In a surprising turn of events, the long-anticipated live-action adaptation of the popular manga and anime series, Naruto, has finally received a significant update nearly 10 years after its initial announcement.
Lionsgate announced the live-action Naruto movie back in July 2015, and fans got confirmation of the collaboration between Lionsgate, director Michael Gracey, and manga creator Masashi Kishimoto during the Jump Festa event in 2016. However, updates on the project were scarce, leaving fans in the dark for several years.
Despite sitting on the upcoming slate for an extended period, the film was confirmed to be actively in development in 2021, and in 2023, Lionsgate declared that the project was being fast-tracked with Masashi Kishimoto co-developing the film.
Recently breaking the silence surrounding the project, the live-action Naruto movie now has a new screenwriter, Tasha Huo. Known for her work on the upcoming Red Sonja and Tomb Raider adaptations, Huo brings a wealth of experience to the table. In a statement to Variety, she expressed her excitement about adapting iconic characters and IPs, citing the passion that comes with such projects.
Fans, however, have exhibited a mix of intrigue and concern regarding the live-action adaptation. With the Naruto manga spanning 700 chapters and encompassing 49 arcs between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, questions arise about which arc the film will adapt. Some fans are skeptical, citing the often disappointing track record of live-action anime adaptations, while others draw optimism from recent successes like Netflix’s One Piece live-action, which remained faithful to the source material.
The success of the One Piece adaptation was attributed to staying true to Eiichiro Oda’s original work, and fans hope the Naruto live-action will follow suit. Acknowledging the challenge of condensing such a lengthy story into a single film, fans believe that, with Kishimoto’s involvement and proper funding, the project has the potential to succeed.
Despite the lack of a confirmed release date, anticipation is building, and fans are hopeful for more updates in the near future. The key to success, as fans emphasize, lies in preserving the essence of Kishimoto’s masterpiece on the big screen.
Source: Variety
