The Auckland production of Netflix's Cowboy Bebop has been shut down after star John Cho was injured on set.
Filming has been underway for the highly anticipated live-action series with more than 400 people part of the crew for the 10-episode order - the largest ever production in the City of Sails.
But Deadline reports the production is going on a lengthy hiatus after lead Cho injured his knee in what the entertainment media outlet describes as a freak accident on set.
A source has told Deadline that the injury is so serious it requires surgery and Cho will have to go into extensive rehabilitation for about seven to nine months.
"Our thoughts are with John, and he has our complete support as he recuperates from this injury," a Netflix spokesperson told Deadline.
Netflix is said to not want to recast Cho despite the setback. A new production schedule will be devised once Cho's prognosis has become clear.
Cowboy Bebop is an adaptation of a Japanese animated science-fiction series with a cult following.
Cho - who featured in the Star Trek reboot - was cast as the main character Spike Spiegal - a space cowboy bounty hunter.
Auckland tourism, events and economic development helped bring the production to the city.
Netflix said in September that Auckland's production facilities are first-class and it was excited to be filming here, but exactly where that filming is happening was being kept quiet.
Organisers are hoping international television giants like Netflix will see Auckland as a long-term base for more production if the city proves successful for Cowboy Bebop.
Newshub.
