Over 10 years have passed since Lionsgate first secured the rights to bring the hugely popular manga franchise, Naruto, to the big screen. Over two years have passed since Shang-Chi and Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton signed on to the project. But now, finally, with Cretton finished with his latest film, the waiting is over. Naruto is officially on the way.
Thursday, Cretton announced on social media that casting for the franchise’s lead characters of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, also known as Team 7, has begun. “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 very first time,” he wrote. “I’m thrilled to kick off this worldwide casting search for our Team 7 and to bring the incredible universe of Naruto to life!”
“Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another,” Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto said in a press release. “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 was first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1999 and has seen its popularity rise consistently ever since, thanks to an anime adaptation, video games, feature-length animated films, and more. But it’s never had a big-budget, live-action Hollywood adaptation. Until now.
With casting in full effect, you can imagine that Naruto is likely eyeing some sort of 2027 production. Maybe then we’ll see it in theaters in 2028? But that’s just speculation. Who do you think should play the members of Team 7? Is this actually going to work? Let us know below.
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