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The story
The live-action Hollywood adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s hit ninja manga “Naruto” has officially been set in motion. Lionsgate is leading production, with Sony Pictures joining as a co-financier and international distributor. Destin Daniel Cretton, director of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” will direct, with filming set to begin in spring 2027. On 5ch threads, many commenters voiced concern the film could repeat the fate of 2009’s “Dragonball Evolution,” which flopped critically and commercially and later prompted an apology from its director. Others, however, pointed to Cretton’s track record as reason for optimism, leaving opinions split.
The Hollywood live-action adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s globally popular manga “Naruto” has officially received the green light. Lionsgate is producing the project, with Sony Pictures joining as a co-financier and handling international distribution. Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed, wrote, and produced “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” will direct, write, and produce this film as well, with filming slated to begin in spring 2027.
Sony joins live-action “Naruto,” filming to start spring 2027
Lionsgate announced it is partnering with Sony Pictures to move the live-action “Naruto” project forward. The deal, struck after a bidding war among several major studios, has Sony covering part of the production costs and handling overseas distribution, while Lionsgate continues to lead development and production and handles North American distribution.
Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here
What people said
— Original creator, Akira Toriyama (note: Toriyama created Dragon Ball, not Naruto — this looks like his real comments about the 2009 Dragonball Evolution movie, recycled here as a joke)
So 'sensei' supposedly said it himself — this thing's gonna flop once it's made.
we're gonna win this one!
("勝つる" is internet meme slang for "we'll totally win," usually said half-jokingly)
Komawari-kun: DiCaprio
Saijo-kun: Tom Cruise
Momo-chan: Meg Ryan
Jun-chan: Tracy Rose
Kamekichi from the bathhouse: Bruce Willis
Fukushima-kun: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Abe-sensei: Toyomaru
There we go.
What about the Nerima Perverts Club? (a recurring gag group from the original Gaki Deka manga)
"As the original creator, the script and character designs leave me thinking 'wait, really?' But the director, actors, and crew are all incredibly talented people. The team's energy on set might turn this into a masterpiece! I'm really looking forward to it!"
Who knows what state the world will be in by then.
still thinks any Asian face will do, lol
After that, with Jiraiya dead too, it just felt kind of off.
Street Fighter seems to be doing well, though.
but Bleach being popular is a mystery.
Story aside, the designs went over well with Western audiences —
swords front and center and all.
Netflix's live-action Death Note apparently turns the fights into brainless nonsense with zero intelligence left. Haven't watched it myself though.
Attack on Titan got the Machiyama treatment.
Cowboy Bebop went with a Korean actor.
And even the One Piece live-action doesn't seem to be as hyped as it was at the start.
A live-action of teenage/adult Naruto seems like it'd be rough.
There was that thing at Area 51 where hundreds of white people did that running style. No idea why they even did that.
(apparently a Korean take on Fist of the North Star)They all just look like comedians, lol
In the Korean Hokuto, the only one who comes out looking good is Heart-sama.
Wait, was Rei supposed to have silver hair?
Sasuke's on the football team, and Sakura's a cheerleader.
Kakashi's the uncle who lives next door to Naruto.
Didn't the creator actually draw him as white? Pale skin, blond hair — and since it's a ninja story, I guess casting Westerners for live-action kind of makes sense.
The original's blond too, so if they nail the vibe, an American-high-schooler version could actually work.
Background and Key Points of the Discussion
Hollywood live-action adaptations of popular Japanese manga and anime carry a rough track record, largely because 2009’s “Dragonball Evolution” flopped so badly, both critically and commercially, that its director later apologized to fans — making it the go-to example of a botched adaptation. Since then, Netflix’s “Death Note” and its live-action “Cowboy Bebop” series (canceled after a single season) have kept that losing streak going, though Netflix’s “One Piece” was well-received, at least early on. Opinions in the thread split over how much weight to give that history: some expressed optimism citing director Destin Daniel Cretton’s track record, while others stayed skeptical, pointing to past failures. Worth noting too: unlike other properties, Naruto was originally drawn with blond hair and blue eyes, which some commenters felt makes a Western cast feel less jarring than usual — a different starting point from other live-action adaptations.
*This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Entertainment/Sports News+) thread “[Movie] Hollywood Live-Action ‘Naruto’ Officially Greenlit! Charles Melton Cast as Kakashi, Filming to Begin Spring 2027.”
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