One Piece Live-Action and Joey King’s Uglies Show that Netflix had Always Been Fooling Us with its Controversial Casting Decisions
- Netflix's casting often confuses fans with age and beauty discrepancies.
- Recently, 'Uglies' faced backlash for casting an actress deemed too pretty for it.
- 'One Piece' excels with perfect casting that fans love and celebrate wholeheartedly.
Netflix has undoubtedly become a major player in the streaming world, but when it comes to casting, they often miss the mark. One moment they have a 33-year-old Nicola Coughlan playing the 17-year-old Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, and the next, they choose actors who are way too pretty to convincingly portray ‘ugly’ characters.
This inconsistency leaves fans confused about the decisions being made behind the scenes. Take the recent adaptation of Uglies. Fans of the book were excited for it, but when Joey King, a well-known Hollywood beauty, was cast as Tally Youngblood, eyebrows were raised. How could she convincingly portray someone deemed ‘ugly’?
It felt like casting a supermodel in a role meant to challenge beauty standards. Meanwhile, in the world of One Piece, Netflix seems to have found its groove. Fans are truly pleased with the casting choices that reflect the characters’ quirks and ages perfectly. So, what gives?
Uglies‘ Casting Doesn’t Match the Message
The film Uglies, based on Scott Westerfeld’s popular book series, hit Netflix with mixed reviews. The story takes place in a dystopian future where everyone undergoes surgery at 16 to become ‘Pretty.’
But here’s the catch: the casting of Joey King as Tally Youngblood didn’t sit right with many fans. Critics argued that casting beautiful actors in roles meant to challenge beauty norms sends the wrong message.
It’s like casting a cat to play a dog—just doesn’t fit! Fans expected a more relatable portrayal of Tally’s struggles with self-image and societal pressures. They wanted to see someone who could represent the ‘ugly’ in a way that felt genuine.
It points to a very crucial point: if a show’s message is about self-acceptance, shouldn’t the casting reflect that? Instead of feeling inspired, viewers felt more confused. If Netflix wanted to address beauty standards, they missed the mark with this choice.
Netflix Hits Gold with Its One Piece Adaptation Casting Choices
Now, on the other hand, let’s talk about One Piece. Netflix really hit the jackpot with this adaptation. At first, fans were like, ‘Oh no, not another live-action!’ But guess what? They were pleasantly surprised! The casting is spot-on.
The actors not only look the part but also bring the characters to life in ways that feel completely authentic. Netflix has truly found a treasure with this one! Take Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy: The character is all about energy and optimism, and Godoy absolutely nails that vibe—as if he was born to swing on a pirate ship.
Then we have Mackenyu Arata as Zoro. Not only does he look like the ultimate swordsman, but he can actually wield a sword, too! And Emily Rudd as Nami? She perfectly captures Nami’s cleverness and depth—she’s got that charm on lock!
But it doesn’t stop there! For season 2, Netflix is bringing in more actors who fit their roles perfectly. Take Russian actress and model Lera Abova, for instance—she is recently announced as the one set to play Nico Robin in One Piece.
Unlike Uglies, where the casting felt off, One Piece proves that Netflix can really hit the right notes. It makes us wonder: if they can do it here, why not everywhere?
One Piece Season 1 and Uglies are available to watch on Netflix.
