Mashle Live-Action Director Offered Mackenyu The Lead Role Just 5 Seconds After Getting Adaptation Rights

Director Yuichi Fukuda revealed that he offered Mackenyu the lead role in the upcoming live-action Mashle: Magic and Muscles film just five seconds after receiving permission to adapt Hajime Komoto’s manga.

Mackenyu will play Mash Burnedead in the film, which is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on March 19, 2027.

The casting announcement was made on Nov. 5, alongside the release of the film’s teaser trailer and visual.

Warner Bros. and Fuji TV are overseeing the project, and Credeus is producing it. It will be distributed by Toho.

Speaking about the casting, Fukuda revealed that he immediately fell in love with Mash’s character after reading the manga.

The director was particularly drawn to the series’ combination of an overwhelmingly powerful introverted protagonist and its trademark comedy, as well as its embodiment of the classic Weekly Shonen Jump themes of friendship, effort and victory.

He recalled contacting the actor just five seconds after receiving permission for the adaptation, asking, “How long will the filming of One Piece take?“

Mackenyu currently portrays Roronoa Zoro in Netflix’s live-action One Piece series. Fukuda added that he was relieved their schedules eventually worked out.

The director also praised Mackenyu’s commitment to the role, revealing that the actor arrived on the eve of filming with a muscular upper body and an extremely slim lower body, which he described as the perfect physique for Mash.

Mackenyu Spent 3 Years Building Mash’s Physique For The Film:

Mackenyu, meanwhile, disclosed that he had spent approximately three years building his physique for the character, beginning his training on the day he received the offer.

Since Mash is incapable of using magic in a world where magical abilities determine a person’s social standing, his extraordinary physical strength becomes his only weapon.

“I worked on building a physique that would be convincing enough for the fans to accept,” the actor said.

He also expressed his hope that audiences would appreciate the results of his preparation when they see the film on the big screen.

Original creator Hajime Komoto also shared his reaction to the adaptation, admitting that he was initially surprised when he heard the news.

After visiting the filming location, he was particularly impressed by the sets and Mackenyu’s physical transformation.

“I still vividly remember visiting the filming set and being blown away by the sets and how incredibly well-defined Mackenyu-san’s muscles were. My own pectoral muscles started twitching on both sides!! And to think that Warner Bros., the studio behind that magical world, would be producing this film… I’m so excited and nervous that my legs might cramp up!!

I’m sure seeing this film will make you want to hit the gym! Please come and watch it in theaters!!”

Mashle: Magic and Muscles was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from January 2020 to July 2023.

An anime television adaptation by A-1 Pictures premiered in April 2023, with its second season airing from January to March 2024. The third season is scheduled to premiere in January 2027.

Source: Oricon