So the inevitable has happened, as we mentioned previously, Keanu Reeves will assume the role of Spike Spiegel in a live-action Cowboy Bebop. Although this is a Sci-Fi mission for Fox, there are some signs of intelligent life.

From the Japanese anime, Reeves will star as Spike, hurling through space aboard the "Bebop." The time is 2071 and the story follows a group of bounty hunters through their numerous adventures. No official details on which episode they'll adapt from, but Reeves has said the plot would focus on a fictional drug "Red Eye." A writer by the name of Peter Craig has the difficult task of writing the screenplay, but he will have some good help.

Sunrise Inc., producers of the anime series, will be involved during development. Sunrise's Kenji Uchida and series director Shinichiro Watanabe will assume the role of associate producers along with Keiko Nobumoto, the series composition writer. Anime producer, Masahiko Minami, will fill the role of production consultant. If this does go bad, Reeves can't take all the credit.

Erwin Stoff (The Day the Earth Stood Still, Street Kings, A Scanner Darkly, Constantine)--AKA, Keanu's personal financier--will produce through his 3 Arts Entertainment. The unknown, Joshua Long, has been named exec. producer.

Casting for Jet Black, Ein, Faye, Edward, Vicious, or Julia has yet to be released, in what capacity these characters will be involved is still in question. Topping Reeves' acting chops for these roles, though not terribly difficult, could give this the added boost it needs.

Even though Fox is notorious for making source material "better" for mainstream audiences, as exemplified by the upcoming Dragonball Evolution, Sunrise's involvement could make this a worthy adaption.

How do you think this will go?