Cowboy Bebop with John Cho should der next big sci-fi hit on Netflix will. However, the adaptation of the cult anime was canceled after just three weeks. In an interview, the director of the original, Shinichirô Watanabe, has now shared his perspective on the remake with the world.
“It definitely wasn’t cowboy bebop”
Japanese director Shinichirō Watanabe directed 1998’s Cowboy Bebop, which has since become one of the revered treasures of the anime canon. He had a credit on the Netflix live-action remake, was creative but not involved. In an interview with Forbes he was asked:
For the Netflix live action adaptation, they sent me a video to check. It started with a scene in a casino, which made it very difficult for me to continue watching. I stopped there so I only saw the opening.
Why did the director quit?
This was definitely not cowboy bebop and I understood in that moment that if I wasn’t involved, it wouldn’t be cowboy bebop. I thought maybe I should have done it. Although the original anime has somehow gone up in value now.
In the same interview, however, the artist also explains that he does not like to repeat himself, which is why one Participation in a remake his series of successes would probably have been improbable anyway.
In any case, the failure of the series hope was a major setback for Netflix. Cowboy Bebop initially landed in the global top 10 with strong numbers, but a slump in viewership was then observed. That’s why the dismissal followed immediately.
What is the Netflix series about?
In the not-too-distant future, a ring system built by the Gate Company will allow people to travel through hyperspace and discover new worlds to live in. But a defect causes the system to explode, turning a piece of the moon into a dangerous asteroid belt orbiting the earth.
Meteorite impacts make the earth’s surface uninhabitable and part of humanity is scattered in the solar system. Over 50 years later, bounty hunter Spike Spiegel travels through space on his ship Bebop, always looking for new assignments. He is joined on his journey by new crew members such as Jet Black, Faye Valentine, intelligent corgi Ein and hacker Radical Ed.
Podcast Tip: Why Is Netflix Canceling My Favorite Shows?
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In the podcast, we look for explanations for the wave of cancellations at Netflix that has hit shows like Warrior Nun, 1899 and First Kill. Are they really not successful enough? And could Netflix do anything to lessen fan anger and sadness?