Casting Franky In One Piece Live-Action: 8 Actors Who’d Be Perfect

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Netflix is very open about its ambitious plans for One Piece. The first season of the live-action series was a huge success, surprising many who doubted it would work. Now, with a second season released, One Piece has become one of Netflix’s biggest shows. As Stranger Things has ended, One Piece is poised to become Netflix’s next major franchise, and fans are already excited to see what the future holds.

The third season of One Piece will fully dive into the Alabasta storyline, but fans can also expect the live-action series to eventually cover the Water 7 arc. This means we’ll get to see Franky, one of the Straw Hat crew’s most popular members, come to life on screen. Bringing Franky’s energetic personality to a live-action format will be challenging, but the show has already demonstrated its ability to handle complex adaptations. ScreenRant has compiled a list of eight actors who could perfectly portray Franky on Netflix.

Cody Rhodes

Franky from One Piece is a larger-than-life character, initially introduced as a powerful opponent before revealing his fun and outgoing personality. If Netflix is looking to cast Franky in their live-action adaptation, Cody Rhodes would be a perfect fit. Rhodes, a professional wrestler, is known for being incredibly charismatic, energetic, and tough – qualities that perfectly match Franky’s character. He’s demonstrated the ability to portray both emotional depth and physical strength, as seen in his work with WWE. With his acting career growing, especially with his role in Street Fighter, Rhodes would be a great choice for Franky, and casting him would be a smart move for Netflix.

Olivier Richters

If Netflix truly wants to capture the immense size of the character Franky in their live-action One Piece series, Olivier Richters is the only actor who could convincingly play the role. Known as the Dutch Giant, Richters stands at an incredible 7’2″ and weighs around 350 pounds, making him physically ideal for the part. He’s not just imposing, though – his background in bodybuilding gives him the right physique, and he’s proven he can handle big-budget franchises, having appeared in projects like those from the MCU and Indiana Jones. Plus, he’s a versatile actor capable of portraying the emotional depth Franky requires. Most fans would agree that Netflix couldn’t find a better fit than Olivier Richters.

Brock O’Hurn

One Piece consistently shows that Franky, despite his tough appearance, is a kind-hearted person. He quickly goes from being a villain to a loyal friend of Luffy’s, and Netflix needs an actor who can capture that change. Brock O’Hurn would be a perfect fit. He has the physical build for the role, but more importantly, he’s known for playing warm, supportive characters – like those in The Righteous Gemstones and Young Rock. He also has great comedic skills, as demonstrated in History of the World, Part II, meaning he could easily pull off Franky’s larger-than-life personality. O’Hurn is a surprisingly excellent choice for the part.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Many successful actors, like John Cena, Dwayne Johnson, and Dave Bautista, started in professional wrestling. When adapting the character Franky from One Piece, it makes sense to consider wrestlers, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) would be an excellent fit. As a prominent villain in AEW, Friedman could brilliantly portray Franky’s first appearance in One Piece, especially during the Water 7 arc where he clashes with Luffy’s crew. Throughout his wrestling career, Friedman has demonstrated a wide acting range, convincingly playing both a tough exterior and a surprisingly vulnerable side – much like Franky himself, who is arguably the most emotionally expressive member of the Straw Hat Pirates. With a strong physique and the ability to convey dramatic emotions, Friedman could perfectly capture Franky’s power and charisma on screen, making him an ideal choice for this iconic character.

Dalton Castle

Surprisingly, a performer doesn’t need to be huge to play Franky. While One Piece emphasizes Franky’s large size, the right actor can capture the character with the correct energy. Pro wrestler Dalton Castle (also known as Brett Giehl) is a perfect fit. Fans call him a ‘peacock’ because of his extravagant style, which matches Franky’s flamboyant personality. Franky isn’t afraid to show his emotions, whether he’s fighting or sharing heartfelt moments with his crew. Castle has consistently demonstrated this level of performance in the wrestling ring, proving he could easily bring the same energy to the role of Franky in One Piece.

Martyn Ford

Martyn Ford’s imposing physique – he’s 6’8″ and weighs 320 pounds – has earned him the nickname ‘human tank’ in Hollywood. He’s perfectly built for the role of Franky, a cyborg character, and doesn’t even need special effects to look the part, plus he’s a skilled actor. This year, he’ll be terrifying audiences as Shao Khan in Mortal Kombat II, a role that fits his powerful presence. Having already played villains in projects like F9 and The Nevers, Ford is experienced at bringing these characters to life, making the role of Franky in One Piece a compelling opportunity. While Franky starts as an enemy of the Straw Hat crew, he quickly becomes a close friend to Luffy, and Ford could convincingly portray that character arc for Netflix. Fans might be surprised to see him join the live-action One Piece series, but he’s certainly a strong contender.

Peter Claffey

The team choosing actors for the live-action One Piece series often seeks out fresh faces, and Peter Claffey is a great fit for the role of Franky. While he’s known for his work in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Claffey is quickly becoming a name to watch in Hollywood. Not only does he have the impressive build required for Franky, but his background as a rugby player gives him the physicality to convincingly portray a powerful fighter capable of taking on any opponent.

As seen in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Claffey is a gifted actor. He perfectly embodies the kind and imposing nature of Sir Duncan the Tall, a quality that aligns well with the character of Franky. Like Franky, who reveals a warm heart beneath a tough exterior in the Water 7 arc, Claffey could brilliantly portray this transformation and bring depth to the role in One Piece.

Tom Hopper

Fans have created some great dream casts for the upcoming live-action One Piece, and one choice is particularly popular: Tom Hopper as Franky. Like the pick of Xolo Maridueña for Portgas D. Ace, many believe Hopper is a perfect fit. Known for his role in The Umbrella Academy, Hopper is used to being part of a successful Netflix series. People are excited by his comedic timing and physical presence, making him a top choice among fans for the One Piece adaptation.

Standing at 6’5″, David Hopper has a similar build to Franky, and he’s already proven he can convincingly play a physically imposing character as Luther in Umbrella Academy. While that show brought him wider recognition, his previous roles in Black Sails and Game of Thrones make him an ideal choice for One Piece. He’s clearly comfortable playing rebellious pirates, and his impressive acting history speaks for itself. Hopper seems to perfectly fit the bill for Franky, so fans are hoping he gets the opportunity to play the cyborg soon.

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2026-05-11 05:20