Sony Joins Lionsgate's Live-Action Naruto as Co-Financier
Sony is co-financing and handling international distribution for Lionsgate's live-action Naruto film, with production greenlit to start in spring 2027.
1 source 9h ago
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
Why it matters
A second major studio sharing cost and overseas distribution on a manga adaptation that has been in development since 2015 gives Lionsgate a partner on the riskiest part of the bet, the international rollout.
Key Facts
- Sony is co-financing and handling international distribution for Lionsgate's live-action Naruto film, following multi-studio bidding.
- The film is greenlit to begin production in spring 2027.
- Destin Daniel Cretton directs and produces through Hisako alongside Jeyun Munford.
- The Naruto franchise's official website announced a global casting search on July 10 for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura.
- The Hollywood Reporter previously reported Charles Melton in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake.
Destin Daniel Cretton directs and produces through Hisako with Jeyun Munford, alongside Arad Productions' Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu, and Jeremy Latcham. The franchise opened a global casting search in July for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Charles Melton was previously reported in final negotiations for Kakashi Hatake.
The Hollywood Reporter put Sony on the financing and international distribution side of the Lionsgate project, which follows multi-studio bidding. Destin Daniel Cretton, whose credits include Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, directs and produces through Hisako with Jeyun Munford; Arad Productions' Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu and Jeremy Latcham are also producers.
Casting has been the visible part of the work. The official site announced a global search on July 10 for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura, with other roles to follow, and Charles Melton was earlier reported in final negotiations for Kakashi Hatake.
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