Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
Lionsgate greenlights live-action Naruto film with Sony as partner
Lionsgate has greenlit a live-action film based on Naruto, the manga created by Masashi Kishimoto.
Sony Pictures will help finance the film and distribute it internationally, while Lionsgate will handle domestic distribution.
Destin Daniel Cretton will write and direct the movie, which follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who hopes to lead his village.
Charles Melton is confirmed to play Kakashi Hatake, a ninja who guides Naruto and his companions, but no actor has been named for the lead role.
The manga ran in Japan from 1999 to 2014 and sold more than 250 million copies across over 60 countries and territories, giving the film a large international fan base.
Filming is expected to start in spring 2027, but the film does not yet have a release date.
Lionsgate has greenlit a live-action film based on Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto manga, with Sony Pictures as a partner.
Sony will co-finance the film and handle international distribution, while Lionsgate will oversee development and production and handle domestic distribution.
Destin Daniel Cretton will write and direct the film.
Production is expected to begin in spring 2027, and no release date has been announced.
Folha reports that Charles Melton is confirmed to play Kakashi Hatake, while the actor for Naruto has not been chosen.
- Who
- Lionsgate and Sony Pictures are partnering on the film. Destin Daniel Cretton will write and direct it.
- What
- Lionsgate has greenlit a live-action Naruto film. Sony will co-finance it and distribute it internationally.
- When
- Production is expected to begin in spring 2027. No release date has been announced.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The film adapts the popular manga by Masashi Kishimoto for audiences around the world.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Naruto was serialized in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump.
Lionsgate confirmed the film’s production and its partnership with Sony Pictures.
Production is expected to begin.
- Source manga
- Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
- Director and writer
- Destin Daniel Cretton
- Sony’s role
- Co-financing and international distribution
- Lionsgate’s role
- Development, production and domestic distribution
- Expected production start
- Spring 2027
- Reported cast
- Charles Melton as Kakashi Hatake; Naruto’s actor has not been chosen
2 sources
What people are saying
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.
Lionsgate has done a masterful job in putting together an A-level adaptation, and we are honored to be chosen as their partner.
As a longtime fan of Naruto, I’ve always loved that beneath the extraordinary action is a story filled with heart, humor, and humanity.