Sony and Lionsgate Collaborate on Destin Daniel Cretton’s Upcoming ‘Naruto’ Movie

In a significant development for the film industry, Lionsgate has entered into a partnership with Sony Pictures to produce a highly anticipated feature adaptation of the acclaimed manga series, Naruto. Following an extensive bidding process involving multiple studios, Sony will co-finance the project and assume international distribution responsibilities for this live-action film.

The project, now officially greenlit by Lionsgate, will mark the directorial follow-up for Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously enjoyed monumental success with the film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, generating an impressive .5 billion at the box office. In addition to directing, Cretton will also write the screenplay and produce the film. Production is slated to commence in the spring of 2027, with Lionsgate managing the film’s development, production, and domestic distribution efforts.

Sony’s motion picture group, under the leadership of Tom Rothman, emerged as a fitting choice for this collaboration, particularly given Cretton’s recent three-year first-look producing deal with the studio, cementing a solid partnership forged through previous successes. Sony’s connections to the anime industry, coupled with its ownership of Crunchyroll, a popular anime streaming service, provide a promising platform for launching the immensely popular Naruto franchise.

Adam Fogelson, the chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm regarding the partnership with Sony, emphasizing their mutual ambition to create a major cinematic event that resonates with long-time fans while attracting new audiences. He acknowledged the valuable contributions from key team members who have been instrumental in bringing this adaptation to fruition.

Naruto is a coming-of-age narrative that follows the journey of Naruto Uzumaki, a spirited young ninja aspiring to become the leader of his village, all while navigating the complexities of possessing the spirit of a powerful nine-tailed demon fox. Originally serialized from 1999 to 2014 in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump, the series has transcended its origins, transforming into a cultural phenomenon with over 250 million copies sold globally.

As a hallmark of contemporary entertainment, Naruto has achieved remarkable global reach, including successful anime adaptations broadcast in over 145 countries. The creative team, including producers from Arad Productions and Cretton’s own company, Hisako, is fully committed to maintaining the essence of the original story while appealing to a new generation of viewers.

Currently in talks, Charles Melton is poised to play Kakashi Hatake, while casting for the role of Naruto is still in progress. With the expertise and ambition behind this project, anticipation builds for potential future releases that can captivate audiences worldwide.

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