One Piece Live Action Almost Had Three Different Versions

Bringing the vast world of One Piece to life was no small task. Showrunner Steven Maeda recently shared that the production team faced tough budget discussions with Netflix early on. These talks were so intense that the creators had to draft three different versions of the series to see what could actually work on screen.

One of those proposed versions would have been much cheaper to produce than the final result fans know today. Maeda spoke about these creative challenges during a panel at TIFFCOM on October 28, 2026. The goal was always to balance the high expectations of the massive fan base with the financial realities of such a grand project.

It is fascinating to imagine how a tighter budget might have changed the look and feel of the Straw Hat crew's journey. Fans are just lucky that the team found a way to deliver the version we see now. With production on future seasons moving forward, it is clear that Netflix is now fully invested in this adaptation.