Netflix’s One Piece: Xolo Maridueña Officially Breaks Silence as Ace Before Season 3?

Xolo Maridueña has been officially confirmed to play Portgas D. Ace in Netflix’s One Piece live-action (via Tudum), and now he’s finally talking about it. The casting news first dropped back in November 2025, but fans had to wait months to actually hear from the actor himself.

That changed on August 31, 2026, when Netflix and the official One Piece Netflix account shared a new video where Maridueña opens up about stepping into the role. The clip arrives as Season 3, titled The Battle of Alabasta, gets closer to its 2027 release. Let’s discuss what he said, why this casting matters, and everything we know about Season 3.

Xolo Maridueña Finally Speaks Out on Playing Ace

In the new video, Maridueña talks about what it’s actually been like joining the cast. He shared how he got flooded with texts from people freaking out that he landed the role. He also joked about the massive Alabasta desert set, emphasizing the scale.

The fire has arrived in Alabasta. 🔥 Xolo Maridueña is Ace in ONE PIECE: The Battle of Alabasta. pic.twitter.com/AGXrNa4BLz

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) August 31, 2026

In the short clip, he is being asked questions that he is answering on the fly. He mentions that he is going to miss the sun after filming in Cape Town, and it sounds like he’s already planning to keep a piece of the set as a souvenir; The actor further says that he’ll probably be taking Ace’s hat home with him.

This is also the first time he’s spoken this openly about being part of the show, so it’s a big deal for fans who’ve been waiting on this reaction since day one.

Who Is Portgas D. Ace, and Why Does This Casting Matter?

If you haven’t seen the One Piece anime or read the manga, Ace is kind of a huge deal. He’s Luffy’s older brother, and they both share the same chaotic energy. However, he has a bit more mature vibe. He is one of the core members of the Whitebeard Pirates, who are easily one of the strongest pirates in the entire One Piece lore.

Ace’s power comes from the Flame-Flame Fruit, which lets him control and become fire. He’s known for being warm, loyal, and a little reckless, and his story is actually one of the most emotional in the entire story.  He first appears in the Alabasta saga, but doesn’t really do much.

Casting someone who can bring that same energy is a big responsibility, and fans have wanted Maridueña for the role for a long time. His chemistry with Iñaki Godoy, who plays Luffy, only made people want it more.

Everything We Know About One Piece Season 3: The Battle of Alabasta

Season 3 is officially titled ONE PIECE: The Battle of Alabasta (as per Netflix), and it’s set to bring one of the most beloved arcs in the manga to life. This arc is where we start seeing the villains who are actually a big deal and control the world.

The season follows the Straw Hats as they help Princess Vivi save her kingdom from a rebellion secretly caused by the warlord Sir Crocodile, who is a very powerful Devil Fruit user, and his group, Baroque Works.

Production wrapped earlier this year in Cape Town, South Africa, and the new season is expected sometime in 2027. However, no exact release date has been announced yet.

Are you ready to see Xolo Maridueña bring Ace to life? Let us know your thoughts on this casting choice in the comments.

One Piece is streaming on Netflix.