‘Cowboy Bebop’ Steps Into The Real World
A live-action version of the anime series “Cowboy Bebop” has been in and out of development for years, but Netflix recently announced that it is actually going to make it a reality finally.
The streaming service announced last fall that it would be producing a live-action “Cowboy Bebop” series, and today, it revealed some key casting. “Star Trek” star John Cho will play the lead character Spike Siegel, a bounty hunter who travels the solar system with his partner Jet Black (to be played by Mustafa Shakir). In addition, Daniella Pineda will play bounty hunter Faye Valentine, while Alex Hassell has been cast as Spike’s nemesis, Vicious.
The casting of an actor of Asian descent brought a sigh of relief among people who’ve called for more diversity in casting. Many were afraid that Netflix would do what Hollywood has been accused of doing for decades — whitewashing Asian characters with white actors. Some prime examples include Scarlett Johansson as the Japanese protagonist in the animé “Ghost in the Shell,” and Tilda Swinton as the Tibetan mystic in “Doctor Strange.”
Christopher Yost (who co-wrote the last two “Thor” movies) will write the first episode of the 10-episode series. Alex Garcia Lopez will direct and Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg will serve as showrunners/executive producers. Original “Cowboy Bebop” director Shinichirō Watanabe will also be involved as a consultant.
By: Maytinee Kramer
