Messing With Perfection
Netflix released production stills for the upcoming Cowboy Bebop live-action remake. Is it possible to mess with perfection and succeed?
Cowboy Bebop is one of the best anime series of all time. This isn’t my opinion; it’s an objective fact—the 26-episode series from 1998 clocks in at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The show, created by Shinichirō Watanabe, mixes space travel, bounty hunting, noir, and exceptional jazz into a bundle of perfection.
Three years ago, Netflix announced a live-action remake of classic series. Today, they released the first production stills. I’m cautiously optimistic Netflix pulls off the impossible: remaking perfection.
Still, if you’re a fan of Cowboy Bebop, there are many questions these images raise: What does the Bebop look like? How about the Swordfish II? Where is Ed?!
Sure, it’s completely unfair to draw conclusions from a handful of marketing images. But, this is the internet, and I’m sure Netflix wants nothing more than people talking about the show.
There are few properties of this magnitude thus far left untouched. While I’m sure there are complicated rights and casting issues involved, I’d like to think the reason many iconic properties aren’t remade comes down to respect. Plus, I suspect no one wants to be the person who ruins a beloved series.
The team behind Cowboy Bebop at Netflix is impressive; Shinichirō Watanabe is consulting, and Yoko Kanno is returning to score the show. These steps bode well for potential success. Will it pay off? I guess we’ll find out on November 19.