‘Cowboy Bebop’ Cast and Creators Share Disappointment Over Netflix Cancellation: ‘I Wish We Could Make What We Planned for a Second Season’
Netflix’s decision to cancel its live-action Cowboy Bebop came just three weeks after the show’s premiere, nixing any hopes the adaptation had of pursuing a second season. The streamer’s speedy cancellation came as a surprise to even the most critical viewers, and it’s certainly proven disappointing for the Cowboy Bebop creators and cast. Many of the talents behind the show headed online to express their feelings about the news.
‘Cowboy Bebop’s creators were planning for a season 2
Although the original Cowboy Bebop only consisted of a single season, the live-action Netflix series set the stage for future installments. Many of the characters’ storylines were left open-ended following its initial 10 episodes, not to mention Radical Ed (Eden Perkins) made her debut in the finale.
Showrunner André Nemec also teased “big plans” for Cowboy Bebop Season 2 in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Sadly, viewers will never get to know what those plans entailed.
For co-executive producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach, that’s one of the hardest aspects of Netflix’s cancellation. He shared the news on Twitter, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work on the show. However, he also lamented what could have been:
“I truly loved working on this. It came from a real and pure place of respect and affection. I wish we could make what we planned for a second season, but you know what they say, men plan, god laughs. see you space cowboy… #CowboyBebop #whateverhappens.”
In the responses, Grillo-Marxuach added that they “so much cool sh** planned” for Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop.
The Netflix show’s stars are disappointed in the decision
Grillo-Marxuach wasn’t the only one sorry to see Cowboy Bebop canceled by Netflix. Several cast members reacted to the news as well, including the show’s lead, John Cho. Cho played Spike Spiegel in the live-action adaptation, and it’s clear he was attached to the role. Following the sad news, the actor tweeted a Friends GIF delivering the message “I’m okay.”
And although we’re glad to hear Cho isn’t too down over Netflix’s decision, it’s clear he and his co-stars hoped for more. Daniella Pineda certainly didn’t hide what the announcement felt like. On Instagram, she posted an image of two people toasting, only to have one of their beer mugs shatter and spill its contents all over them. Those who were hoping for more episodes of the live-action Cowboy Bebop can probably relate.
Mustafa Shakir was more upbeat after the cancellation, posting on Twitter, “See you space cowboys!”
The anime’s slogan is coming in handy with everyone bidding farewell to the series. But why did Netflix cancel its adaptation in the first place?
Why did Netflix cancel ‘Cowboy Bebop’?
Netflix only releases so much information about its viewership numbers and renewal decisions. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Cowboy Bebop saw a 59-percent dip in viewership during its second week on the streamer, indicating a steep drop in interest.
It’s no secret that the adaptation also received a number of rough reviews, earning it a rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes. Although some viewers had praise for the series, many didn’t feel it lived up to the source material.
It’s a shame Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop won’t get to redeem itself during a second season. At least those who want to revisit the live-action iteration can still watch its 10-episode run on the platform.
