REEVES DREAMS OF LIFE IN KITCHE

REEVES DREAMS OF LIFE IN KITCHENHollywood actor KEANU REEVES is eyeing a new career - he wants to train to be a chef.The Speed star was so impressed with a cookbook by famed French chef Herve This - who uses science to perfect his culinary skills - that he credits it as "changing" his life. Since reading the tome, Reeves has spent his spare time experimenting with recipes and reading Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavour. He says, "I'm dabbling in it and looking at becoming a chef. He is fantastic. I didn't really cook before but this book may be changing my life."

Access Star Sightings: June 13 - 19, 2009

Monday, June 15, in LA: Lovebirds Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy waiting to pick up their bags at LAX… Larry Birkhead running errands at FedEx Kinko in Santa Monica… A scruffy, hat-clad Keanu Reeves flying from Heathrow Airport in London to LAX.

The Latest on Live-Action 'Cowboy Bebop' and 'Robotech' Movies

by Jessica Barnes Jun 25th 2009 // 6:25PM


Filed under: Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Scripts, 20th Century Fox, Comic/Superhero/Geek


It was just last week that anime fans the world over breathed a sigh of relief that Leonardo DiCaprio's live-action Akira was no more. But, that doesn't mean Hollywood has lost its taste for anime, and there are still plenty of other reboots headed our way. So while most of them have stayed in development limbo, two of the more popular titles: Cowboy Bebop and Robotech have started to make new ground, and some of the people involved are starting to talk.


Cowboy Bebop:


When the live action film of the beloved anime was first announced, fans were not thrilled with the idea. Plus, it probably didn't help that Keanu Reeves was taking the role of Spike. But, maybe we shouldn't count out the film yet, because when it comes to the film's screenwriter, there is good news and some bad news. But, let's start with the good news. In an interview with Anime Vice, Craig was asked about whether or not he was familiar with the series, and to his credit, Craig went into full fan-boy mode, telling them about some of his favorite episodes and that both he and Reeves have been meeting with Sunrise studio (the creator of the anime) to make sure that the original 'feel' of the show remains intact. According to Craig, "they [Sunrise] were very specific about their vision for the series, and how it might convert to a live-action film." -- sounds promising, right? Well, the bad news is that Craig has zero experience with sci-fi, and made his name writing about con-men and dysfunctional families. But, I'm going to remain hopeful that with Sunrise watching over the flick, there might be a chance we get something a little better than expected.

"Cowboy Bebop" Is Happening!

Thats right, the Keanu Reeves as Spike, Cowboy Bebop! Anime fans may have felt a bullet was dodged when plans for a live action "Akira" were scrapped, but not so lucky with the much loved "Cowboy Bebop"


There were rumors going around for a while about a live action movie starring Keanu Reeves as main character Spike Spiegle. Well, they aint rumore no more! I have never watched Cowboy Bebop but i have heard great things about it, and also some fans outrage that a movie was even being made, much less with Reeves in the lead. But its not all bad news...


Writer Peter Craig is a huge fan of the original animated series, and he spent some quality time with the original studio, Sunrise, talking about their take on the show and how it might convert to live-action. He mentions that he's a fan of many of the minor characters from the original episodes, namechecks a lot of story elements he loves:


"I've probably watched every episode at least three or four times now - and I really adore what a complete world Watanabe and Nobumoto created. I was also extremely drawn to all of the characters' backstories: Faye's amnesia after being taken out of cryogenic freeze, and the con played on her; Spike's history in the Syndicate and with Julia; Jet's days as a cop on Ganymede, and his run-in with Udai Taxim."


Lets hope for the best!

‘Cowboy Bebop’ Screenwriter Says Current Draft Is ‘Extremely True’ To Anime

Published by Caleb Goellner on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:01 am.The “Cowboy Bebop” camp has been awfully quiet lately. Following initial reports that Fox had acquired the multi-faceted space western for a live-action release starring Keanu Reeves as Spike Spiegel, new details have been sparse. Fortunately for fans, screenwriter Peter Craig broke Internet silence this week, reassuring Beboppers that the project is progressing  and will be faithful to the source material.


In an interview with Anime Vice, Craig explained his latest “Bebop” script is nearly complete and better than ever thanks to his anime immersion.


Though Craig admitted his “Bebop” background had humble beginnings as a casual viewer of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim program block, he’s now a full-fledged fan, having watched and re-watched the entire original Japanese anime with Otaku-level admiration.


“Every character was new and interesting, and I felt like I was looking at an encyclopedia of some imaginary world,” Craig said of his first impression of the series.


Collaborating with the series’ creators hasn’t hurt the process either. After meeting with the anime producers of “Bebop” alongside Reeves at Sunrise Inc. in December, Craig went home with a highly detailed letter, which he said he’s referenced closely as he put the finishing touches on his latest script.


“I’m close to finishing an early draft, and I believe [Sunrise will] be very happy with it,” Craig said, “Not only does the script stay extremely true to the show  I also know that [producer Erwin Stoff] and Fox are already discussing production designers that can reproduce the ‘look’ of ‘Cowboy Bebop’ as closely as possible. They’ll be reading the script soon… so my fingers are crossed.”


Although “Bebop” seems to be moving forward, a lot still has to happen for the film to manifest. But if the involvement of the original anime production team, Keanu’s kung fu skills and Craig’s devotion to the series’ source material are any indication, fans have plenty of reason to cross their fingers with Craig in the meantime.


Can Craig, Keanu and company pull off a live action “Cowboy Bebop?” Does Craig’s enthusiasm for the “Bebop” source material merit reassurance for fans concerned about westernizing a unique anime property? Speak your mind in the comments.

Updates on Live-Action Robotech and Cowboy Bebop

So what’s been going on with the live-action versions of “Robotech” and “Cowboy Bebop”? Not a whole lot, as both movies seem to still be in the very early stages of development (i.e. scripts are still being written), but AICN finally has updates for both movies.


On “Robotech”, a new writer has come onboard in Tom Rob Smith, a UK-based writer. He will be contributing to a script that has recently gone through the hands of some notable names, including Lawrence Kasdan and and writing partners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (TV’s Smallville). “Robotech” is being envisioned as as starring vehicle for Tobey Maguire of “Spider-Man” fame. Which reminds me, with Maguire now committed to a fourth movie, it doesn’t look like “Robotech” is going to happen anytime soon, at least if Maguire wants to star as well as produce this thing.


The “Cowboy Bebop” movie, on the other hand, seems to actually be moving forward. Writer Peter Craig has already finished the script, and says this about the original “Cowboy Bebop” crew’s involvement in the live-action movie:

met with all of them in Tokyo in December  at a long meeting with Keanu in the room. I thought there was an immediate rapport between all of us, particularly Shinchiro Watanabe and Keanu. I asked questions, presented scenarios, and they were very specific about their vision for the series, and how it might convert to a live-action film. They’ve continued to be in touch since then; and last month I received a very detailed letter, which I’ve consulted regularly. I’m close to finishing an early draft, and I believe they’ll be very happy with it. Not only does the script stay extremely true to the show  I also know that Erwin and Fox are already discussing production designers that can reproduce the “look” of Cowboy Bebop as closely as possible. They’ll be reading the script soon… so my fingers are crossed.

Delaware Film Co. in talks to shoot Keanu Reeves film in the First State

Del. Film Co.
Thu Jun 18, 2009, 10:33 AM EDT



The Delaware Film Company is in talks to shoot the next Keanu Reeves film in Delaware.


In a press release Tuesday, Brian Sowards, Vice President of the Delaware Film Company, said he was called by Geoffrey Taylor, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Firstar Films after reading about the Delaware Film Initiative.


Geoffrey L. Taylor's practice as General Counsel for two Hollywood-based production companies involves options and development of new feature films, equity placement, production financing, co-development transactions as well as structuring print and advertising funds to market feature films.


"We have been looking at using the subsidy from New York's 30 percent film tax credit as collateral for a loan. However, Delaware's proposed loan program provides us with a straight-forward and less expensive financing solution," Taylor said. "Delaware's incentive program can shift film production and result in spending millions of dollars in Delaware."


Scott Fischer is President of Firstar Films and has produced such films as "The Bank Job" and "The Forbidden Kingdom."


"Having been involved in financing a number of feature films over the years, I'm impressed with the proposed program in Delaware," Fischer said. "It would solve a financing challenge experienced by many A-list projects here in Hollywood, and that may make it the smartest incentive program in the country. The Initiative immediately attracted our attention for our next film project with Keanu Reeves, currently slated to be shot in Buffalo, New York."


Based on the size of the production, this project would need to hire at least 150 people - from electricians and carpenters to production managers and equipment handlers.


Additionally, the production would require the services of a variety of caterers, transportation providers, security and local hotels.


"The industry is at our door step, " Sowards said, "All we have to do is let them know we want their business." Sowards said. Those interested in supporting the bill can sign an online petition at bringfilmtodelaware.com


For a comprehensive look at the Delaware Film Initiative, go to www.BringFilmToDelaware.com.