Released on Netflix on August 31, 2023, the One Piece live-action series, based on Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga of the same name, narrated the adventures of young pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his crew as they search for treasure. Thereafter, much like the popular anime, even the live-action adaptation emerged as a standout hit, capturing its essence while delivering thrilling new content.
Now, with reports of Netflix planning on expanding the universe, fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter of this swashbuckling adventure. That’s when speculation about potential castings for future characters became a hot topic. Among the names floating in fan circles is Russian model Lera Abova, who has garnered attention for her striking resemblance to Nico Robin, following Natalia Prieto’s audition.
Russian Model Lera Abova Became Fan-Favorite Choice to Play Nico Robin
Following the success of One Piece live-action season 1, Netflix immediately announced their production for season 2. With the confirmation of Tony Tony Chopper and Captain Smoker making their live-action debuts in the upcoming season, fans got hooked on the rumor of another character’s introduction in the next chapter.
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Apparently, it has been speculated that the sixth Straw Hat member in One Piece, Nico Robin, might appear in the next installment. Considering how the character has a lot of depth and emotional baggage, netizens are excited to see who might bring such nuance to the screen in the live-action adaptation.
Amid the excitement surrounding the character, fans surprisingly came across a Russian model Lera Abova, whose ethereal beauty and poised demeanor seemed to embody the very spirit of Nico Robin. However, despite speculations surrounding her potential role in One Piece live-action, there has been no official confirmation about her appearance.
The speculation surrounding Lera Abova began after production members were noticed following her, similar to other Season 2 cast members before their official announcements. However, this doesn’t confirm if the model will appear in the next season, especially since Abova has a significant challenge looming over her potential casting: her lack of extensive acting experience.
Natalia Prieto’s Nico Robin Audition Has Been Snubbed by the Manga Fans
While fans are mesmerized by her looks that’s making her an ideal candidate, Lera Abova’s lack of extensive experience in acting might be a major gamble for Netflix. Considering how Nico Robin is a character with an intricate backstory and significant emotional depth, that requires a careful balance of talent and experience, Abova might fail to bring the range of emotions and dramatics to the scenes.
Therefore, the Russian model’s casting could be a double-edged sword for Netflix. On one hand, Lera Abova’s fresh presence might bring a unique flair to the role. On the other hand, the success of Season 1 has made it crucial for Netflix to ensure that its casting choices align with the series’ established standards. This brings us to the previous candidate who made rounds for her audition as Nico Robin.
According to Natalia Prieto’s official Instagram account, the actress had uploaded a video of her auditioning for the role of Nico Robin, where she was seen playing the ‘I want to live’ scene. The actress undoubtedly did a great job of grasping the character’s core and showcasing her emotional side. Prieto’s eyes did most of the acting, and it was phenomenal enough to make anyone cry.
However, despite her impeccable performance, fans were not convinced of Natalia Prieto, especially because of her age. Considering how Nico Robin looks younger than her age in the manga, netizens claimed that Prieto was missing it. Moreover, compared to the other live-action Straw Hats members, the actress looked older even in the audition video.
Therefore, considering the underlying issues with both Natalia Prieto (her age) and Lera Abova (her lack of acting experience), it seems that Netflix might indeed face difficulty in casting an actor for the role. This is why there have been rumors that Nico Robin might not debut in One Piece live-action season 2. Considering how it’s taking time to find the perfect fit for the role, the character might debut in season three.
One Piece is currently available to watch on Netflix.
