Lionsgate has officially initiated a worldwide talent search to find the leads for its upcoming live-action adaptation of Naruto. The production is currently prioritizing the search for actors to portray the series' core trio: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, with additional casting for the supporting cast expected to follow in subsequent phases.
Directing the project is Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Cretton is also producing the film under his Hisako banner, joined by a production team that includes Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Emmy Yu, and Jeremy Latcham. Original creator Masashi Kishimoto expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting his excitement to see his characters brought to life by a new generation of performers.
The project has been in development for several years, with initial rights acquisition dating back to 2015. While the creative team has undergone various shifts since the project's inception, the focus remains on delivering an adaptation that honors the source material, which ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014 and became a global cultural phenomenon spanning multiple anime series, films, and spin-offs.
Source: Anime News Network
