Shinichiro Watanabe is an anime industry icon thanks to his popular works like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. Even though his work has all been within the realm of anime, Watanabe revealed that he is interested in helming a live-action project.
The Cowboy Bebop creator revealed this in an interview with Full Frontal. There, he expressed his desire to work on a live-action project.
That’s not to say he wants to retire from anime. After all, he’s currently busy with his highly anticipated anime project that’s being produced by studio MAPPA.
Shinichiro Watanabe Reveals Interest in Directing Live-Action Project
Full Frontal got to interview Shinichiro Watanabe at the Niigata International Animation Film Festival earlier this year.
The interview featured Watanabe talking about some of his inspirations, as well as some of the other creators he looks up to. One of the most intriguing parts of the interview was when he was asked about live-action.
Specifically, Watanabe was asked about why he hasn’t directed a live-action project yet; the live-action Cowboy Bebop doesn’t count as he didn’t direct it and he wasn’t involved in it all that much.
Watanabe revealed that it’s not for the lack of trying. He shared that he has always dreamed about directing a live-action work, but it has just never materialized.
He didn’t go into specifics, though Watanabe said that he had one opportunity, but there were a couple of reasons it fell through. These include a lack of funding and not finding actors.
If the stars align, Watanabe’s live-action dream may still come true. After all, he said that his dreams of working on animation have been fulfilled, and he still hopes to work on a live-action project.
RELATED: The Best Classic Anime to Watch
Watanabe Wants to Work on an International Series
To follow up on this, Watanabe was asked about where he’d want to make the work. Watanabe said he hopes to do something international in the future.
Watanabe is no stranger to working on an international project. A few years ago, he was tapped to create an anime short for Blade Runner 2049, and it is titled Black Out 2022.
On the off chance that Watanabe does get to direct a live-action project, it probably won’t be another Cowboy Bebop series given how the Netflix adaptation turned out.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to Lazarus, Watanabe’s upcoming anime with MAPPA that was announced a few months ago.
Discover the latest anime news and info by following us on Twitter @epicstreamanime.
READ NEXT: Lazarus Release Date & All You Need to Know
Source: Full Frontal
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!