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Live-Action Naruto Film Launches Global Casting Search for Team 7

After nearly a decade of development and multiple script iterations, the Naruto live-action film has moved into active casting, the clearest sign yet that the project is progressing toward production.

Key Facts

  • Lionsgate and director Destin Daniel Cretton launched a global casting search for the roles of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno on July 10, 2026.
  • The film is a live-action adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto manga, which ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014.
  • Destin Daniel Cretton directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and is also attached to direct Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
  • Original creator Masashi Kishimoto commented on the casting search, calling the film's development a 'miracle' and expressing anticipation for the actors.
  • Casting for characters other than Team 7 will be announced at a later date.

Reporting from 7 sources: Anime News Network, KAI-YOU, Denfaminicogamer, Cinema Today, and 3 more.

Live-Action Naruto Film Launches Global Casting Search for Team 7

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.

The casting call specifically targets the three members of Team 7, the core unit of the series' early story, led by the Hidden Leaf Village ninja Kakashi Hatake. Director Destin Daniel Cretton, who also directed the Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and is attached to direct the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, described the search as a global effort. In a statement, Cretton said, 'Kishimoto-sensei's story has inspired generations of fans around the world, and it is an honor to bring his world and characters to the big screen in live action for the very first time.'

Original creator Masashi Kishimoto echoed the excitement, writing that 'miracles keep happening to me one after another' and that he 'cannot wait to meet my characters in the film.' The film is produced by Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu of Arad Productions, as well as Jeremy Latcham. Cretton is also producing through his company Hisako alongside Jeyun Munford. The announcement marks the first major production milestone since the project was first reported in 2015, when Lionsgate closed the rights to adapt the manga. Multiple writers have been attached over the years, including Jon and Erich Hoeber in 2017 and Tasha Huo as of late 2023. Casting for characters beyond Team 7 will be announced sequentially in the future.

Synthesized by Yomimono from the 7 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.

Naruto Lionsgate

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