Netflix has rounded out the cast for its upcoming One Piece live-action series. Created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, the original manga focuses on Monkey D. Luffy, a young man who aspires to become the King of the Pirates by acquiring the titular treasure, One Piece. In his pursuit, Monkey enlists a small crew known as the Straw Hat Pirates, and together they set sail on a ship named Going Merry while confronting other nefarious pirates in the East Blue. Initially, One Piece had humble beginnings, but it has since spawned a bustling franchise comprised of video games, animated films, and a smash hit One Piece animated series that recently crossed 1000 episodes.
Now, Netflix is also seeking to cash on the success of the popular franchise, as it has been developing a live-action adaptation of the manga since 2017. It wasn't, however, until 2020 that the series finally scored a ten-episode order at the streaming giant, and even then, plans to kick start production were halted due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Work on the One Piece live-action then resumed in March 2021, with showrunner Steven Maeda revealing a manga-inspired logo for the show, and promising that the series would begin by following the East Blue arc. Now, the adaptation has taken another major step forward.
On Tuesday, Netflix released a new video announcing the cast for the One Piece live-action series. In the amusing clip, the new actors disclosed the roles they would be playing in the show. Who Killed Sara?'s Iñaki Godoy is playing the lead, Monkey D. Luffy, while Ruroni Kenshin: Final Chapter's Mackenyu and Fear Street's Emily Rudd are joining as Roronoa Zoro and Nami respectively. All Rise's Jacob Romero Gibson will essay Usopp, whereas Boiling Point's Taz Skylar will star as Sanji. Take a look at the video below:
Click Here to View the Original Video
Produced by Tomorrow Studios, and original publisher Shueisha, One Piece is the second classic manga property that Netflix has tapped on for a live-action adaptation after Cowboy Bebop. The original creator, Oda, is also attached as an executive producer, and he claims that the new protagonists have been selected following an intensive, far-reaching search. The actors fit the bill in all ways, and Oda is excited to see them transform into the live versions of his beloved Straw Hat Pirates. Oda, nevertheless, insists that the wait to see the actors in action would be a bit longer, as there is quite some time before the show gets completed. However, the live-action adaptation is making steady progress, and there is hope that it will become the show that everyone can enjoy all around the globe.
As with all other adaptations of beloved properties, it won't be a surprise if the reactions to the casting news are mixed. But while opponents can argue, there is no denying that the new stars possess the right charisma and energy for their own parts. Godoy particularly stands out, as his excitement and enthusiasm about his new job would play well into his performance as Monkey. Of course, these are the only characters that have been confirmed for the show. The Straw Hat Pirates are a much bigger crew, but it makes sense for the series to add more members gradually rather than stacking them up into the adaptation all at once. For now, the casting decision seems to be a step in the right direction for the One Piece live-action show.
Source: Netflix