As we first reported on AnimeMojo.com, Emmy-nominated Beef star Charles Melton is in final talks to star in Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton's live-action Naruto movie.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that the actor is set to play Kakashi Hatake, a legendary shinobi of Konohagakure and the leader of Team 7. Known as the "Copy Ninja," he possesses the Sharingan and has mastered countless techniques. A skilled and experienced mentor, Kakashi guides Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura while carrying the weight of his troubled past.
The trade has also learned that a search is underway for a young actor to play Naruto, and this news confirms that the Lionsgate movie is next up for Cretton after several years firmly entrenched in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Short Term 12 filmmaker directed 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and later helmed episodes of Wonder Man before taking charge of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. He had been eyed to helm Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but moved on from that when it evolved into Avengers: Doomsday.
Cameras are expected to roll on Naruto in February 2027, so this will be Cretton's next movie. Spider-Man 5 will either have to wait, or Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures will have to find a new director to tell Peter Parker's story.
Naruto Uzumaki is the central character of Masashi Kishimoto’s beloved Naruto franchise, beginning as a mischievous young ninja determined to earn the respect of his village. As the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto grows up ostracised by many in Konohagakure, but refuses to let that define him.
Through years of training, battles, and personal loss, he develops into one of the world’s most powerful shinobi. His unwavering determination, compassion, and belief in never abandoning his friends make him a natural leader. Naruto’s journey ultimately sees him achieve his lifelong dream of becoming Hokage while helping usher in a more peaceful era for the ninja world.
Melton's breakout role was in The CW's Riverdale, though he'd later tackle more serious fare with May December, Warfare, and Her Private Hell. The actor is said to be a frontrunner for the role of Beast in Marvel Studios' X-Men, but his role in Naruto could be why he wasn't among the cast members introduced at D23 last Friday.
Schedules can be worked out, and for what it's worth, scooper @MyTimeToShineH claims that Melton is still in the mix for the MCU's Hank McCoy. If he's attempting to juggle Naruto and X-Men, it would explain why a deal wasn't done in time for D23's cast reveal.
The trade writes, "The actor is a longtime fan of anime and manga and is also extremely proficient in martial arts. He is a second-degree black belt in taekwondo and competed in the Junior Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea."
Naruto doesn't have a confirmed release date, but will likely hit theaters in 2028.