Sony Pictures has found a studio partner for its long-gestating ninja epic. The studio is teaming with Lionsgate on “Naruto,” the live-action adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s bestselling manga, which Destin Daniel Cretton is directing, according to people with knowledge of the deal. The arrangement, which has not been formally announced, marks a notable shift in how Sony intends to mount one of its more ambitious franchise bets.
The project adapts Kishimoto’s story of an outcast in a village of ninjas who sets out to become the leader and strongest warrior of his home. Sony has been developing the film for years, and bringing Lionsgate aboard signals a shared financial and distribution commitment rather than a retreat. The film is English-language and set up as a Hollywood production, with Cretton directing.
Charles Melton, whose recent credits have positioned him among the more sought-after young actors in town, is attached to play Kakashi Hatake. Kakashi is one of the manga’s most recognizable figures, a masked, silver-haired mentor whose cool demeanor and formidable skill have made him a fan favorite. Casting him is a meaningful signal about how the filmmakers intend to anchor the ensemble.
For Cretton, “Naruto” continues a career built on balancing intimate character work with large-scale spectacle. He broke out with “Short Term 12” and later directed “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” for Marvel. That film’s success demonstrated his ability to introduce a new mythology to a mass audience while keeping the emotional stakes grounded.
H2: A Franchise Built on a Global Fanbase
The underlying property remains a potent draw. Kishimoto’s manga, which ran for years in Weekly Shonen Jump, spawned a sprawling anime franchise and a global following that has only grown since the story concluded. Fans have long debated what a faithful live-action take would require, particularly when it comes to the series’ signature jutsu and hand-to-hand combat.
Sony’s interest in that audience is obvious. What Lionsgate brings to the table is less about creative direction than about resources and risk-sharing on a title that will require significant visual effects work. Neither studio has commented on the terms, and key details, including a budget and a release date, remain unannounced.
The film’s genre positioning is firmly action-adventure, aimed at the broad four-quadrant audience that has made manga adaptations a recurring bet in Hollywood. The track record in that space is mixed, with some titles finding devoted audiences and others struggling to translate serialized storytelling into a two-hour format.
H2: A Cautious Timeline
There is no release date set, and production timelines are not public. That caution is understandable given the scale of the undertaking. Adaptations of this kind often spend years in development, and the involvement of a second studio can accelerate or complicate that process depending on how responsibilities are divided. For now, the collaboration is best read as a commitment of confidence from two studios that see a path to a theatrical event.
Cretton remains a busy filmmaker, and the scheduling of “Naruto” will inevitably be watched closely by fans eager for any sign of momentum. The director has spoken in the past about his affection for stories centered on outsiders finding their place, a theme that maps neatly onto the source material.
Melton’s casting as Kakashi is the only confirmed role so far, and the rest of the ensemble will be scrutinized as closely as any effects shot. The character’s popularity means expectations will be high, both for the performance and for how faithfully the adaptation captures the mentor’s place in the larger story.
For Sony, the partnership extends a strategy of building franchises from established intellectual property while leaning on collaborators to shoulder part of the load. For Lionsgate, it is an opportunity to attach itself to a globally recognized title with a built-in audience. Whether the two studios can deliver a film that satisfies longtime readers and newcomers alike is the question that will define the project.
No further casting or production details have been confirmed. Hollywood Buzz News will continue to follow the project as it develops.
Source: Hollywood Reporter