According to the latest news, the "Naruto" live-action movie is expected to start filming next year. Well-known whistleblower Daniel Richtman announced the news on his personal social platform account, but did not disclose further details.
Destin Cretton is currently producing Spider-Man: New Day, and once the project is completed, this live-action adaptation of the anime is expected to be his next work.
The "Naruto" live-action movie has gone through twists and turns since its launch in 2015. After it was initially announced to be directed by "The Greatest Showman" director Michael Gracey, the project lay dormant for nearly a decade until it resurfaced in 2023, when it was confirmed that "The Greatest Showman" screenwriter Tasha Hu would write the script. When Hu left the project in 2024, Cretton immediately took over as both writer and director.
Considering Lionsgate's years-long development cycle for the film and the fact that Cretton only recently took over the project, it was expected that "Naruto" would still be in its early stages. However, Richtman's revelations show that the project is progressing rapidly under the promotion of the "Shang-Chi" director, and movie fans may witness the completion of the film in two or three years.
The "Naruto" series has released 72 comic volumes and 500 animated episodes so far, making it one of the most influential IPs in Japanese history. No casting information has been announced for the film, and a specific release date has not yet been determined.