Charles Melton in Final Talks to Play Kakashi in Live-Action Naruto Film
Lionsgate taps Destin Daniel Cretton to write and direct the adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's global manga phenomenon.
Actor Charles Melton is in final negotiations to portray the iconic mentor Kakashi Hatake in an upcoming live-action adaptation of Naruto. The project, developed by Lionsgate, marks the first major step forward in bringing the massive manga and anime franchise to the big screen.
According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, Melton is in close talks to lock in the role of the masked shinobi. While the production has found its lead mentor, a worldwide casting search is currently underway to identify the young actors who will play the series' central trio: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.
A High-Profile Creative Team
The film will be written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who has established a strong track record with high-budget genre cinema. Cretton previously directed "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and the recent hit "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." The latter has proven to be a commercial juggernaut, grossing $2 billion globally and over $800 million domestically, according to data from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
This adaptation is based on the work of Masashi Kishimoto, whose story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja struggling for recognition while harboring a powerful demon fox sealed within him. The road to the screen has not been easy; a previous attempt to launch a Naruto movie occurred in 2014 with Michael Gracey attached, but that project ultimately failed to materialize.
Industry Implications
The scale of this production suggests that Lionsgate is positioning the film as a major tentpole release rather than a niche adaptation. By pairing a critically acclaimed actor like Melton—who recently earned an Emmy nomination for his role in "Beef"—with a director coming off a multi-billion dollar success, the studio is signaling a high level of confidence in the property's crossover appeal.
Naruto remains one of the most globally successful manga and anime series of all time. A successful live-action transition could open the door for further expansions of the franchise, provided the studio can find leads that satisfy a notoriously protective global fanbase.
What Remains
While the creative leadership and the role of Kakashi are nearly settled, the project's timeline remains fluid. The primary focus for the studio now shifts to the worldwide search for the young leads, whose casting will likely be the next major announcement for the production. It remains to be seen how Cretton will translate the series' stylized combat and supernatural elements into a live-action setting.