Naruto Gets Live-Action Treatment by Shang-Chi Director

Naruto Gets Live-Action Treatment by Shang-Chi Director. For Destin Daniel Cretton, this adaptation represents a new opportunity to explore unique creative territory.

By Megan Sauer

In an exciting twist for manga and action film fans, Lionsgate has officially announced that the acclaimed Naruto manga series will be adapted into a live-action film (via The Hollywood Reporter). The person in charge of directing and writing this long-awaited adaptation will be Destin Daniel Cretton, the talented filmmaker behind the successful Marvel Studios film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

The news has generated a huge stir among Naruto fans, since the series is one of the most beloved and popular of all time. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto is a coming-of-age story centered on an enthusiastic young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki, who dreams of becoming the leader of his ninja village while carrying the spirit of a dragon within him.

The series was serialized in Japan’s popular Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1999 to 2014, following the character’s growth, his friendships, and the numerous battles of super-powered ninjas.

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With over 250 million copies of the collected volumes sold in over 60 countries and territories, Naruto has become one of the most popular intellectual properties in the world.

In addition to the manga series, the franchise has spawned several animated series that aired for years on Cartoon Network, Disney XD, Adult Swim, and other networks. It has also been adapted into video games and continues to be a success in merchandise sales.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton has Masashi Kishimoto’s blessing to carry out this adaptation, something that was granted after a visit to Tokyo. Kishimoto expressed his enthusiasm for Cretton’s choice as director, noting his ability to create strong dramas about people and his willingness to collaborate in the production process.

Adam Fogelson, president of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, also expressed his excitement about the project, describing the vision for the film created by Cretton as exciting and confident that it will excite Naruto’s huge fan base and newcomers to the franchise.

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The development of the Naruto adaptation began with Lionsgate in late 2015, and Cretton’s inclusion represents a significant stride towards its cinematic realization. Lionsgate’s James Myers and Jon Humphrey will oversee the project alongside Cretton.

For Cretton, this adaptation represents a new opportunity to explore unique creative territory, following his work on acclaimed films such as Short Term 12 and Just Mercy. The filmmaker is currently developing a sequel to Shang-Chi and recently directed several episodes of American Born Chinese for Disney+, an adaptation of Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel.

Combining Cretton’s vision, Kishimoto’s support, and the passion of Naruto fans around the world, the live-action film promises to be an exciting and epic experience that will captivate audiences of all ages.