5. I want to write more but I just can't, Im just going to rock back and forth in my room. Excuse me.

"
pets him on the hand and hands him his pills

Lemegeton300
on Dec. 18, 2008
hell to the fucking no. yes Reeves can do the kung fu stuff but he is so goddamn wooden. Spike is a great character due to his personality and Reeves could not pull
off spike in a million years. i do not want this movie made if reeves is going to be spike.

Little_Sparrow
on Dec. 18, 2008
Lemegeton300 said:
"hell to the fucking no. yes Reeves can do the kung fu stuff but he is so goddamn wooden. Spike is a great character due to his personality and Reeves could not pull
off spike in a million years. i do not want this movie made if reeves is going to be spike.
"
I know, I mean damn pick the worst actor in the wolrd whats next Brad pitt.

Damnation_Lee
on Dec. 18, 2008
This could go either way. He would either make a great Spike or a terrible one. There's no middle ground here. Personally he's not who I saw playing Spike.

Sonata
on Dec. 18, 2008
I dunno know about this, but it still could better than the DBZ movie.


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