Lionsgate has opened a worldwide casting search for the lead roles in its live-action Naruto film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, moving the long-in-development project into active pre-production.
Lionsgate's live-action adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto manga has reached its first concrete production milestone. In July 2026, the studio launched a global casting search for the three lead roles of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, the members of Team 7. The casting call was announced via the official Naruto website and social media on July 10, marking the first public update on the project since it was first announced in 2016.
Destin Daniel Cretton, director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is attached to direct and produce through his company Hisako alongside Jeyun Munford. Producers include Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu of Arad Productions, as well as Jeremy Latcham. Tasha Huo was reported to be working on the script as of November 2023. Lionsgate first secured the rights to adapt the manga in 2015, and Cretton was announced as director in 2024.
Both Cretton and Kishimoto released statements expressing excitement about the film. Kishimoto said he could not believe the film is becoming a Hollywood movie and looks forward to meeting the actors who will play his characters. Casting for other characters will be announced at a later date. The manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/lionsgate.
CC BY 4.0.
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.