The long-discussed live-action Naruto movie has taken its biggest step forward yet. Sony Pictures is officially joining Lionsgate to co-finance the film and handle its international release, with production now set to begin in spring 2027. The project, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, has been greenlit by Lionsgate after a competitive multi-studio bidding situation. For a franchise that has sold over 250 million manga copies across more than 60 countries, the move marks the clearest sign that a Hollywood version of Naruto Uzumaki’s story is finally moving ahead.
Sony and Lionsgate Join Forces for Naruto
Lionsgate will continue to lead development and production on the film and will handle domestic distribution in the United States. Sony Pictures will co-finance the movie and manage international distribution across global markets. The arrangement follows a heated bidding process among multiple studios, with Sony coming out on top.
Sony’s appeal for this particular project goes beyond its deep pockets. The studio is headquartered in Japan and owns Crunchyroll, one of the largest anime streaming services in the world. Crunchyroll already streams several Naruto franchise series, making Sony a natural fit for a property rooted so deeply in Japanese pop culture.
Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, explained why Sony was the right partner:
“With their deep expertise in manga and anime and global distribution prowess, Sony Pictures is a perfect partner for Naruto, and we’re thrilled to join forces with Tom Rothman and his team to bring this extraordinary property to audiences around the world. We share an enormous ambition for Naruto and a commitment to making this a truly global cinematic event that stays true to what millions of existing fans love and invites so many more to embrace what makes it truly special.”
Tom Rothman, CEO and chairman of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group, returned the praise:
“Lionsgate has done a masterful job in putting together an A-level adaptation, and we are honored to be chosen as their partner. Not to mention, we had a sweet success this summer with Destin and are delighted to be back in his capable hands.”
Destin Daniel Cretton Leads the Project
Destin Daniel Cretton is writing, directing and producing the Naruto movie. He is coming off the massive global success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which earned $2.5 billion worldwide and became the third-highest-grossing film in history. Cretton previously directed Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, a film that showed his ability to blend large-scale action with character-driven storytelling.
Cretton signed a three-year first-look producing deal with Sony Pictures in September 2026, which made Sony the likely frontrunner to land the Naruto partnership. The filmmaker has spoken about his personal connection to the source material:
“As a longtime fan of Naruto, I’ve always loved that beneath the extraordinary action is a story filled with heart, humor, and humanity. Kishimoto-sensei created a world where unlikely heroes do extraordinary things, and that’s what makes it so special. Lionsgate has been an incredible partner, and I’m thrilled to reunite with the fantastic team at Sony. Together, we’re committed to capturing everything fans love about Naruto while introducing it to a whole new generation. I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’re creating.”
The screenplay was co-written by Tasha Huo, known for her work on The Mighty Nein and the Tomb Raider animated series. Huo confirmed that her script draft was completed, with Cretton adding his own revisions before filming begins.
Masashi Kishimoto’s Involvement and Approval
Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, is closely involved with the film and has publicly backed Cretton’s vision. When Cretton was first attached to the project in February 2024, Kishimoto said he was impressed by the director’s action filmmaking and his ability to build character-driven drama. The manga creator also noted Cretton’s openness to incorporating his input during the adaptation process.
Kishimoto shared a message on the official Naruto website when the global casting search launched in July 2026:
“Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another. My work, Naruto, is truly, truly becoming a Hollywood movie! And an even greater miracle is that the film will be directed by the one and only Destin Daniel Cretton. I still cannot believe it! If so many miracles have already come together, then let us hope for even more. I am eagerly looking forward to the miraculous encounters that will bring us extraordinary and passionate actors! I cannot wait to meet my characters in the film!”
The original manga ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, spanning 700 chapters collected across 72 volumes. The anime adaptation reached audiences in more than 145 countries and territories.
Casting Search and Charles Melton Reports
No cast members have been officially confirmed for the film. In July 2026, the franchise’s official website announced a worldwide casting search for the three central members of Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. Casting for other characters will follow.
Charles Melton, known for Riverdale and Beef, has been reported to be in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake, the mentor figure to Team 7. The reports surfaced in August 2026 and have not been officially confirmed by Lionsgate or Sony.
Fan reaction to the potential casting has been mixed. Some voiced a preference for Japanese actors in the role. One user wrote on X, “i thought they would use japanese actors but, okay”. Others suggested alternatives, with one comment reading, “Why not Mackenyu Arata?”. These reactions reflect a broader conversation among anime fans about representation in live-action adaptations.
Story Details and Reported Changes
Cretton has spoken about his approach to the story, focusing on Naruto’s feelings of being an outsider:
“I think his journey in the story that we are going to tell is something that I find very personal not only culturally, but emotionally. His trajectory, his feelings of being an outsider, the feeling of having an ugliness or a monster or some part of you that you’re ashamed of, and then coming to realize that’s the part that makes you unique, that gives you your power, that is a story that feels very close to me.”
The film is expected to draw from the early chapters of the manga, with reports pointing to the Land of Waves arc as a possible foundation. That arc marks the first major mission for Team 7 and introduces key themes of friendship, sacrifice and loyalty.
Unconfirmed reports from industry insider Daniel Richtman have suggested several changes to the source material. These include Sakura having advanced combat abilities from the start and coming from a wealthy family that lost her father during the Nine-Tails attack, Sasuke harboring romantic feelings for Sakura, the Jinchuriki ability being tied to bloodline, and Naruto being written as a student of ninja history. None of these details have been verified by the filmmakers or studio.
Fan response to these reported changes has been divided. Some expressed concern on social media. A user noted, “Sasuke having a crush on Sakura is very out of character”. Another commented, “tf is a history nerd”. These reactions show that the fanbase is watching closely and has strong opinions about how faithful the adaptation should be.
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No Release Date Yet
The film does not have a confirmed theatrical release date. Neither Lionsgate nor Sony has announced a specific start date for production beyond the spring 2027 window. If filming begins on schedule, a 2028 release is a realistic possibility, though nothing official has been set.
Production is expected to take place after Cretton completes his commitments to the Spider-Man franchise. The filmmaker’s deal with Sony and his track record with large-scale blockbusters have positioned Naruto as one of the most closely watched Hollywood projects heading into production.
Also Read: Naruto x Ninku Crossover Anime Confirmed: Four-Episode Series Brings Team 7 Into A New World
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