You better believe it! The story of Uzumaki Naruto’s rise to the strongest ninja is set to unfold on the silver screen, and the gears are in motion. The live-action film adaptation of Naruto is launching a worldwide casting search for its three leading stars who will fill the roles of Team 7 — Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
As previously reported, the project is being helmed by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton, who also serves as co-producer and writer. Original series creator, Masashi Kishimoto is overseeing, while Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Emmy Yu, and Jeremy Latcham produce. Additional casting for supporting roles is expected to follow, and no other details were shared.
“Kishimoto-sensei’s stories have inspired generations of fans around the world, and it’s an honour to bring his world and characters to the big screen in live action for the very first time,” shared Cretton in an Instagram post. “I’m thrilled to kick off this worldwide casting search for our Team 7 and to bring the incredible universe of Naruto to life!”
Added Kishimoto, “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!”
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura form the main trio in the series, which is largely regarded as one of the manga/anime heavyweights of all time. It was serialised in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1999 to 2014, and sold over 250 million copies in more than 60 countries and territories during that time. After debuting in 2002, the anime adaptation was succeeded by Naruto Shippuden from 2007 to 2017, before Boruto: Naruto Next Generations shifted the focus to Boruto, Naruto’s son. Not much else is known about the upcoming live-action Naruto movie, and whether it will adapt the events in the source material or follow a new storyline altogether remains unclear.
The project has long been gestating at Lionsgate, dating back to 2015 when the company acquired rights to it. Previously, Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) was reported to be attached, with Tasha Huo, the scribe for Netflix’s Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft animated series, tapped to pen the script.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Ting Wei
