Considered one of the “Big Three” anime, Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece is back after a hugely successful first season. The second season continues the journey of the main protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, and the Straw Hat crew as they search for the legendary treasure known as the “One Piece.” The franchise has had a massive cultural impact, cementing its place in global pop culture, and now Academy Award–winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis can’t stop gushing about it.
Jamie Lee Curtis is a ‘serious OG fan’ of One Piece!
In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Jamie Lee Curtis spoke about her disappointment at not being able to join the live-action adaptation of One Piece. As per media reports, the show’s producers were enthusiastic about the idea of casting Curtis as Dr. Kureha after fans online actively campaigned for her to play the role. Furthermore, back in 2021, the actress had also expressed interest in portraying the character during a San Diego Comic-Con panel.
“I am a legit fan, like a serious OG fan with the American dubs back in the day,” she said in the recent interview.
Curtis explained that she ultimately could not commit to the popular live-action adaptation because filming took place in South Africa, which created scheduling conflicts.
“I didn’t get to do it because it was in South Africa. And I was shooting something else, and I couldn’t go to South Africa. If it had been Los Angeles or any place nearer, I would have been able to be in it,” she said.
At the same time, Curtis said she was thrilled that her “dear friend” Katey Sagal landed the role instead, adding that Sagal “smashes it.” She also joked about the character’s costume, saying:
“That’s her stomach, whereas if it had been mine, it would have been a prosthetic. I am telling you now. I could not have worn those pants.”
Created by Eiichiro Oda, the hugely popular manga was later expanded into anime, films, games, and ultimately a live-action TV adaptation. The series debuted in 1997 in Weekly Shōnen Jump, and since then, it has never looked back, reaching remarkable heights thanks to its elaborate world-building and the deeply emotional character arcs that have resonated with audiences worldwide.
