Did Netflix Just Spoil a Major One Piece Live Action Casting?
- Netflix's behind-the-scenes and fan interaction give hints that Xolo Maridueña might be Ace in 'One Piece' Season 2.
- Actor Mario Cortijo may have accidentally confirmed Maridueña's role as Ace.
- Maridueña's history with action roles and the significance of Ace in upcoming arcs make him a strong contender.
One Piece is still going strong and managing to keep millions entertained with its pirate adventures and hunt for treasure. When Netflix revealed that they were working on a live-action adaptation, fans wondered whether it could handle what Eiichiro Oda did to perfection.
The first season of One Piece live-action has been successful. Now that the Straw Hat crew is all ready to go for the announced second season, the internet is filled with speculation about who might be joining the cast. One of the most burning queries is about the actor who will portray Ace. Could Netflix have already dropped hints?
Netflix Teases Xolo Maridueña as Ace
One Piece Season 2 is in production right now in South Africa, and the primary cast is ready to return. However, fans have been talking about one character in particular out of all – Portgas D. Ace, Luffy’s fire-fisted brother. While Netflix has not disclosed who will take on this role, they might have indirectly revealed Xolo Maridueña to be the actor.
Earlier, Netflix dropped a behind-the-scenes interaction with Iñaki Godoy, who plays the live-action Luffy, touring the Cobra Kai set. What attracted fans’ attention was how Godoy interacted with Maridueña.
The two actors teaming up for a fight scene gave brotherly vibes more than anything else. The two even mimicked Luffy and Ace’s famous stance from the Marineford arc, and fans believe it was not just a coincidence.
And that is not the end. A fan recently reacted to one of Netflix’s Instagram posts consisting of pictures of Maridueña and Jeff Ward saying, “Ace and Buggy together.” To that comment, Netflix just replied, “I love them sm.” This gives the hint that Netflix is not entirely denying that Maridueña might be Ace in One Piece Season 2.
Further fueling the flames, actor Mario Cortijo could have revealed the casting in an interview with Carlos Orozco. Cortijo said,
This is to prevent people who think that just because I look like a character or I’m from the same place that I should be cast. Like in One Piece, season two is coming out. They’re [the actor] Lucas Amorim who fans are obsessed with saying he should be Ace because he’s Brazilian who’s actually played by Xolo Mariduena who is Mexican. He’s going to play a Brazilian character.
Realizing his slip-up, Cortijo quickly added, “Oh, then I shouldn’t have said that.” These subtle hints from Netflix and from fellow actors have now almost confirmed that Xolo Maridueña might actually represent live-action Ace.
Xolo Maridueña’s Take on Fancasts
What does Xolo Maridueña himself have to say about all this speculation? In a TikTok live (via Reddit) with his Cobra Kai co-star Jacob Bertrand, Maridueña responded to the fan castings. He said,
It’s a dream, but at the same time, it has to be right…I’ve got to audition for it. I’ve got to go the same route as everyone else. Unless they’re like, ‘Hey, this guy here is so perfect’.
Maridueña for Ace is a very strong contender, given that he has a series of action performances, including Miguel in Cobra Kai as well as Jaime Reyes in Blue Beetle. Apart from his looks, his ability to handle complex characters and fight scenes makes him a fan favorite for the role.
But why is Netflix being so secretive about this casting? Ace is not involved greatly in the next arcs in the One Piece story. He only plays a small role in the Alabasta arc, but it is quite significant in the long run. Netflix could be planning to change that and hold back the big reveal about how much screen time Ace will have in Season 2.
One Piece live-action is available to stream on Netflix.
