"Cowboy Bebop" is one of the most iconic anime TV series in USA. Although it's not the first anime to hit the US shores, it has been part of the anime discussions for decades as it practically introduced how anime could capture audience in west with its inventive storyline and cool jazz music.
Because of its massive popularity, talks have been going on for years for Hollywood adaptation. Unfortunately, adapting a Japanese film much less an anime is not yet a popular option in Hollywood and the production costs for the film has been reportedly massive.
According to Lawyer Herald, "a couple of years ago, the film was believed to need 500 million dollars to make. With the CG work that it will require, the number could go higher which Hollywood is not yet ready to gamble on. Although the story of Cowboy Bebop has a huge following, it still does not guarantee the story's fate once it is debuted into the silver screen."
Keanu Reeves was attached to the film but the status of his commitment is currently unknown especially since he indicated that he's too old for the role, according to Movie News Guide.
But all is not lost for the iconic anime TV series. Scoop reported that the live action adaptation of "Ghost in the Shell" is currently shooting in New Zealand. If the Hollywood adaptation of the anime is a box office hit, "Cowboy Bebop" might be next in line.
According Movie Pilot, "it's possible that if Ghost in the Shell does well, this will open the floodgates for all the anime live action adaptations that have been stuck in a similar situation to actually get made." It might be years before fans get to see a Hollywood treatment of Spike's story as a bounty hunter, but Scarlett Johansson's upcoming film could help boost its chances.
