Summary
Despite plenty of campaigning on both sides, Jamie Lee Curtis will not be appearing inOne Pieceseason 2. Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s manga of the same name proved to be the surprise hit of 2023, receiving largely positive reviews from critics and audiences alike for its faithful approach to its source material, as well as drawing in massive viewership in its first few weeks.Netflix officially confirmedOne Pieceseason 2just two weeks after season 1’s release, with filming having gotten underway in June 2024.
As cameras have begun rolling on the new season,Deadlinespoke with Tomorrow Studios' Becky Clements to get some insight onOne Pieceseason 2. When asked about the major fan campaigns for Jamie Lee Curtis to star as Dr. Kureha in the new season, the executive producer disappointingly confirmed thatthe Oscar winner will not make an appearancedue to scheduling conflicts, though did also reveal that they have cast “an amazing person” to play the character. See what Clements explained below:
She loves the show. She has too many films and TV shows that she’s going into production on, so our production dates aren’t going to work. She definitely wanted to do it, but she’s got deals in first position, and it just became complicated. We have found an amazing person.
Kureha’s Inclusion Is Great News (Even If Not Played By Curtis)
Well before the show had even premiered on the streamer,Curtis had frequently expressed her desire to star in Netflix’sOne Pieceshow, with her eyes set on playing Dr. Kureha, after humorously noting she’s “a little old” to be playing her otherdesired character, Nico Robin. The year following season 1’s premiere saw this casting campaign heat up as Curtis again confirmed she would be open to lobbying for the role, though only after the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes lifted. Showrunner Matt Owens shared her sentiment, inviting her to talk without a need for her to lobby.
Though Clements' confirmation that Curtis won’t be playing the character may come as a disappointment, there is some positive news in thatKureha has now been confirmed forOne Pieceseason 2. Given the season was already set tointroduce Tony Tony Chopperto the roster, it seemed all but a given that the offbeat doctor would appear in some capacity as well. In both the manga and long-runningOne Pieceanime, Chopper works under Kureha when she took him in after his caretaker’s death, teaching him the ways of medicine before he went on to join the Straw Hat Pirates.
10 Live-Action One Piece Characters Who Will Steal The Show In Season 2
With One Piece season 2 on the way, plenty of characters are set to make their live-action debut. Whether good or bad, they might steal the show.
While curiosity is now aimed at who was cast to playKureha inOne Pieceseason 2, curiosity also remains as to whether Curtis will get the chance to play another character in the show’s future. Even in the midst of the campaigning, some fans of the franchise have put out other ideas for who Curtis could portray, ranging fromthe Kuja tribe’s Boa Hancock to Charlotte Linlin, better known as Big Mom and the captain of the Big Mom Pirates. Given Curtis' enthusiasm for the material, it would certainly be a missed opportunity not to try and find another spot for her inOne Piece.
One Piece
Cast
One Piece follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew as they embark on a daring quest for treasure. Released in 2023, the film brings the adventurous world of the popular manga to life, capturing Luffy’s relentless pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure.
