Summary
-
Naruto
manga’s transition to live-action is finally happening, with Destin Daniel Cretton leading the charge in directing and writing. - Cretton’s style suits the adaptation perfectly, receiving the blessing of manga creator Masashi Kishimoto for the big screen
Naruto
project. - The film aims to cater to longtime fans while also attracting new audiences, potentially following the success of adaptations like
One Piece.
There was a time when it was unthinkable for manga to make a transition to a live-action scenario. However, technology and a willingness to push boundaries has opened the floodgate on the filming of the unfilmable in recent years, and one of the most-loved mangas of all time is now getting the big screen, live-action treatment from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings helmer, Destin Daniel Cretton. Lionsgate will be backing the big screen version of Naruto, with Cretton not only directing but also writing the adaptation.
Naruto
- Release Date
- October 3, 2002
- Cast
- Junko Takeuchi , Noriaki Sugiyama , Chie Nakamura , Kazuhiko Inoue , Hidekatsu Shibata , Yoichi Masukawa , Masashi Ebara , Ryôka Yuzuki
- Seasons
- 8
Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto, is more than just a manga; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has captivated millions with its rich storytelling, intricate character arcs, and thrilling ninja battles. Spanning from 1999 to 2014, this coming-of-age tale of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with dreams of becoming the leader of his village and the unexpected host of a powerful demon fox, has sold over 250 million copies worldwide. Its popularity extended beyond its original comic book form, spilling over into animated series, video games and all the merchandising opportunities that come with it.
Cretton’s involvement in the project has been well received, and comes just a few months after his departure from the MCU’s Avengers 5, and the writer/director seems like the perfect choice to bring his style of drama and blockbuster action to the project. His collaboration with Lionsgate, alongside producers Jeyun Munford, Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Emmy Yu, and Jeremy Latcham, will honor the essence of Kishimoto’s creation while introducing it to a broader audience. The director also secured the blessing of Kishimoto while on a visit to Tokyo. As per The Hollywood Reporter, the franchise creator said:
“When I heard of Destin’s attachment, it happened to be right after watching a blockbuster action film of his, and I thought he would be the perfect director for Naruto. After enjoying his other films and understanding that his forte is in creating solid dramas about people, I became convinced that there is no other director for Naturo. In actually meeting Destin, I also found him to be an open-minded director who was willing to embrace my input, and felt strongly that we would be able to cooperate together in the production process.”
Naruto Can Follow the Success of One Piece
Masashi Kishimoto’s endorsement of Cretton is a big plus for the movie, which seems to be setting out to both satisfy long-term fans of the comics or other ventures, but also spread its wings to entice in newcomers who may not know a lot about the source material. With the world of Naruto being so rich in lore and character, the challenge will be to capture its essence in a single film. This is something that the recent Netflix adaptation of One Piece avoided by going down the route of a multi-season series.
As of yet, there has been no indication of casting, or a release date, but with the project having been floating around since 2015 when it was originally announced, the news of Cretton’s significant contribution to the film suggests that things are finally shifting forward to bring Naruto to life in a whole new way
Naruto Movies in Order: How to Watch Chronologically and By Release Date
There have been three Naruto anime series with a strong fan base, and scattered throughout are these great movies.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
