Live-Action Naruto Film Launches Worldwide Casting for Team 7

What was announced

The live-action Naruto movie has opened a worldwide casting search, launching the hunt for the actors who will play Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke, and Sakura. The franchise's official account shared the news on July 9, pointing fans to a comment from series creator Masashi Kishimoto, and trade outlets including Variety and Collider confirmed the search the same day. According to Collider, the announcement went out through a joint Instagram post from the director and Kishimoto, with distributor Lionsgate issuing accompanying statements.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton announced that casting for the three leads had officially begun. "Kishimoto-sensei's stories have inspired generations of fans around the world, and it's an honor to bring his world and characters to the big screen in live action for the very first time," he said.

Who is making it

Cretton, best known for Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has been attached to the project since Lionsgate first announced the film back in February 2024. With the director having wrapped his most recent feature, the long-developing adaptation appears to have cleared its biggest scheduling hurdle. According to trade reporting, Cretton is co-writing the screenplay with Tasha Huo, with Arad Productions among the producers. No cast members, filming start, or release date have been announced.

Kishimoto's reaction

Kishimoto, who is described as creatively involved in the adaptation, welcomed the milestone in effusive terms. "Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another," he said. "My work, Naruto, is truly, truly becoming a Hollywood movie. And an even greater miracle is that the film will be directed by the one and only Destin Daniel Cretton." He added that he was looking forward to the "extraordinary and passionate actors" the search might surface.