Sony Co-Finances Live-Action Naruto Film, Takes International Rights

Q: With Charles Melton rumored as Kakashi, who will step up to play Naruto in Lionsgate’s upcoming 2027 live-action adaptation?

No actor has been announced yet to play Naruto Uzumaki. What is clear from the reporting is that Lionsgate and director Destin Daniel Cretton are still conducting a global casting search for the core Team 7 roles, including Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Multiple reports say Charles Melton is in final talks or rumored to play Kakashi Hatake, but the title role remains uncast. The Hollywood Reporter and other follow-up coverage indicate the studio is specifically looking for a young actor to lead the film as Naruto, with production targeting spring 2027. That means the answer, for now, is that no one has officially “stepped up” yet. If Melton’s deal closes, he would become the first major cast member publicly attached, while the search for Naruto continues. Kishimoto’s close involvement and Cretton’s emphasis on preserving the character’s underdog spirit suggest the studio is likely to be careful and deliberate with the choice, given Naruto’s global fan base and the franchise’s scale.

3 articles · Updated · MovieWeb · Nov 3

Sony Pictures has joined the live-action Naruto movie as a co-financier and secured international distribution rights, pushing the long-developing adaptation into a new phase.
Lionsgate still leads development and production and will distribute the film domestically, while Destin Daniel Cretton remains attached to direct.
Cretton’s recent track record helped draw Sony in: Spider-Man: Brand New Day grossed $958.9 million domestically and $2.52 billion worldwide.
The project adapts Masashi Kishimoto’s franchise, which previous reports said has sold more than 250 million manga copies and aired in 145-plus countries.