Jamie Lee Curtis: actress, writer, baroness, and apparently, otaku. Her career has spanned over four decades now, starting with her breakout role as Laurie Strode in Halloween (1978). She's known by moviegoers and TV watchers alike as the greatest scream queen, but nothing about her would have led anyone to believe that she has an interest in anime.
Curtis doesn't just like any anime either, she's into One Piece. She has said that if she could be any character in any show, it would be Nico Robin. This statement alone implies at least a moderate knowledge about a series that requires a serious commitment for any newcomers. It also raises the question of which characters from the long-running series she would actually be a good fit to play. Here's an overview of the events leading up to this revelation and possible answers to the questions it raises.
The statement comes from a 2016 San Diego Comic-Con panel for Scream Queens Season 2. A member of the audience, Grace from Maryland, posed the following question to the cast: "If you were to become anyone from any TV show, who would you be?" Curtis replied with the following response: "I'd be Nico Robin from One Piece." She didn't get to elaborate on this statement, but she did receive thunderous applause for it.
The implications of Curtis talking about One Piece like this are mind-boggling. Nico Robin may be something of a household name among the anime community, she's not nearly as well-known to mainstream audiences. Not even Curtis' co-star, Emma Roberts, knew who the character was. This should come as no surprise since Robin isn't even formally introduced in the series until Chapter 114 of the manga and Episode 67 of the anime. The only other place her name might be heard is in a character bio or a later part of the series, though it's ill-advised to jump onto a series as long as One Piece so far into its story. Curtis' familiarity with Robin suggests that an investment in One Piece that's more than just a passing interest.
Another thing that comes up based on Curtis' statement is who she might be able to portray if she were to act in a One Piece adaptation. The original question is who she would want to be though, not who she could play. However, as an actress, the former question has to be asked about her.
Unfortunately, it's difficult to say that Curtis would be a good fit to play Nico Robin. As far as live-action goes, the archaeologist is out of the actress's age range bar any creative reworking. It might be possible if she's only doing voice work for an animated version of the character, though that role is already filled in America by Stephanie Young. This performance is possible but unlikely.
Even if Curtis can't play a live-action version of Nico Robin, there are a few other One Piece characters she would be a good fit for. The first that comes to mind is Dr. Kureha, a hot-blooded woman who acts at least 100 years younger than she actually is. There's also the stern Marine Vice Admiral, "Great Staff Officer" Tsuru. Both of these women look closer to Curtis' age and she has the acting chops to portray either of them accurately.
Jamie Lee Curtis' apparent interest in One Piece is a surprise to be sure. It is clear from even her brief statement shows both a familiarity with and an understanding of the work. Seeing her in the series somehow would be a real treat. Oda likes modeling characters after actors, so maybe he could find a place for Curtis, too.
