Cowboy Bebop: Tengoku no tobira

[Calhoun07]

Here is information about this movie from IMDB.com:

For those who are not aware, Knockin' on Heaven's Door takes place during the latter part of the series' timeline. This movie is exactly what every animated movie should be. It has all of the elements that made the tv series so popular including some of the best hand to hand fight scenes to ever grace any screen. The movie is supposed to feel like an extended episode of the television series but with a higher production value and it excels at doing so. Any fan of Bebop will absolutely fall in love with this film and even those who have a limited knowledge of the series will be able sit down and enjoy it.

It isnt licensed for American release yet, but a company will surely pick it up for DVD release in the coming months. If there ever was a better way to close the book on Cowboy Bebop than episode 26, then this is it.





I CAN'T WAIT! I am really anticipating this release!

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

But...it's worth noting that this takes place before episode 24. So don't be expecting something that occurs after episode 26.

I've heard that a couple of companies, including Miramax, were interested in this movie. It might have a short theatrical run.

[Calhoun07]

It would be rather hard to do something after episode 26! I don't want to reveal anything that might be a spoiler for the first time viewers of this great series on CN!

[The Mad Hatter]

Yup, "The Real Folk Blues" storyarc pretty much closed the door on that series.

But a Cowboy Bebop movie! Woo hoo!

[Lachesis]

Mmm. . . I think Columbia has the theatrical rights.

I'm not so sure a theatrical run will actually happen, since a lot of the plot is supposed to center on bioterrorism. And with the anthrax scare going around. . .

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by Lachesis
Mmm. . . I think Columbia has the theatrical rights.

I'm not so sure a theatrical run will actually happen, since a lot of the plot is supposed to center on bioterrorism. And with the anthrax scare going around. . .

The movie probably won't even come around until next year (and late next year, that is), and that's if already if it's already picked up.

People won't be running away from exploding buildings and bioterrorism as a means of entertainment forever. I have a feeling that if they wanted to, they would release CB in a limited release, like Jin-Roh (which also featured terrorists...and still ran in theatres after 09/11) or Vampire Hunter D. Maybe more theatres if it's from Columbia.

My guess is that it will end up straight on DVD, though.

[Vigo Sprax]

I really hope there is no theatrical release, I know it will never come here and it merely delays the DVD release.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by Vigo Sprax
I really hope there is no theatrical release, I know it will never come here and it merely delays the DVD release.

My opinion is that they should just air it on CN one day on prime-time--say, 9:00pm or 10:00pm or something, and then release it on DVD.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Apparently, there are rumours going around that the movie has now been picked up, and NOT by Bandai.






That's not exactly good news.





For one thing, they may choose not to use the original dub actors, who were, in my opinion, very good for their parts. I'd hate to see the movie dubbed by "Hollywood" stars. Brad Pitt dubs Spike and Kim Basinger dubs Faye? Uhhhh...no thanks.

[The Polisher]

You are all very correct in your assumptions about how much the movie will rock, for I have seen it. And yes, the plot does center around bioterrorism, and will probably never be in theaters in the US. But unless CN would run it in muti-part format, it probably won't run on AS, because it's just shy of two hours long. I anticipate the american release greatly.

(The music rocks as well, but you already knew that^_^)

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by The Polisher
You are all very correct in your assumptions about how much the movie will rock, for I have seen it. And yes, the plot does center around bioterrorism, and will probably never be in theaters in the US. But unless CN would run it in muti-part format, it probably won't run on AS, because it's just shy of two hours long. I anticipate the american release greatly.

(The music rocks as well, but you already knew that^_^)

Never say never. By the time all the red tape is out of the way, and that's assuming it is picked up by a major studio, it will be at the very least this coming summer (6 months) before it is released in theatres (that's IF it is).

By that time, the American public couldn't give a crud about bioterrorism, even if anthrax or whatever new biogizmo is still in the news then. Americans are amazingly resilient when it comes to getting over something horrible and later making it into entertainment.

And hey, isn't Collateral Damage gonna be released in a few months?

Like I said--resilient.

As for airing it on AS or even a special prime time period on CN...it is do-able. All it takes is one "special" AS weekend to run the full movie from 10:00pm-12:30pm. Heck, or maybe just one "special" showing on any given night, period.

[The Polisher]

Originally posted by Leaping Larry Jojo

Never say never. By the time all the red tape is out of the way, and that's assuming it is picked up by a major studio, it will be at the very least this coming summer (6 months) before it is released in theatres (that's IF it is).

I agree with you, Larry, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. How many anime movies actually made it to theaters in the US? Only a handful. The CB movie would be appreciated, but I believe highly unlikely, even if/when the whole bioterrorism thing dies down. (the whole thing doesn't bother me much, but then again I am not the American public in general.)

[The Mad Hatter]

Hey, anything's possible... who could have predicted that Cowboy Bebop would run on a nationwide US network at all?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Actually, I had expected AS to get more mainstream publicity, and that would have helped the show a bit.

If it were to make into theatres, I'd expect a limited release, like Jin Roh or Metropolis.

[Josh]

Is there a website that has info about this, or anything like that?

[Fata Morgana]

You can always check my website, Josh. ;) I've been keeping a pretty close eye on what's going on with the movie so far, and this is what I know:

Both Columbia/Tristar and Bandai are pursuing the rights to the movie; as far as I know, there aren't any other bidders on the scene. Columbia/Tristar has stated outright that they are "aggressively pursing" the rights to it, which suggests a theatrical release. If Bandai gets the rights, however, a theartrical release is doubtful. As soon as news gets out who has won the rights, You can be sure that I'll put it up on my website.

Fata Morgana

[Evil Dr. Reef]

or you could always try http://www.cowboybebop.com You have to download Japanese text support, and a translator, but they have good updatees, and cool stuff.

[Fata Morgana]

Frankly, the official Cowboy Bebop website hasn't updated in months, and so far they haven't printed _anything_ about how the movie will be presented in the USA -- not in the English section or the Japanese section. Now, the Japanese section does mention the R2 DVD. . . but I'm pretty sure that that one doesn't have an English track or English subtitles, so it doesn't do a lot of good. ^_^; The best thing to do at the official CB website is read the Ural Terpschore story. If you want news, go elsewhere.

Fata Morgana

[randomguy]

Animeondvd.com said that Colombia/Tristar had the first bidding rights by default, and since they're actively pursuing them, I imagine they will end up with the rights, which means a likely theatrical release (like Metropolis). Even though Cowboy Bebop isn't a REAL popular title, the way I see, being broadcast on TV at all gives it a much bigger chance than any other anime movie out there. I think it's a better candidate for release than some random action flick or something. Besides, if Colombia was smart, they'd air the movie's commercials during Adult Swim. That would get a lot of customers right there.

[Sheamon]

I've seen the movie. Its awesome. Not as good as some of the best episodes, but one of the better anime movies I've seen.

Anyway, all I have to say is pray that Sony/Mirimax/whoever doesn't get it and one of the anime distributers like Bandai/Pioneer, etc... does. With the insane censorship atmosphere after 9/11, the movie's virtually guaranteed not to have a theatrical release, which is pretty much the only reason you'd want one of the big companies to get it (although Bandai has been able to get Escaflowne in the theaters). If one of the big companies gets it, in all likelyhood you'll be seeing names like Matt Damon, George Clooney and Julia Roberts instead of the guys like David Lucas, Wendee Lee, etc... that made Cowboy Bebop the best dub ever made.

[thankyouenjoi]

If anyone is interested, every ep of Cowboy Bebop is on DVD in a set of like 5 DVDs.

[The Polisher]

Originally posted by thankyouenjoi
If anyone is interested, every ep of Cowboy Bebop is on DVD in a set of like 5 DVDs.

6 DVDs, to be precise.

[Kesh]

... with a cute disclaimer on the bottom of the box:

"No data dogs were harmed during the making of this boxed set." :D

Now if I could just afford the set...

[Fata Morgana]

But why would Columbia/Tristar be pursuing the rights if not for a theatrical release? I don't think that the aura of censorship is as harsh as you think. It was the first couple of months after 9/11, but at this point it's not an issue anymore. If _CN_ is willing to show Cowboy Funk, then by the time the movie comes around there definately won't be a problem.

I do agree that they might change the dub, which would be horrible. I'm hopeful, though, that whomever gets the rights will not want to "rock the boat" in terms of VAs.

Fata Morgana

[thankyouenjoi]

Cowboy Funk?????

[The Polisher]

Originally posted by thankyouenjoi
Cowboy Funk?????

Cowboy Funk is episode 22, I believe. It wasn't shown during the first airing of CB, possibly in light of 9/11, because of several blown-up buildings. It should be showing this time around.

[Ben]

If a mainstream studio does get the film, a dub change is inevitable. The dub cast for CB is non-union, and union signatories like the major studios can't bring in non-union VAs. Even if they tried, I doubt Lucas, Lee, and Co. would be willing to give up the good thing they have going with non-union anime dubbing. I'm definitely rooting for Bandai. If Escaflowne can get in theaters under them, CB should have no problems.

[Evil Dr. Reef]

Originally posted by Twage \
If a mainstream studio does get the film, a dub change is inevitable. The dub cast for CB is non-union, and union signatories like the major studios can't bring in non-union VAs. Even if they tried, I doubt Lucas, Lee, and Co. would be willing to give up the good thing they have going with non-union anime dubbing. I'm definitely rooting for Bandai. If Escaflowne can get in theaters under them, CB should have no problems.
I'd very much like to see the movie in a theater. BUT, if I have to give up the wonderful voices that I'm already familiar with, I hope Bandai gets it.