One Piece's Cast Want A Massive MCU Star To Join Luffy's Crew, And It'd Be Near Perfect

1 day ago 4

Luffy on the Going Merry holding a broom and smiling in One Piece season 2

Published Apr 22, 2026, 2:49 PM EDT

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Netflix may not have Stranger Things at its helm these days, but the streaming service is going to be just fine. After all, it has found a new captain to lead its new era. Against all odds, Netflix's One Piece has become a bonafide hit, and the successful launch of season two made that crystal clear. With all eyes on season three, One Piece fans are eager to see how Luffy's crew expands in the coming years, and the show's cast is no different. In fact, the team has been thinking about the Straw Hat Crew's future, and they know one MCU star has to join the squad ASAP.

There are spoilers below for One Piece, so read on with caution.

And who might that be? Well, it turns out Jacob Gibson is dead set on Dave Bautista joining the team. During a recent appearance at GalaxyCon, Gibson took to the stage with co-star Emily Rudd, and it was there a fan asked the One Piece stars who they'd fan-cast in the Netflix series. It was there Gibson gave Bautista a shoutout and who knows? The plea may work out one day.

"Dave Bautista as Jinbe. He's big, and I want to hug him," Gibson shared, giving his pick for the future Straw Hat casting. And as for Rudd, the actress admitted she's totally down for John Cena to join the cast so long as he plays Franky.

One Piece's Cast Wants Dave Bautista & John Cena ASAP

Clearly, Gibson and Rudd know what they're talking about when it comes to casting. The Straw Hat Crew is a ragtag bunch, and its members are unhinged in the grand scheme of things. Jinbe is often hailed as the most low-key member of Luffy's crew, but that is not saying much.

As a former Warlord of the Sea, Jinbe is incredibly powerful, and his loyalty knows no bounds. Audiences know Bautista could nail this role given his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. James Gunn made the brilliant move to cast the former WWE star as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy, a role which propelled Bautista to Hollywood's A-list. The actor's heartfelt and comedic performance suited the MCU perfectly, making him a key figure in the franchise. Jinbe is a similar linchpin in One Piece, so the casting speaks for itself.

While Jinbe doesn't join the Straw Hat Crew for some time in the manga, the same cannot be said for Franky. The exuberant shipwright is introduced during the Water Seven saga, and his debut is downright explosive. Despite rubbing Luffy's crew the wrong way at first, Franky comes around to Luffy in a big way. Filled to the brim with wild ideas, Franky wows the Straw Hats with his larger-than-life personality and fierce determination. Rudd's pick is pretty much perfect as Cena has flexed his acting skills in a variety of roles. Most recently, the actor left critics impressed with his performance as Peacemaker, but he's also earned high praise for his work in Trainwreck.

The future of the Straw Hat Crew is uncertain, but given the success Netflix has seen with the live-action anime, fans are hopeful Luffy's squad will all join the series at some point. First, the series must get through season three. Netflix has already confirmed One Piece season three is on the way as it will bring the Alabasta saga to life, so for right now, Jinbe and Franky will need to sit tight.