While “One Piece” is one of the most beloved anime series worldwide with over 1,085 episodes, Netflix boldly took on the challenge of creating a live-action adaptation. Although some key plot points were changed, the show has remained cherished by fans of the original.
Season 1 follows Monkey D. Luffy‘s first steps to find the One Piece and become the Pirate King. Along the way, he assembles his initial crew—Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji—as they prepare to set sail for the Grand Line.
Since the cliffhanger that concluded the first installment, viewers have eagerly awaited the continuation of the story and are particularly excited to see who will portray key characters like Tony Chopper, Nico Robin, and, of course, Portgas D. Ace. For him, there has been a fan-favorite casting suggestion that may soon become a reality.
Will Xolo Maridueña play Ace in Netflix’s ‘One Piece’?
From the moment Netflix approved the “One Piece” adaptation, fans eagerly fan-cast every character from the anime. Ace, being one of the most significant names in the story, was no exception, with many suggesting that Xolo Maridueña would be the perfect fit for the role.
Xolo Maridueña attends The 36th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards at Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater on September 07, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Source: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Hispanic Heritage Foundation)
Initially, this seemed like wishful thinking, but Netflix began showing interest in fan suggestions. As the second season is set to introduce Tony Chopper, there was also a push for Jamie Lee Curtis to play his mentor, Kureha. Curtis expressed enthusiasm about the role, but producers recently confirmed they couldn’t secure her due to her commitments to the “Freaky Friday” sequel.
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However, fans felt heard by the entertainment company and began advocating even more for Xolo Maridueña. It seems their efforts might have paid off! On July 19, on the Peruvian streaming channel “La Roro Network,” actor Mario Cortijo claimed with 100% certainty that Maridueña had been cast as Ace. Cortijo revealed that he received this information from a friend who had also auditioned for the role but was passed over in favor of the “Blue Beetle” star.
While Netflix has been tight-lipped about the cast, this leak appears credible, especially considering Maridueña’s existing relationship with the streamer through “Cobra Kai.” Netflix often recasts popular actors through many shows once they’ve built a strong following. However, fans will need to wait until the show’s season 2 release in 2025 or until official announcements are made to confirm the casting.
