Today, director Destin Daniel Cretton announced that his long-in-development Naruto live-action movie is officially in pre-production after he finished work on Spider-Man: Brand New Day. He announced in a social media post that, alongside Lionsgate, he will hold an open worldwide casting search for the members of Team 7, including Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. The previous iteration of this film was also going to hold an open casting call before it was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He added in a statement: “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. I’m thrilled to kick off this worldwide casting search for our Team 7 and to bring the incredible universe of Naruto to life!”
Original manga writer Masashi Kishimoto added, “Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another. 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!” It’s currently unknown when this film will take place in the canon, whether it will take place when the team is 12, like in the original Naruto series, or when they are 16 in Naruto: Shippuden. Avatar: The Last Airbender star Dallas Liu mentioned in 2024 that he wanted a chance to play the anti-hero Itachi Uchiha if the live-action film were ever made (via The Direct). We at Knight Edge Media heard earlier this year that production could begin as early as this fall.
Naruto has no set release date
Global casting begins in preparation for the Naruto Movie!
Read Masashi Kishimoto’s comments on the official site!Plus, check the reply to this post for director Destin Daniel Cretton’s Instagram!
NARUTO OFFICIAL SITE:https://t.co/DsBRhSuGov#NarutoMovie#NARUTO pic.twitter.com/I3dgeSwTX8
— NARUTO OFFICIAL (@NARUTO_info_en) July 9, 2026
Source: IGN