One Piece Cinematographer Says Live-Action Series 'Can't Please Everyone'

There is little doubt that people already have certain expectations when it comes to the live-action One Piece series. So what can we look forward to in the upcoming Netflix show? Cinematographer Nicole Hirsch Whitaker says the highly anticipated new series will not be "a carbon copy of the anime."

If there's one thing that people think about the new One Piece series, it's the possibility that it will be a complete adaptation of the manga and anime by Eiichiro Oda. After all, Oda himself is reportedly involved with the project.

However, it looks like the new adaptation will be nothing like that. Cinematographer Nicole Hirsch Whitaker told Filmmaker's Academy that she and the director "wanted it to stand out on its own and not just be a carbon copy of the anime." In addition to that, "they referenced different films along with photography and the look of the show."

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Whitaker also addressed the possibility that the series will be criticized like many other live-action adaptations on Netflix.

“There will always be fans and critics. You can’t please everyone but at the heart of it, the most important thing is the story. And if the story isn’t there, and that doesn’t grab the viewers, it doesn’t matter what you do. We can only hope that we’re going to gain a new audience and people that find it fascinating and interesting,” Whitaker said.

The One Piece series will also star Iñaki Godoy as Luffy, Mackenyu Arata as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji as the main Straw Hats crew. The series will also feature Morgan Davies as Koby, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida, Aidan Scott as Helmeppo, McKinley Belcher III as Arlong, Vincent Regan as Garp, Alexander Maniatis as Klahadore, Steven Ward as Mihawk, Peter Gadiot as Red-Haired Shanks, Craig Fairbrass as Chef Zeff, Langley Kirkwood as Captain Morgan, Celeste Loots as Kaya, and Chioma Umeala as Nojiko.

One Piece is expected to premiere on Netflix in 2023.

Related: Zoro Actor Mackenyu Left Out of One Piece Co-Star Taz Skylar's Production Wrap Post