Sometimes, every once in a while, Hollywood bucks their usual trend of “doing whatever the fuck they want” which usually ends up in utter chaos, and instead opts to do the right and good and obvious thing. Case in point: Netflix, in inexplicably handling a live-action Cowboy Bebop remake, has done the Right Damned Thing™ by casting John Cho in the lead role.
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Cho heads up today’s initial casting announcement, with Netflix officials confirming he will be playing the lead role of beloved wise-cracking bounty hunter Spike Spiegel, in a move that’s about as close to perfect as you could ever possibly get.
But aside from Cho, Luke Cage‘s own Bushmaster Mustafa Shakir has been slotted into the keenly anticipated series as Jet Black, an “honest cop” and Spike’s foil.
Elsewhere, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom star Daniella Pineda has scored the role of Faye Valentine, while Alex Hassell will step into the role of the series’ chief villain, Vicious.
The character of Radical Ed has been confirmed to feature in the series, but casting for that role remains on-going.
The 10-episode live-action version of the genre-defining and hugely influential anime/manga classic has been in the works for quite some time, with Netflix bringing original series creator Shinichiro Watanabe on as a chief consultant.
Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok writer Christopher Yost has been tapped to pen the series’ first episode, which should give long-time fans some cause for hope.
No timeline for a release is available at this stage, but if this is the way they’re leading off with things then… who knows, maybe it might actually kick significant ass.
Until then? Three, two, one, let’s jam.
