It’s been a long journey since Tomorrow Studios and Shueisha announced a production live action of one piece around mid-2017. And, without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges was finding the crew that would embody the Straw Hat pirates; especially, to the captain on whose shoulders such a large audiovisual commitment would rest. So why did Eiichirō Oda, author of one piecedid you choose Iñaki Godoy to give life to Monkey D. Luffy?
The Mexican actor, with credits in films such as Cheer up, youth! (2020), MexZombies (2022) or Do not open the door (2022), relates that when the auditions began he did not know the role or the exact series for which he was competing; except that it was a huge production. When they finally informed him, Godoy concentrated on capturing the charisma, the carefree personality and above all the characteristic smile of that dreamy boy who yearns to become the next “King of the pirates”.
He mangaka behind this global phenomenon not only served as executive producer of the live action, but rather oversaw the series through its various stages. That included, of course, casting. This is how the twenty-something actor recalled his signing in an interview with teen vogue:
“I was very excited [cuando me dieron el papel de Luffy]. And then he hit me: ‘This is going to change my life,’” Godoy commented. “I didn’t get to meet [Eiichirō] Oda during the audition process, but I did meet him later. And I remember asking him that question. ‘Because I? Why did you like me?’ And he told me it was because I made him laugh with my audition.”.
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Since the first glimpses of the Hollywood adaptation were released, one of the aspects most celebrated by fans around the world has been precisely the interpretation of the chilango actor. On camera and behind the scenes, Iñaki radiates exactly the energy you’re looking for in Monkey D. Luffy.
In view of its premiere, Netflix shared a fragment of that meeting between Eiichirō Oda and Iñaki Godoy in the studio of the mangaka in Tokyo, Japan. There she tells him, among other things, the reason why he considered that he was perfect for her. one piece.
“Actually, my biggest concern [sobre la adaptación live-action de One Piece] was if we could find someone like Luffy. But I watched a lot of audition videos and when I saw you, I started laughing.. You are exactly like the character I drew in my manga. Intuitively I thought: ‘That’s Luffy’”confesses Oda to the Mexican actor. “I can’t imagine anyone else playing this role.”
The eight episodes of live action of one piece arrive next August 31 at Netflix.