Fans of the live-action series One Piece are buzzing with speculation about who will portray Portgas D. Ace, the iconic brother of Luffy. Recently, Brazilian actor Lucas claimed in a podcast that Xolo Maridueña, known for his role in Cobra Kai, has secured the coveted role. This revelation has ignited conversations on social media, particularly because Lucas bears a striking resemblance to Ace and seems to have stepped back from the competition.
Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace in Season 2 of One Piece?
The conversation began when an Instagram exchange was shared by the account @straw_hat_goofy. Lucas, seemingly resigned to the outcome, stated that Netflix had already chosen Xolo for the role. This declaration quickly gained traction, especially given Lucas’s respected status within the fan community. When asked for his thoughts, Xolo Maridueña humorously acknowledged the news while praising Lucas, whom he does not know personally. He also recounted an anecdote that fueled the fire: during Geeked Week 2024, a fan posted a photo of him with Jacob Bertrand (who plays Buggy) captioned “It’s Ace and Buggy together!“. Netflix’s response? A simple “I love them“, which sent fans into a frenzy.
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The Anticipation Builds
While Netflix has yet to officially confirm the casting, this ambiguous reaction has been interpreted as a knowing nod to the speculation. Xolo himself admitted to being surprised by the magnitude of the rumors, acknowledging that fans have vivid imaginations. “It felt like Netflix was confirming without really confirming,” he playfully shared on the podcast. This has only fueled further theories as excitement mounts for Ace’s character, whose introduction to the story is expected to create significant drama.
With a physical appearance already reminiscent of Ace and an ever-growing fanbase, Xolo Maridueña seems to be leading the pack. However, until an official announcement is made, fans of the series remain on tenterhooks, closely monitoring every hint and comment. It’s clear that Netflix excels at keeping its audience in suspense, though this time, the strategy may be slipping out of their grasp.
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