Naruto’s Live-Action Movie Is Farther Along Than Initially Thought

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The live-action Naruto movie seems to be progressing faster than expected. The popular anime, known for its martial arts action, is finally getting a big-budget adaptation, with Destin Daniel Cretton – the director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – leading the project. While fans assumed Naruto was a ways off due to Cretton’s work on next year’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it now appears development is further along than previously believed.

A new report suggests that a Naruto movie is planned to begin filming next year. The information comes from Daniel Richtman, a reliable source for entertainment news, who shared the update on his X (formerly Twitter) account, but didn’t provide any further details.

Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed Naruto, is currently working on Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Once that’s finished, he’s expected to begin work on the live-action Naruto adaptation.

A Naruto movie has been in the works since 2015. It was first announced with Michael Gracey, the director of The Greatest Showman, attached, but the project stalled for nearly ten years. It was revived in 2023, and Tasha Hou, who also wrote the script for Red Sonja, was brought on to write the screenplay.

Hou would depart the Naruto movie in 2024, with Cretton stepping in to both write and direct. 

Considering how long the Naruto film has been in development at Lionsgate, and the fact that director Destin Daniel Cretton only recently joined the project, many assumed it was still in the planning stages. But according to a new report, things are progressing quickly under Cretton – the director of Shang-Chi – and the film might be released within the next two years.

The story of Naruto centers around a determined young ninja who dreams of becoming the strongest leader, the Hokage, to earn the respect of everyone around him. The series has grown into a massive franchise, with over 72 volumes of manga and 500 episodes of the anime. Since it began, Naruto has become one of the most popular and influential media properties in Japan.

Currently, details about the actors in the Naruto movie haven’t been announced, and we don’t have a confirmed release date yet.

When Will Fans See the Naruto Movie?

Because the live-action Naruto film took so long to come together, many dedicated fans started to wonder if it would ever actually happen. Anime adaptations with live actors are often announced, but rarely come to fruition.

Most book or manga adaptations don’t live up to expectations, and even the good ones aren’t always worth the hype (though the recent One Piece Netflix series is a great example of one that is!). That’s why it’s exciting news that Naruto might finally be adapted for live-action, especially with a talented director like Destin Daniel Cretton involved. It almost sounds too good to be true for many fans.

The live-action anime adaptation is likely to begin filming later next year because Cretton will be focused on finishing and promoting his film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, until its release on July 31st.

Filming could begin next fall and continue through the end of the year or early 2027. If all goes according to plan, the movie might be released in 2028. This means fans who have waited decades for a Naruto movie could finally see it in just over two years, which is fantastic news!

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2025-11-15 06:04