With the recent information coming to our attention that the upcoming Cowboy Bebop Movie (screenplay) is rumored to need a budget of half a billion dollars, it seemed to get me a little more excited about what is to come.  At the moment it is said that they are editing the existing screenplay to try and cut that budget down.  After all, it would be the most expensive movie of all time, and unless the script really is THAT GOOD then the studios can't afford to risk losing money on this.  In the meantime we'll just have to wait in anticipation to see if Hollywood truly decides to ruin one of the best animes of all time.

Official TV Series Plot Synopsis:

The crew of the spaceship Bebop are a partnership of bounty hunters, called "cowboys", who travel the solar system trying to apprehend bounties. Jet Black is the owner of the Bebop, but has partnered with Spike for his diverse combat skills. Though he is reluctant to admit it, Jet has also come to rely on Spike for companionship in the normally solitary field of bounty hunting.

Most episodes revolve around attempts to bring in a specific bounty. Some of the Bebop's varied targets include small time thugs, gangsters, hackers (known as "net divers" in slang), religious leaders, psychopaths, genetic experiments, mutant creatures and petty thieves. Occasionally the Bebop crews' pasts catch up with them, and the show regularly views the history of the main characters and more general past events, in flashbacks. For example, Spike's past as an assassin for the syndicate appears in a number of episodes.

Unfortunately, as most otaku out there might tell you at the moment, the already confirmed involvement of Keanu Reeves as Spike Spiegel already leaves many second guessing how great the movie will be.  I'll be honest, I didn't see Keanu as owning up to the role when I first heard it, but I think that there's a possibility there, and since we can't change a thing then we might as well suck it up.

The good news is that there hasn't been any casting for the other, of equal value, roles presented in Cowboy Bebop; not even a hint of a rumor.  So where does that leave us?  That's right.  Fantasy Casting.

Me and a couple of friends decided to throw some names out there of who we think would be perfect for the remaining roles:  Jet, Faye, and Ed.  As far as the real casting goes, just know that none of this is speculated, the following are only those we'd love to SEE in the roles, but have no connection with the movie (at this moment) whatsoever.

Jet Black = Ving Rhames

Probably the second most important character on the Bebop, Jet Black is the ship's cook, pilot, navigator, storekeeper, and whatever else you can possibly imagine.  He's the one that picks the jobs, makes the decisions, and keeps the rest of the crew in line (much to his dismay.)  The man's past involvement with the police force give him ample experience to be a Bounty Hunter, but his age usually leaves him overseeing the jobs from afar.  That doesn't mean he isn't capable of kicking some butt, but when it comes to putting lives in danger, he leaves Spike to do the dirty work.

Ving Rhames is perfect for this role for many reasons.  One:  He has the physicality and the look to pull off the perfect Jet no problems.  Two:  He has the age.  Three:  He has the acting chops.

Honestly, after this guys name was thrown into the ring, I couldn't imagine anyone else playing the old, tough, bonsai tree trimming bounty hunter and owner of the Bebop.  

Other possibles:  Michael Chiklis, Terry Crews, & Tommy Lister.

Faye Valentine = Olga Kurylenko

"Gun toting bomb shell with an attitude."  That's how I, and probably everyone else, would describe Faye in a nutshell.  To me, this was a no brainer.  Having Olga step into the role as Faye is the perfect fit.  She has the looks, she's got no problem with the action (see also: Quantum of Solace) and she can pull off the pouty Faye just by looking at you.  Ok, so her accent could possibly get in the way, and we're going more for looks here than we are the acting (I haven't seen too many of her movies to actually vouch for this at the moment.)  Regardless, she's my number one pick to see her wear that famous costume, and I would stand by it no matter what may happen on that screen.

If she doesn't have the reputation enough for you though, we could always go for her double, Mila Kunis.  Definitely one with a slightly good resume, and since she's becoming a big name now, we might as well just give her another role to tack on to her streak.  I could be happy with either.

Ed = Allison Scagliotti

I'll be completely honest.  When it comes to the casting of Ed, I draw a complete blank.  Our adolescent computer genius from Earth is quite possibly a role where the casting needs much attention to detail.  To be frank, you need a young girl who also looks like a young boy, and that is something that needs searching.  Do I think the right talent is out there already working today?  Sure, quite possibly, but I'd have to go with a complete unknown to this, even to me.  This one needs open casting calls across the world, much less America, to find that perfect Ed, and she better be a good one because you are living up to one heck of a character.

If we had to choose someone already in the business today though, then my friend suggest Allison of Warehouse 13 fame.  She is, in essence, a complete unknown to me, considering I've never seen any of her roles.  I'd have to say that she's not perfect for Ed, not in the slightest (she already has boobs...and that may be blunt...but it's very much a quality that we need filled), but I can see where my friend is coming from.  She looks like she could capture the playful, energetic, yet intelligent presence that is Ed.  She does have the hair, and with a little make up I'm sure I could see her in the role.  Unfortunately, she's already 19, and I would much rather see someone younger to take up the mantle.

Spike Spiegel = Adrien Brody

Ok, so I know what you're saying, "Isn't Spike already cast?"  Yes.  Yes he is.  Nevertheless, I couldn't pass up the chance to voice who I really think should take up our lead in this movie, and I don't think this really needs any convincing.  Adrien has the lanky look, the cool/calm/collected attitude, the physique, and the uncontested acting talent to pull off the perfect Spike.  I know it's pointless thinking about it now, but if this were my world, then just know that Adrien would be my top choice, no questions asked.

Since he can't play spike though, then why not give him an equal role on the opposite side, that of Vicious.  I'll go ahead and let Wikipedia do the talking for me:

Living up to his name, "Vicious" is ruthless, bloodthirsty, cunning and ambitious. Considered by some to be Spike's darker half, he is willing to do anything in order to secure a position of power. He is a member of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate in Tharsis, and is often referred to or depicted as a venomous snake (as opposed to Spike who is referred to as a swimming bird and the Syndicate Elders who see themselves as a dragon). His weapon of choice is not a firearm, but a katana which he wields skillfully, even against gun-wielders. He was an infantry rifleman during the Titan War and is shown firing a semi-automatic pistol in a Session 5 flashback, as well as in the Session 26 flashback of him and Spike fighting back-to-back. Early on, Vicious is sometimes seen with a black bird on his shoulder. This bird is eventually used as a distraction and weapon, after having apparently been force-fed explosives.

I almost feel like these two characters are clones of each other.  Having a past where they were actually friends, as well as being from the same syndicate, definitely gives them a brotherly quality.  I figure that any actor that could portray Spike could equally portray Vicious.  We'll just have to wait and see.

As for other common characters (ie: Julia) we never got into detail.  It has been said that the current screenplay introduces every main character from the series, so it's not farfetched to think that we'll be seeing Julia as well.  Though I'll watch the movie regardless of the casting, I still would like to see this succeed, and if it had these actors in their respective roles I would be a very happy camper.  Unfortunately, as most Fantasy Castings go, it will probably never come to fruition, but that's exactly why it's a dream.  Fortunately, as has been proved many times in the past, Hollywood does have it's gems (a few among the rocks) where they do get the pitch perfect casting of characters we never would have thought of.  So regardless of what happens, I will be excited to hear who they think should fit into the roles, and I will be sure to share them with my friends when the time comes.

In the meantime, for those who have seen the show, who do you think should play in the roles?