Xolo Maridueña Is Leveling Up: 3 Major Projects Beyond One Piece Live Action Season 3
Netflix’s One Piece just turned up the heat: Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña will blaze into Season 3 as Portgas D. Ace.
Xolo Maridueña is stacking gigs. Fresh off Cobra Kai and that DC detour with Blue Beetle, he is now sailing into Netflix's One Piece live-action as Portgas D. Ace in Season 3. If you know the anime/manga, you know Ace is one of Eiichiro Oda's most beloved and most tear-jerking characters. It is a big swing, and a smart one for Xolo.
So, what else is on his slate?
Short answer: a lot. He has three projects already lined up, with one locked to a 2026 date and the others not far behind.
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Practical Magic 2
The sequel returns to the Owens family for more witchy, romantic chaos, with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman back and a new generation stepping in — including Maridueña. Warner Bros. has circled September 18, 2026 for release. Casting is done and it is reportedly moving closer to post-production. Expect Xolo in a role that leans into mystery, magic, and a little heartache.
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Killing Castro
A historical thriller built around Fidel Castro's 1960 trip to New York City — political tension, secret plots, the whole Cold War mood. Maridueña stars alongside Al Pacino and Diego Boneta, which is a sentence that should raise your eyebrows in a good way. The film made industry noise at the Toronto International Film Festival market in September 2025. Production is complete, there is no official release date yet, and the current expectation is a 2026 rollout.
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Dog Years
An indie coming-of-age romance with Leah Lewis. Two former best friends bump into each other back in their hometown seven years after admitting they were in love. One night, one questionable break-in at their old high school, and one big question: do they blow up their current lives to try again? Filming is done, it is in post right now, and the plan is a festival run before any formal release news.
The takeaway
Between Ace in One Piece Season 3 and a 2026-heavy film lineup, you are going to be seeing a lot of Xolo Maridueña. One project brings the heat, one brings the magic, and one might quietly break your heart at a film festival before anyone sees it coming.