The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) will direct and co-write Lionsgate’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto manga.
Cretton will also serve as a producer on the film, alongside Jeyun Munford through his production company Hisako. They join Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu of Arad Productions, as well as producer Jeremy Latcham.
‘Naruto’, one of the most famous manga series of all time about the character’s growth process, friendship and many super-powered ninja battles, will be brought to the big screen: https://t .co/6vjjtNSe5U pic.twitter.com/jwydHiEszH
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 23, 2024
Kishimoto made an official statement regarding the live-action adaptation of Naruto and gave Cretton his blessing for making the film and said:
When I heard about Destin’s attachment, it was right after watching one of his blockbuster action movies and I thought he would be the perfect director for Naruto.
After watching his other films and understanding that his forte is creating solid human dramas, I am convinced that there is no other director for Naturo. When I actually met Destin, I also found him to be an open-minded director who was willing to accept my input and felt strongly that we could work together on the production process. .
Lionsgate and Arad Productions first announced the production of a live-action film for Naruto in July 2015. Michael Gracey was initially set to direct the film before leaving the project the day Cretton was hired to direct it. Screenwriter Tasha Huo was assigned to write the script for the film in November 2023.
The original Naruto manga was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from September 21, 1999 to November 10, 2014, with a total of 72 tankoubon volumes released. A manga sequel titled Boruto, illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto, began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump on May 9, 2016, before transferring to the monthly magazine V Jump in July 2019. 21 volumes tankoubon has been released as of February 2024.
© Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha
The first Naruto anime television series aired from October 3, 2002 to February 8, 2007. The sequel, Naruto: Shippuden, aired from February 15, 2007 to March 23, 2017 Studio Pierrot produced the animation for both anime series. Crunchyroll has streamed all episodes in English for select countries and territories.
Viz Media licensed the anime and manga for release in North America, describing the first volume of the series as:
Twelve years ago, the Hidden Leaf Village was attacked by a terrifying threat. A nine-tailed fox spirit took the lives of the village chief, the Hokage, and many others. Today, the village is at peace and a troublemaker named Naruto is struggling to graduate from the Ninja Academy. His goal may be to become the next Hokage, but his true destiny will be much more complicated. The adventure begins now!
Source: Hollywood Reporter