Lionsgate is steering the live-action Naruto film through a global casting search for Team 7 while negotiating with Charles Melton for the role of Kakashi, with filming targeted around February 2027. Separately, Lionsgate is Toei Animation's new U.S. distribution partner for anime projects, starting with the Monkey Quest film in 2027.
Lionsgate's two anime-facing projects have moved at different speeds. The live-action Naruto film, in development since Lionsgate secured the rights in 2015, opened a global casting search on July 10, 2026 for the three members of Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. Director Destin Daniel Cretton, who directs and produces through his company Hisako, said in a statement that Masashi Kishimoto's story has inspired generations of fans and that he is thrilled to begin the search. Kishimoto released a comment calling the film's development a series of miracles and saying he looks forward to meeting the actors who will bring his characters to life. Casting for additional characters will be announced later.
Six weeks later, the film moved to individual deals. Charles Melton entered final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake. Filming is targeted around February 2027, which would put the production roughly a year after the casting search opened. A release date and filming schedule have not been announced.
Lionsgate's second anime line runs through distribution. The studio is partnering with Toei Animation as its U.S. distribution partner for anime projects, beginning with the Monkey Quest film in 2027. Lionsgate will be considered for future co-productions with Toei. Monkey Quest is a 2D-3D hybrid loosely based on Journey to the West, in post-production and aiming for a 2027 release; Charades handles distribution worldwide outside the U.S.
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Lionsgate is partnering with Toei Animation as its new U.S. distribution partner for anime projects, beginning with the Monkey Quest film in 2027. The company will be considered for future co-productions with Toei. The film, a 2D-3D hybrid loosely based on Journey to the West, is in post-production and aiming for a 2027 release. Charades will distribute the film worldwide outside the U.S.
Charles Melton is in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake in the Hollywood live-action film of Masashi Kishimoto's manga Naruto, handled by Lionsgate. Destin Daniel Cretton directs. A worldwide casting search for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura began last month. Filming is targeted around February 2027.
Lionsgate and director Destin Daniel Cretton have opened a global casting search for the three main roles in the live-action Hollywood adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto manga. The search targets Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, the members of Team 7. The announcement was made on July 10, 2026, via the official Naruto franchise website. Director Cretton said in a statement that Kishimoto's story has inspired generations of fans worldwide and that he is thrilled to begin the search. Original author Masashi Kishimoto released a comment expressing excitement, calling the film's development a series of miracles and saying he looks forward to meeting the actors who will bring his characters to life. Casting for additional characters will be announced at a later date. The film is in pre-production and has been in development since Lionsgate secured the rights in 2015. Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is directing and producing through his company Hisako. Tasha Huo was reported to be working on the script as of November 2023. A release date and filming schedule have not been announced.