Today, we at Knight Edge Media learned exclusively about major characters set to appear in the Naruto live-action movie. Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi, Spider-Man: Brand New Day) wrote and will direct the movie, which is expected to begin filming in early 2027 in the United Kingdom. Lionsgate is currently holding a worldwide search for the three heroes Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. As we have previously revealed, they will be 12-13 in the film and Asian, like the original manga. Team 7’s other ninja classmates (below) appear only in the background of the first act and will most likely be stand-ins until the sequels. We also already know Charles Melton has been cast as Kakashi Hatake. He lives a pretty secluded life with his dogs since the suicide of his father. This could lead to funny moments in future films with Might Guy. Since Guy always wants to be his rival/best bud, and Kakashi just wants to be left alone.
We can reveal that the studio is currently casting Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. They’re looking at several high-profile older Asian actors for the role. Other major manga characters in the movie include Iruka Umino, Mizuki, Haku, and Zabuza Momochi. The film will dive deeper into Sakura’s backstory as we see more of her wealthy mother, Mebuki Haruno. As we previously reported, this film will reveal that her father will be dead since the Nine-Tails attack, as opposed to being alive in the manga. The film will also reveal that Iruka has been living with his grandparents (created specifically for the film), Jiji and Oba, since his parents’ death during the Nine-Tails attack. Ultra-wealthy tycoon Gatō will appear, and his Gatō Shipping Company will also be prominent throughout the movie. Literally described as the Amazon of the Naruto universe. Finally, Naruto’s parents, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, will cameo in the opening minutes of the film during the Nine-Tails Fox attack on the Hidden Leaf Village, just like the opening anime.
Naruto has no set release date
