The live-action adaptation of the Cowboy Bebop series is a real sea serpent. Announcements have indeed followed one another for more than 10 years. Some, serious, others, more vague, arousing expectation and disappointment among fans.Yet the craze remains intact. Indeed, Shinichiro Watanabe's anime became cult as soon as it aired in 1998. The reasons for this fascination are threefold. First, the graphic richness, the irreproachable animation and the colorful universe built by Watanabe. Then, the mix of genres where western, space opera and noir thriller rub shoulders. Finally, the mythical soundtrack composed by the immense and always inspired Yoko Kano. It is finally the Netflix platform that announces in 2019 to have launched the production of a version "with actors" whose shooting ended in March 2021. 
Cowboy Bebop to make people forget Death Note ?
The SVOD platform knows that it is attacking a monument of animation and that it will be expected at the turns. Indeed, the public remembers his very clumsy adaptation of Death Note. He will also remember the forgettable adaptations by Hollywood studios of Dragon Ball, Ghost in the Shell or Gunnm. First note of hope, the presence at the helm of the music of the brilliant Yoko Kano. In terms of writing, it is Christopher Yost, capable of the worst (Thor II The dark world) as well as the best (Thor Ragnarok, The Mandalorian), who was hired. Let's bet that his work on the third installment of the adventures of the Norse god and on the space western version starwars allows him to capture the tone of the anime. In terms of directing, André Nemec and Jeff Pinker, writers and producers on the two films Ninja Turtles, on Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, on Venom or on the reboot of Jumanji, have been recruited. A C.V. very eclectic from which it is difficult to draw lessons. Only certainty, Cowboy Bebop will be their first realization. Surprisingly, Shinichiro Watanabe's name is not associated with the project.
No big stars and what budget?
Casting is a pitfall on which previous projects have failed. Netflix has chosen to bet on actors little known to the public, apart from John Cho in the role of Spike Spiegel. A bold decision. It should be remembered that Keanu Reeves was approached to play the same role in the project of the defunct 20th Century Fox, about ten years ago. The studio also focuses on ethnic diversity, not fully respecting the work, but sticking to the cosmopolitan spirit of the stories. In reality, no matter how talented the actors are, the real challenge will be visual. It should be remembered that 20th Century Fox, in its time, abandoned the project because of the budget. Indeed, Cowboy Bebop transports us in 2071 to the four corners of the largely colonized solar system. To make the immersion, the special effects, the sets, the costumes credible will have to be up to par. For comparison, for the series The Mandalorian, Disney spent $ 15 million per episode or 100 million per season. Important but necessary sums that contributed to the success of the work. However, on this point, Netflix has not communicated. It is therefore with impatience and concern that we will wait for the release on November 19 of the 10 episodes. The shooting shots, unveiled by Netflix, do not give much indication of the technical and narrative quality of the series. 
