Naruto, one of the most beloved Japanese mangas, is set to receive the live-action treatment on the silver screen, courtesy of Lionsgate and director/writer Destin Daniel Cretton. The announcement, made on Friday, offered few details about Cretton’s vision for Naruto fans. Cretton, known for his work on Marvel Studios’ “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” will not only direct but also produce the film, alongside Jeremy Latcham, Jeyun Munford, and his production company, Hisako. Additionally, Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu from Arad Productions are on board as part of the production team. The Naruto film adaptation has been in development since 2015, and Cretton’s involvement marks a significant step forward in bringing it to fruition. Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, expressed his approval of Cretton’s involvement, stating that he gave his blessing after meeting with Cretton in Tokyo, Japan.
“Naruto” chronicles the journey of Naruto Uzumaki, a spirited young ninja with aspirations of becoming the Hokage, the esteemed leader of his ninja village. However, Naruto faces a significant obstacle—since birth, he harbors a powerful-tailed beast within him, which inadvertently destroys his village. Serialized in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, “Naruto” has enjoyed immense popularity, selling over 250 million copies of the manga across 60 countries and territories. The franchise has expanded into various successful ventures, including an anime series that aired on networks such as Cartoon Network, Disney XD, and Adult Swim, as well as a widely acclaimed video game series. Although a release date hasn’t been set, the film will without a doubt make noise at the box office.