John Cho injured on set of Cowboy Bebop, delaying production for months
By Dan Selcke
And just as soon as it started, it stops. We reported just a week ago that Netflix had begun production on its live-action remake of the classic anime series Cowboy Bebop, kicking things off in the only acceptable manner: by introducing us to the dog who will play Ein the space corgi.
Unfortunately, just a week later, production has shut down after star John Cho suffered a knee injury as the result of “a freak accident,” according to Deadline. Cho is playing lead character Spike Spiegel, a laid-back bounty hunter. “Our thoughts are with John and he has our complete support as he recuperates from this injury,” Netflix said in a statement.
Clearly, Cho is taking things in stride, although Deadline reports that production could shut down anywhere from seven to nine months while he has surgery and recuperates. Since filming on the 10-episode first season is still in the early stages, Netflix could theoretically recast him, but it’s happy to wait.
Apparently, the injury happened “on the last take of a routine and well-rehearsed scene.” Cowboy Bebop featured plenty of fight scenes, explosions, and outer space dogfights, so the possibilities are many.
So like that, but with a more painful ending.
Cho has amassed some impressive credits during his career, probably most notably as Sulu in the new Star Trek movies, although to some he’ll always be Harold from the Harold & Kumar movies. Cowboy Bebop also stars Mustafa Shakir as Jet, Daniella Pineda as Faye Valentine and Alex Hassell as Vicious. I don’t know what the dog’s name is.
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The remake was tentatively scheduled to air in 2020, but we’ll probably have a to wait a while longer now.
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