A live-action movie based on Naruto may finally be moving forward faster than fans expected. A new report claims that filming could begin as early as late 2026, bringing fresh hope to one of the most talked-about anime adaptations in Hollywood.
As per ComicBook, the Naruto live-action film has been in development for many years. The project was first confirmed back in 2017, but updates have been slow. Even with Naruto being one of the most popular manga and anime franchises in the world, it has not yet received a full Hollywood live-action feature, unlike many other Shonen Jump titles.
Now, that long wait may soon be over.
According to a report shared by industry scooper DanielRPK, the Naruto live-action movie is expected to start filming later in 2026. While no official filming dates have been announced by the studio, this update suggests that the project is finally entering an active production phase. The report was highlighted in a recent article published on ComicBook, written by Nick Valdez.
The timing also makes sense based on the director’s current schedule. In late 2024, it was officially confirmed that Destin Daniel Cretton is directing the Naruto live-action film for Lionsgate. Cretton is known for directing major Marvel projects, including Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and is also involved with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. With those projects moving ahead, a late 2026 filming start for Naruto appears realistic.
The film is being produced by Destin Daniel Cretton and Jeyun Munford through Hisako, alongside Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Emmy Yu, and Jeremy Latcham. The screenplay is being co-written by Cretton and Tasha Huo, though story details are still being kept secret.
One major reason fans are feeling optimistic is the involvement of Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto. When the project was announced, Kishimoto confirmed that he had met with Cretton and fully approved his vision for the live-action adaptation. Kishimoto praised the director’s ability to tell strong, emotional stories, saying he felt confident the film would respect Naruto’s heart and themes.
As of now, no cast members have been revealed, and no release date has been announced. Still, if filming does begin in late 2026, fans can expect more updates, including casting news, to arrive in the coming months.
For a franchise as legendary as Naruto, even small production progress is big news—and this update suggests the long-awaited live-action movie is finally becoming real.
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