Live-Action Naruto Film Lands Director at Lionsgate

A live-action Naruto film has been in the works at Lionsgate for the better part of a decade, and now the studio announced that the adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's hit Shonen Jump manga has a new writer and director. Destin Daniel Cretton—director of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings —is on board to handle both duties for the production.  Kishimoto had the following to say about the announcement, via Variety : “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 ‘Naruto.' “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 … To put it simply, the live-action ‘Naruto’ is bound to be a film with spectacular action and profound drama. I can’t help but be excited for it.” RELATED: New Naruto 4-Episode Anime Delayed to ‘Increase Quality’ Cretton added, "It was a true honor to meet Kishimoto-san in Tokyo and hear his expansive vision for his creation. We are very excited to collaborate and bring 'Naruto' to the big screen."  Producers for the live-action Naruto film include Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu at Arad Productions, as well as Jeremy Latcham. Director and writer Destin Daniel Cretton will also produce along with Jeyun Munford through his Hisako company.  This is the first we've heard about Lionsgate's live-action Naruto in quite some time. The company previously had Michael Gracey signed on to direct back in 2015 .  Source: Variety

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