Buzz
The live-action adaptation of Naruto will feature the involvement of seasoned experts and author Masashi Kishimoto.
Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece is set to premiere tomorrow, naturally, anime fans are also curious about the fate of other iconic series.
The Naruto franchise - a monument in the world of anime and manga has become the center of such speculations. Social media is flooded with rumors that a live-action Naruto movie is in the works. Tasha Huo - the writer behind 'The Witcher: Blood Origin' is rumored to be finalizing a new screenplay.
The Naruto live-action movie turns out to be more than just an internet rumor. This project has been in development for several years and has more interesting aspects than meets the eye.
The idea of adapting Naruto into a live-action film is not new. Lionsgate acquired the commercial rights to this property in 2015, with Michael Gracey - director of The Greatest Showman helming the initial project.
By 2017, the screenplay was handed over to Jon and Erich Hoeber for a rewrite. Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly but there were still quite a few challenges.
In a 2018 interview with Collider, director Michael Gracey shared insights into bringing Naruto to the big screen. Gracey emphasized that the screenplay is still being perfected, cannot be rushed. 'We are committed to creating a screenplay that not only excites the audience but also honors the franchise's legacy,' he said.
Gracey expressed strong desire to collaborate with Masashi Kishimoto - the creator of Naruto. 'My goal is to work closely with Kishimoto to develop a screenplay that he feels satisfied with. After all, who can understand the Naruto world better than its creator?'
Gracey enthusiastically shared his commitment to the project, adding: 'It's a fantastic opportunity and everyone from Lionsgate to the producers understands the weight of this responsibility'.
By June 2023, the project still seems to be developing in the right direction. Tasha Huo has penned a new screenplay. While detailed information about the cast is still kept under wraps, it's highly likely that Kishimoto will be involved as a consultant.
The refreshed screenplay has injected new life into the project. The production team is proceeding cautiously to ensure that the adaptation aligns with the valuable reputation of the franchise.
While the live-action adaptation of Naruto has made significant strides, the film is still in the planning stages and the cast has not been announced yet.
Another issue is the ongoing strike of Hollywood screenwriters, which is hindering many projects. Perhaps audiences will have to wait at least 2 to 3 more years before Naruto makes its live-action debut on the big screen.
Although the project is still far from the production stage, at least fans can be optimistic that Naruto may finally appear on the big screen in a manner true to the original.
