Lionsgate Greenlights 'Naruto' Movie as Sony Signs On to Co-Finance Cretton Film

Lionsgate has officially greenlit its live-action adaptation of the manga "Naruto" and brought in Sony Pictures as a partner, with Sony set to co-finance the film and handle its international distribution, the studios announced on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Destin Daniel Cretton, director of Sony and Marvel Studios' "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," will write, direct and produce. Production is slated to begin in spring 2027, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

Under the arrangement, Lionsgate will continue to oversee the film's development and production and will handle domestic distribution, while Sony Pictures leads international distribution. The Hollywood Reporter said the deal came after competitive, multi-studio bidding, and TheWrap described it as following "a highly competitive, multi-studio bidding war." According to TheWrap, the deal was negotiated by Michael Meyer for Lionsgate, and Erin Westerman and James Myers are overseeing the project for the studio.

A manga franchise with global reach

"Naruto," created by Masashi Kishimoto, follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who wants to grow up to become the leader of his village and who carries the spirit of a nine-tailed demon fox inside him. The manga was serialized in Japan's Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, and its animated series ran for years on Cartoon Network and Disney XD, The Hollywood Reporter noted.

The manga has sold more than 250 million copies across over 60 countries and territories, growing into a multibillion-dollar franchise, and its anime adaptation has reached audiences in more than 145 countries and territories, Deadline reported. Deadline added that Kishimoto is reported to be closely involved with the movie.

In the joint announcement quoted by TheWrap, the companies said the franchise has "transcended borders, languages and generations, inspiring an extraordinarily devoted worldwide fanbase and occupying a singular place in manga and anime history."

What the studio chiefs said

Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in a statement: "With their deep expertise in manga and anime and global distribution prowess, Sony Pictures is a perfect partner for Naruto, and we're thrilled to join forces with Tom Rothman and his team to bring this extraordinary property to audiences around the world."

Fogelson also credited the Lionsgate team, saying he was "tremendously proud of Erin Westerman and James Myers for their work developing this film and bringing Destin aboard, and of Helen Lee-Kim for securing Sony as our international partner."

Tom Rothman, CEO and chairman of Sony Pictures' Motion Picture Group, said: "Lionsgate has done a masterful job in putting together an A-level adaptation, and we are honored to be chosen as their partner. Not to mention, we had a sweet success this summer with Destin and are delighted to be back in his capable hands."

Cretton said in his own statement: "As a longtime fan of Naruto, I've always loved that beneath the extraordinary action is a story filled with heart, humor, and humanity." He added, "Together, we're committed to capturing everything fans love about Naruto while introducing it to a whole new generation."

Cretton's ties to Sony

The partnership reunites Cretton with Sony after "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." Deadline reported that the film became the highest-grossing movie ever at the domestic box office with $958.8 million and ranks as the third-highest-grossing movie ever worldwide with $2.5 billion, behind "Avengers: Endgame" and "Avatar." TheWrap put the film's worldwide total at $2.52 billion.

In September, Cretton signed a three-year first-look producing deal with Sony, The Hollywood Reporter reported. Polygon said that under the deal Cretton will develop and produce films for the company under Hisako, the production company he runs with Jeyun Munford. The Hollywood Reporter also noted that Sony, which is headquartered in Japan, is the home of the anime streaming service Crunchyroll.

Producers and casting

Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu are producing for Arad Productions, and Cretton is producing alongside Munford through Hisako, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Animation World Network listed Jeremy Latcham as a producer with Arad Productions as well.

No casting has been officially confirmed. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Charles Melton is the only actor attached at this stage and is in talks to play Kakashi Hatake, the elite ninja who mentors the main character and his friends, and that the search for the actor to play Naruto is underway. Polygon reported that Cretton announced in July that a global casting search had begun for the series' main trio of Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Media Play News also reported Melton as attached, citing IMDbPro.

A project years in development

Lionsgate first announced Cretton as writer and director of the adaptation in February 2024. At the time, Cretton said, "It was a true honor to meet Kishimoto-san in Tokyo and hear his expansive vision for his creation," Variety reported. Kishimoto said then that "the live-action 'Naruto' is bound to be a film with spectacular action and profound drama."

Cretton previously worked with Lionsgate on the 2017 drama "The Glass Castle," and James Myers oversaw that project as well, Deadline reported in 2024. Cretton's earlier credits include "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," "Just Mercy" and "Short Term 12."

The deal comes as Lionsgate reports strong theatrical results. Deadline noted that the studio recently saw "Michael" become its highest-grossing movie ever, with more than $1 billion worldwide, with Universal handling offshore distribution.