Taking on a long-established manga villain comes with its own set of challenges, especially when that character is as visually distinctive as Mr. 3. For David Dastmalchian, joining One Piece Season 2 meant committing to a full physical transformation in order to bring the wax-based antagonist to life.
The live-action series continues to move deeper into the Grand Line under the close supervision of creator Eiichiro Oda, who has emphasized the importance of faithful casting and visual accuracy throughout production.
During an interview, Dastmalchian revealed that achieving Mr. 3’s smooth, candle-like appearance required shaving all body hair, a decision driven by his desire to maintain visual consistency on screen. Combined with hours of daily hair and makeup work, the process helped preserve the exaggerated, stylized look fans associate with the character.
Committing to Mr. 3’s Waxed Look
Also known as Galdino, Mr. 3 is far from a typical villain. His Wax-Wax abilities allow him to sculpt elaborate traps and structures, giving him a polished, artificial aesthetic that needed to translate convincingly into live action.
Dastmalchian said the transformation involved several hours in the makeup chair each day, with careful attention paid to skin tone, prosthetics, and costume alignment. The production team also worked extensively on his signature “3” hairstyle, ensuring it held up from every camera angle.
Because Dastmalchian describes himself as naturally very hairy, shaving completely became a practical necessity rather than a cosmetic choice. The goal was to avoid anything that might distract from the character’s sculpted appearance.
The daily routine was demanding, but the actor credited the hair, makeup, costume, and effects departments for keeping the process efficient and supportive. While he avoided sharing technical specifics about how certain elements were achieved, he noted that the team went to great lengths to keep him comfortable during long preparation sessions.
Beyond the physical changes, Dastmalchian also studied both subtitled and dubbed anime performances, along with the original manga, to better understand Mr. 3’s posture and personality. Still, he avoided direct imitation, aiming instead to preserve key traits while crafting his own interpretation.
He described Mr. 3 as calm, artistic, and methodical, someone whose menace comes from quiet confidence rather than overt aggression. That mindset carried into scenes involving the character’s massive wax candelabra, which was built practically on set to add weight and realism to the performance.
For Dastmalchian, the transformation went beyond wardrobe and makeup. It was about fully inhabiting a character who balances theatrical absurdity with calculated cruelty, a tonal shift that signals darker territory for the series.
As One Piece prepares to introduce Mr. 3 to live-action audiences, Dastmalchian’s commitment reflects the broader approach behind Season 2: honoring the source material while embracing the scale and eccentricity that define the franchise.
“The hair and makeup team on One Piece is incredible. The special effects team, the costume team, everybody. I mean, the set is amazing. Wait till you see this season. You’re going to freak out.”
