The highly anticipated One Piece live-action adaptation has found its Crocodile, the infamous Warlord of the Sea and key antagonist of the Alabasta Arc. Joe Manganiello, known for his roles as Deathstroke in Zack Snyder’s DC Universe, Magic Mike, and Flash Thompson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films, has been officially cast to portray the sand-manipulating villain. Fans can expect Manganiello’s imposing presence to bring Crocodile to life, complete with the pirate’s formidable Devil Fruit powers.
Many One Piece fans had speculated about this casting after Manganiello was announced as the host of this year’s Netflix Geeked Week, but there had been no official confirmation—until now. In what appears to be a slip by Netflix, it was revealed that Manganiello will be joining the cast for the second season of the live-action series. While the season might not cover the entirety of the Alabasta Arc, the introduction of Crocodile hints at his bigger role to come in future episodes. Fans can look forward to Manganiello’s portrayal, especially when Luffy’s climactic battle with Crocodile eventually arrives—likely in a potential third season.
Who Is Crocodile?
For those unfamiliar with One Piece, Crocodile is one of the series’ most iconic villains. As a pirate Warlord, Crocodile schemes to seize control of Alabasta, a desert kingdom. Rather than using brute force, he initially presents himself as a hero to the people, gaining their trust while secretly manipulating events to overthrow the kingdom’s ruler, King Cobra. Behind the scenes, he uses his criminal organization, Baroque Works, to further his plans.
Crocodile’s power comes from the Suna Suna no Mi, a Devil Fruit that allows him to manipulate, create, and transform into sand. This ability makes him a fearsome opponent, as he has honed his skills to make his powers as lethal as possible. His mastery over sand proves to be a significant challenge for Luffy, who will eventually face Crocodile in an unforgettable battle—though that confrontation may not take place until a later season of the live-action series.
Joe Manganiello’s Future in One Piece
Without giving away major spoilers, Crocodile’s story doesn’t end with the Alabasta Arc. Series creator Eiichiro Oda has woven Crocodile into the future of the One Piece saga, so fans can expect to see more of the Warlord in subsequent seasons—if Netflix continues adapting the series. Crocodile and the mysterious Cross Guild organization play key roles in later arcs, promising more conflicts for Luffy and his crew.
Joining Manganiello in Season Two is Lera Abova as Nico Robin, also known as Miss All Sunday. Robin eventually becomes a vital member of Luffy’s Straw Hat crew, and her journey begins during the Alabasta Arc, after the arrival of Tony Tony Chopper.
Stay tuned for more updates on One Piece live-action casting and news as the adventure on Netflix’s Grand Line continues to unfold.