The live-action Naruto movie is finally happening, for real

It’s been over 10 years since Lionsgate first secured the rights to bring the hugely popular manga franchise, Narutoon the big screen. More than two years have passed since then Shang-Chi and Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton joined the project. But now, finally, with Cretton done with his latest film, the wait is over. Naruto is officially on its way.

On Thursday, Cretton announced on social media that casting has begun for the franchise’s main characters Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura, aka Team 7. « Kishimoto-sensei’s stories have inspired generations of fans around the world, and it’s an honor to bring his world and characters to the big screen in live action for the first time, » he wrote. « I’m excited to begin this worldwide casting search for our Team 7 and bring the amazing Naruto universe to life! »

« Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another, » Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto said in a press release. « My work, Narutoit really, really turns into a hollywood movie! And an even bigger miracle is that the film will be directed by the one and only Destin Daniel Cretton. I still can’t believe it! If so many miracles have already gathered, let us hope for more. I look forward to the wonderful encounters that extraordinary and passionate actors will bring us! I can’t wait to meet my characters in the film!”

Naruto was first published in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, and since then its popularity has steadily grown thanks to anime adaptations, video games, feature-length animated films, and more. But it never had a big-budget live-action Hollywood adaptation. Until now.

With full casting effect you can imagine this Naruto probably looking at some production in 2027. Maybe then we’ll see it in theaters in 2028? But this is just speculation. Who do you think should play the members of Team 7? Will this really work? Let us know below.

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