Live-Action Naruto Movie: Lionsgate Begins Global Casting Search!

Lionsgate and director Destin Daniel Cretton officially opened a worldwide casting search to find the three main actors for the live-action Naruto film. The production team seeks performers to play Team 7 characters Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.

Credit: Naruto Official site.

Cretton, known for directing Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, handles writing and directing duties. The filmmaker expressed his goals for the movie through a social media 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,” Cretton said.

“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 series creator Masashi Kishimoto works directly with the project. Kishimoto shared his perspective regarding the adaptation through a statement on the official franchise website.

“Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another,” Kishimoto said.

“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!”

Leaked casting breakdown descriptions indicate the film may take place during the Naruto: Shippuden timeline. The casting calls ask for Asian or mixed-race Asian actors aged 18 and older to play the roles at age 16. The production requires actors who speak English fluently and possess experience in martial arts, dance, gymnastics, or parkour.

The casting sheets describe Naruto as an expressive, energetic, and impulsive teen who carries deep pain from his past. The description for Sasuke points to an intelligent but distant ninja who grew up faster than his peers due to childhood family trauma. Sakura's character profile outlines a strong-willed, ambitious leader whose high-achieving persona conceals personal insecurities.

Lionsgate first secured the film rights to the manga back in 2015. Initial plans involved director Michael Gracey before Cretton took over the position in early 2024. Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu produce the film under Arad Productions alongside Jeremy Latcham.

The manga original source material debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1999 and concluded its run in 2014. The printed volumes sold more than 250 million copies across 60 countries and territories. Studio Pierrot previously turned the material into a long-running anime adaptation spanning 720 episodes across two series between 2002 and 2017.

Filming schedules indicate that cameras will roll from January 2027 through August 2027 in the United Kingdom. Lionsgate has not announced an official theatrical release date.