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.
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6h ago
Lionsgate has opened a worldwide casting search for the three lead roles in its live-action film adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto manga, the franchise's official website announced on July 10. The studio is seeking actors for Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, the three members of Team 7. Casting for other characters will be announced at a later date. Destin Daniel Cretton, director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is directing the film and producing through his company Hisako alongside Jeyun Munford. Producers include Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu of Arad Productions, as well as Jeremy Latcham. In a statement, Cretton said he was honored to bring Kishimoto's world to the big screen in live action for the first time. Kishimoto also commented, saying he could not believe the film is becoming a Hollywood movie and that he is looking forward to meeting the actors who will play his characters. 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.
2d ago
Lionsgate has started a worldwide casting search for the main roles of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno in the Hollywood live-action film adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's manga Naruto. The announcement was made on July 10, 2026, via the official Naruto website and social media. Destin Daniel Cretton, director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is attached to direct. Casting for additional characters will be announced sequentially. The project was first announced in 2016 but had remained in development with few public updates. Original creator Masashi Kishimoto released a statement expressing excitement, saying he hopes for "further miracles" and looks forward to "miraculous encounters with passionate and wonderful actors." The manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014 and has a massive global fanbase. Cretton also posted on his Instagram, calling it an honor to bring the world to the big screen for the first time as a live-action film.