The second season of Netflix’s One Piece adaptation has been adding some new names to the call sheet in recent weeks, with some sizable additions in David Dastmalchian and Camrus Johnson. But fans have been hoping for Jamie Lee Curtis to pop in this season as Kureha, the guardian of future Straw Hat Tony Tony Chopper. Curtis loudly said she wanted the part years ago, and co-showrunner Matt Owens later opened the door for further discussion. Seemed like a done deal, yeah? Yeah….no.
In a recent Deadline interview, executive producer Becky Clements revealed Curtis won’t be a part of the show. The reason is a simple matter of scheduling: the actor apparently has “too many films and shows” she’ll be a part of that the timing just didn’t line up properly. “[Jamie] definitely wanted to do it, but she’s got deals in first position, and it just became complicated,” explained Clements. And if you think they’ll just hold Kureha for a third season, Clements revealed the part has already been cast and given to “an amazing person.”
One Piece is a few weeks into production back in Cape Town, and in a status update, Clements said things were going well. From the cast to VFX and stunt teams, she called them all “some of the best I’ve ever worked with. With this IP, Oda’s brain is so fertile and unique that everyone is invigorated every day of like, ‘How are we going to do this?,’ and folks who’ve been at this for awhile, you can just feel the almost childlike excitement about trying to pull it off.” According to her, Owens and fellow showrunner Joe Tracz have been “very aligned in all aspects of the series.”
While the show hasn’t been renewed past season two, Clements pointed out that Owens has a multi-season plan in his head. (Deadline suggested six seasons, but she was evasive on specifics.) It all depends on Netflix and other partners hungering for more, but she called Owens “creatively prepared” to keep One Piece going for a while.
As for when we’ll see season two, Clements said they’re a “long time out.” Production will continue through December, and this is a “VFX-heavy year” in entertainment. To tide yourself over, you may as well go on and watch the animated version, or even read the manga. Chances are you’ll be all caught up by the time Netflix puts out the next season.
[via IGN]
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