Sony Pictures is joining Lionsgate on the live-action Naruto adaptation as co-financier and international distributor. Tuoi Tre, citing TheWrap, reported that Lionsgate retains development, production and North American distribution responsibilities, with filming planned for spring 2027.
Studios divide production and distribution roles
The arrangement followed competition among studios seeking to join the project. Lionsgate film chief Adam Fogelson pointed to Sony's manga and anime experience and worldwide distribution capabilities as strengths for reaching established fans and new audiences.
Sony film chief Tom Rothman expressed confidence in the international reach of manga and anime and described himself as a Naruto fan.
Destin Daniel Cretton will write, direct and produce. In comments relayed by Tuoi Tre, he emphasised the original's emotion and humour alongside its action, and the goal of introducing its world to another generation.
A widely recognised manga moves toward filming
Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014. Its fictional hero, Naruto Uzumaki, carries the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox and dreams of becoming Hokage, leader of his village.
The article lists more than 250 million manga copies distributed across over 60 countries and territories, with the anime reaching audiences in more than 145 markets.
Tuoi Tre also relayed international media reports naming Charles Melton for Kakashi, while casting for Naruto continues.
The next production milestone is the planned spring 2027 shoot. Cretton's team is developing a live-action approach intended to preserve the qualities that drew readers to the original.