One Piece fans were left devastated after Jamie Lee Curtis left the show’s live-action production last July. Yet, creator Echiro Oda did not let her filming schedule conflicts hold back the show. On August 20th, Oda announced Katey Sagal will take Lee Curtis’ role.
Oda’s 2023 Announcement
Back in September 2023, Netflix dropped an announcement from Oda about One Piece Live-Action Season 2’s script is under production. Cleverly speaking through his transponder snail to hide his identity, he reveals the Straw Hat Pirates will need a doctor. Then on October 6th, director Matt Owens revealed the doctor’s identity to be Dr. Kureha.
Dr. Kureha is the doctor of Drum Island. She is sometimes considered a witch for her sinister methods with patients. In the same announcement, Oda has also drawn the beloved Tony Tony Chopper. Dr. Kureha is the deer’s foster mother after the passing of Dr. Hiriluk.
In his interview with Tudum, Owens shared about the communication between him and Jamie Lee Curtis. The production team sent her a Kureha figurine after her Oscar win. She uploaded a photo on Instagram back on March 31st to announce she desires to take on the role. Lee Curtis was motivated to be in One Piece as she and her daughter are fans.
Scheduling Conflicts
Within the first half of 2024, there was rarely any news appearing about One Piece Live-Action Season 2. Later, in July, Jamie Lee Curtis confirmed that she had to turn down her starring role. Dr. Kureha would be dropped in exchange for her roles in Freaky Friday 2, and the now-flopped Borderlands film. Throughout Twitter (now X) and Instagram, One Piece fans expressed their broken hearts as shown on FandomWire.
Yet, an article from Cinema Blend tells a different story. One of the show’s producers, Becky Clements reassured fans that losing Lee Curtis won’t be the end. “Matt Owens has the story in his head. We are creatively prepared for anything for these six seasons.”
Dr. Kureha Played By Katey Sagal
On August 20th, the Tudum revealed that One Piece Live-Action Season 2 is continuing to film. This time, Oda answers the questions. He chose to answer about the casting. Instead of removing Dr. Kureha, she will be played by the wonderful Katey Sagal.
Sagal has been acting since the 1970s. Her first role was the pre-teen patient in The Failing of Raymond. She landed her first main cast role in 1987’s Married…With Children as Peggy Bundy. Her most-known roles are Leela from Futurama and Gemma Teller-Morrow from Sons of Anarchy.
Her co-star, Mark Harelick will play Dr. Kureha’s best friend, Dr. Hiriluk. Sagal will also be joined by other One Piece characters including this arc’s newest villain Smoker. The admiral will be played by Callum Kerr who’s acting outside the UK for the first time.
Heading For Drum Island
In the upcoming arc for One Piece Season 2, the Straw Hats are setting sail beyond the Grand Line. Logue Town, Reverse Mountain, Whiskey Peaks, Little Island, and Drum Island will be featured in this arc. One Piece’s production will be filmed in South Africa. However, they are now wanted criminals by the Marines defeating two of their admirals and rescuing islands.
Oda shared a personal letter during the interview about the production. “Matt and Tomorrow Studios won’t rest until the show has met my standards. We all have grown close as we bring One Piece to the real world.” For the next two days, the One Piece Netflix Twitter (now X) will be sharing more information on Season 2. As fans excitedly wait, what could be the fate of Chopper?
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