Lionsgate and Sony Greenlight Destin Daniel Cretton’s Live-Action 'Naruto' for 2027

Key points

• Lionsgate and Sony Pictures have finalized a partnership for the live-action 'Naruto' film, with Sony co-financing and handling international distribution.
• Destin Daniel Cretton will write, direct, and produce the project, which is slated to begin production in spring 2027.
• The deal was secured after a competitive, multi-studio bidding process, with Sony winning due to its ties to Crunchyroll and Cretton’s recent success with 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day.'
• Charles Melton is confirmed to play Kakashi Hatake, while the actor for the title role remains uncast.
• Lionsgate will oversee development and production, as well as domestic distribution, while Sony handles international markets.

Background

In late September 2026, Sony was preparing a re-release of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' with cut footage, capitalizing on its record-breaking box office run. This established a strong recent relationship between Sony and Destin Daniel Cretton, which likely influenced the subsequent partnership for the 'Naruto' adaptation. The 'Naruto' franchise, created by Masashi Kishimoto, has been a global phenomenon since the late 1990s, with the manga selling over 250 million copies and the anime reaching audiences in over 145 countries.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes the strategic alignment between Sony and Lionsgate, highlighting Sony’s expertise in manga and anime through Crunchyroll and its international distribution prowess. Deadline focuses on the financial and box office context, noting that 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' was the third-highest-grossing film ever, which solidified Cretton’s status as a bankable director. TwistedVoxel provides a broader overview, confirming the greenlight and production timeline while noting the endorsement of creator Masashi Kishimoto, a detail not explicitly mentioned in the other two sources. All sources agree on the core facts: the partnership, the director, the timeline, and the distribution split.

Why it matters

This project represents a significant move into the live-action adaptation of a top-tier Japanese manga, leveraging the success of recent anime-inspired films. The partnership between Lionsgate and Sony signals a strategic effort to capitalize on the global popularity of 'Naruto' while ensuring a high-quality, internationally distributed production. The involvement of Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and 'Shang-Chi,' suggests a focus on blending action with character-driven storytelling, which is crucial for adapting a coming-of-age narrative like 'Naruto.'

What to watch

The primary next step is the casting of the lead role of Naruto Uzumaki, which is currently underway. Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. The film will likely be a major international release, given Sony’s distribution role and the franchise’s global reach. There may also be further announcements regarding the script, additional cast members, and the specific creative approach to adapting the manga’s extensive storyline.