Cowboy Bebop Live Action

I don't know whether I want to believe this or not, but IFMagazine.com reports that film producer Erwin Stoff (The Matrix, A Scanner Darkly) is developing a live-action adaptation of Sunrise's Cowboy Bebop multi-genre action anime series for Fox. Stoff told the website that the project is "in the really early stages" since the parties "just signed it the other day."

Shinichiro Watanabe's Cowboy Bebop really needs no introduction but the story follows a group of bounty hunters traveling around the solar system in search for their next job and to find some decent food to eat. Stoff promised "a real degree of faithfulness," and added, “When I met with them in Japan, one of the first things that I brought up was the experience that we had on A Scanner Darkly, and how hard we worked to remain faithful to Philip K. Dick, and that was our big concern here.”

According to ANN, the starring cast will include Justin Chatwin as Spike,Carlos Mencia as Jet, Cameron Diaz as Faye, Elisha Dushku as Ed, and features Andy Serkis as Ein, using amazing motion capture technology.

I really really don't know what to say, except that I'd rather it wasn't true. While there may be the off chance that a live action transition would be spectacular, there's too much risk. The degree of coolness and individual story for each character and hell, music alone, are just some factors that fans won't want messed with. I guess only time will tell if it'll turn out to be a la "Evangelion" live action situation or a la "Speed Racer."

As a side note, from Stoff's track record, may I just add...Not Keanu Reeves as Spike, please!