Believe it! The long-gestating live-action Naruto movie is finally picking up serious momentum. After years of development whispers, the adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's beloved manga and anime series has secured a major studio partner and a concrete production timeline that should have fans counting down the days.
According to a new report, Sony Pictures has officially come aboard as a co-producer alongside Lionsgate, winning a competitive bidding war that drew interest from multiple studios. This pairing makes perfect sense, given that Sony already has a strong relationship with director Destin Daniel Cretton, who helmed their massive hit Spider-Man: Brand New Day last summer. Cretton, who also directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is set to write and direct the Naruto film, bringing his proven action chops to the Hidden Leaf Village.
The casting board is still mostly under wraps, but one name has already been confirmed: Charles Melton, known for his role in May December, will play the iconic ninja mentor Kakashi Hatake. The search is currently underway for the titular hero, a young ninja trainee who also happens to be the host of a rampaging nine-tailed fox that once threatened his home village. It's a role that will require both youthful energy and dramatic depth, so expect a high-profile casting announcement in the coming months.
This partnership also opens up intriguing possibilities for cross-promotion, as Sony owns Crunchyroll, the largest anime streaming platform in North America. That could mean a coordinated marketing push that brings the anime's massive fanbase directly to theaters. The film will be produced by Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu under the Arad Productions banner, with Cretton and Jeyun Munford producing for his Hisako label.
For Cretton, this is just one of several high-profile projects on his plate. He's also attached to direct a big-screen adaptation of Hawaii Five-O, a project that's particularly personal since he's a native of Hawaii. Additionally, both Sony and Disney are courting him to direct the next installment in the Tom Holland Spider-Man series. However, not everything is moving forward: his satirical superhero series Wonder Man was un-renewed at Disney despite a second-season pickup, a casualty of recent cost-cutting measures.
As for when we'll see the live-action Naruto on the big screen, production is expected to begin in spring 2027, with no release date announced yet. That puts it in line with other highly anticipated anime adaptations, and fans are already buzzing about the potential. If you're looking for more anime action to tide you over, check out our list of the most anticipated action anime of 2027.
With a proven director, a strong studio partnership, and a beloved source material, this Naruto movie has all the ingredients to be a major event. Stay tuned for more updates as casting and production details emerge.
