The live-action 'Naruto' film has officially begun casting its lead roles. Director Destin Daniel Cretton, who is writing and directing the project, announced on social media on the 10th that the global casting process is underway.

Cretton, who was recently tapped to direct the Marvel film 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' shared a photo with 'Naruto' creator Masashi Kishimoto to announce the start of casting. He expressed his excitement about beginning the search for Team 7 and his commitment to bringing the 'Naruto' universe to life.

Team 7 is the ninja squad led by the Copy Ninja Kakashi, which includes the protagonist Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Casting for these core roles will be finalized first, followed by the sequential casting of the remaining supporting characters.

Distributor Lionsgate originally acquired the rights to a live-action 'Naruto' around 2015. Initially, Michael Gracey, director of 'The Greatest Showman,' was attached to the project, but it did not move forward. The project was reignited in 2024 when Cretton, known for 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' and 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' joined as writer and director. However, the project saw little progress for over two years as Cretton was tied up with his 'Spider-Man' commitments. This start to the casting process marks the first sign of movement since that hiatus.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton stated, 'Kishimoto’s story has inspired generations of fans around the world, and I am honored to be the one to bring his world and characters to the screen in live-action for the first time.' Original creator Masashi Kishimoto also shared his thoughts, saying, 'Miraculous things have been happening to me one after another. I still can't believe that my work, Naruto, is actually becoming a Hollywood movie, and that Director Cretton will be at the helm.'

The original Naruto series began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and has since become an iconic manga, with over 250 million copies published in more than 60 countries.

Meanwhile, Cretton, who received critical acclaim for 'Short Term 12' starring Brie Larson, has been recognized for his diverse directorial style through 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' (2021) and the upcoming 'Wonder Man' (2026). He is also highly anticipated for his role as director of the first film in the new Marvel Studios 'Spider-Man' trilogy.