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Charles Melton in talks to play Kakashi in live-action Naruto film
Actor Charles Melton is in final negotiations to portray Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the popular manga and anime series, Naruto. Melton, an Emmy nominee known for his roles in Beef and Riverdale, is reportedly the first major actor to join the project.
The film will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who recently directed the high-grossing Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Production is expected to begin around February 2027. While Melton’s casting is in advanced stages, the production team is still conducting a global casting search to find actors for the central teenage roles of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.
Melton, a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, is considered a strong fit for the action-oriented role of the elite mentor. His potential casting follows recent rumors linking him to the role of Beast in Marvel’s X-Men reboot, though his involvement in the Naruto project appears to be a primary focus.
Entities
Charles Melton · Destin Daniel Cretton · Lionsgate · Marvel Studios · Masashi Kishimoto · Naruto · Naruto
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Destin Daniel Cretton is set to direct the film. time.news
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Production is scheduled to begin in early February next year in the United Kingdom. knightedgemedia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Charles Melton is also in negotiations with Marvel Studios for the role of Beast in X-Men. knightedgemedia.com