A recently shared image from Netflix's upcoming live-action Cowboy Bebop series spotlights one of the more bizarre villains from the original anime, who made his debut in the episode "Pierrot Le Fou."
Fans received their first look at the live-action version of the super-powered killer clown, Mad Pierrot, as part of a series of sneak peek images on Twitter. Although the character keeps his signature top hat and Elizabethan-era ruff collar, the Netflix series seems to have done away with his rotund figure and umbrella, and added what appears to be makeup. What's more, it seems the amusement park setting will be returning for Spike's climactic confrontation with Mad Pierrot, as the top of an apparent merry-go-round and the last letters of a neon sign can be spotted in the background.
Mad Pierrot is a clone who was subjected to medical experiments causing him to gain superhuman strength and speed as well as the ability to fly and summon a force shield. However, the procedure also caused his psyche to regress and his sanity to deteriorate, ultimately compelling him to slaughter anyone responsible for his traumatic past. When Spike gets in the way of his vengeance, however, Mad Pierrot proves to be one of the bounty hunter's most formidable foes yet, despite his infantile disposition.
"Pierrot Le Fou," the twelfth episode of the original anime, is often remembered by fans as one of the handful of episodes that depart from the series' regular neo-noir, space western genre and becomes something more akin to horror. The episode is also brimming with various references and inspirations, such as sharing its title with a 1965 film from legendary French New Wave filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard. Moreover, Mad Pierrot's attire and mannerisms appear inspired by several Batman villains like The Penguin and The Joker. The amusement park finale seems straight out of The Killing Joke graphic novel, with Bebop's production company Sunrise even having worked on 1992's Batman the Animated Series.
Netflix's live-action Cowboy Bebop adaption stars John Cho, Mustafa Shakir and Daniella Pineda playing the ragtag bounty hunters Spike Spiegel, Jet Black and Faye Valentine, respectively. More images from the upcoming series have also surfaced, including several stills that appear to be from the episode "Asteroid Blues" in addition to a handful of others showcasing Spike, Jet, Faye and their lovable Corgi companion, Ein.
Cowboy Bebop will stream exclusively on Netflix beginning Nov. 19.
Source: Twitter