The live-action Naruto movie is officially a go at Lionsgate, and it now has the global partner the project needed. Sony Pictures has come aboard to co-finance the film and handle its international distribution, joining after a competitive bidding war that drew interest from several studios.
Lionsgate announced the deal in a joint announcement with Sony on Tuesday, keeping development, production and domestic distribution for itself. In statements carried by TheWrap, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson called Naruto "a global phenomenon with a passionate fanbase and enormous potential as a theatrical event, and Destin is exactly the filmmaker to bring that vision to life."
Destin Daniel Cretton will write, direct and produce the adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's manga. Cretton arrives with superhero form, having directed Spider-Man: Brand New Day for Sony and Marvel, and he produces alongside Jeyun Munford through his company Hisako.
Cretton framed the appeal of the story in personal terms, saying that beneath the extraordinary action is "a story filled with heart, humor, and humanity." He added that Kishimoto created a world where unlikely heroes do extraordinary things, and that the team is committed to capturing everything fans love about Naruto while introducing it to a new generation.
Sony's side of the deal puts the film in front of the markets where the franchise already thrives. The Naruto manga has sold more than 250 million copies, and the anime has reached audiences in more than 145 countries and territories, giving Sony's international operation a built-in audience to release to.
Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures' Motion Picture Group, said Sony is honored to be chosen as Lionsgate's partner. He described the studio as big believers in the global power of manga and anime, and huge fans of Naruto in particular.
The producing team also includes Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu for Arad Productions, alongside Jeremy Latcham. Lionsgate executives Erin Westerman and James Myers developed the film and brought Cretton aboard, while Helen Lee-Kim secured Sony as the international partner.
The greenlight ends a long development road for the adaptation, which has been in the works at Lionsgate for years with Arad Productions attached. Earlier versions of the project stalled before reaching production, which makes the spring start date the clearest sign yet that this version is actually moving.
Casting is the next public step, with a worldwide search underway for the actors who will play Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. No lead has been announced yet, and the search leaves the film's central trio completely open.
Production on Naruto is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. No release date has been announced.
Source: Lionsgate via TheWrap
