Who Leaked Xolo Maridueña’s Ace Casting in One Piece Live Action? His Cryptic Reply Is Raising Eyebrows

File this under: rumors that got way louder than anyone intended. A podcast chat with Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle star Xolo Maridueña made the One Piece fandom spiral into casting detective mode, thanks to a Brazilian actor named Lucas and a surprisingly cheeky comment from Netflix itself.

How the Ace rumor lit up

The short version: Lucas, a Brazilian actor who has built a following because he looks a lot like Portgas D. Ace, has wanted the role in Netflix's One Piece live action for ages. On Instagram, he told people that Xolo had already snagged Ace. That one line — from someone fans already associate with Ace — made it feel legit, and it even sounded like Lucas was bowing out. Instant wildfire.

The conversation popped up via a podcast clip posted to Instagram by Juju Green (aka @straw_hat_goofy). Ever since season 2 of the live-action series was confirmed, fans have been trying to figure out who will play Luffy's foster brother. Ace is a big deal for where the story goes next and, frankly, for the series as a whole.

Xolo weighs in, Netflix pours gasoline

On the podcast, Xolo politely shouted out Lucas — and clarified he does not know him personally — before telling his own version of how this rumor got legs. Even he was surprised by how many dots the internet started connecting between him and Ace.

Then there was Geeked Week 2024. According to Xolo, a fan spotted him hanging out with his Cobra Kai buddy Jacob Bertrand and dropped this in the comments:

"That’s Ace and Buggy together!"

Netflix's social account jumped in with:

"I love them sm"

Not exactly a casting press release, but yeah — that read like a wink. It definitely did not calm the rumor mill. For the record, Netflix has not announced anything official about Ace casting.

The rumor, clean and simple

• Lucas, a Brazilian actor known online for looking like Ace, told fans Xolo had the role.
• Fans bought it, partly because Lucas seemed to be stepping aside.
• Xolo addressed it on a podcast clip posted by @straw_hat_goofy, saying he doesn't know Lucas.
• He explained how the Geeked Week moment plus Netflix's "I love them sm" reply made the theory explode.
• There is still no official confirmation from Netflix.

Would Xolo actually make a good Ace?

Honestly, it's not hard to picture. The look tracks, the energy tracks, and he already has that older-brother vibe with Iñaki Godoy (Luffy). He has the action chops from Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle, and Ace needs someone who can handle big, emotional swings too. Xolo has shown he can do both.

All that said, the only box that matters is the audition. If he gets it, great — it would make a ton of sense. Until then, it's just a well-fed rumor that Netflix's social team definitely did not starve.

One Piece Live Action season 1 is streaming now on Netflix.