Lionsgate reveals plot details for live-action Naruto film

Lionsgate has revealed plot details for its upcoming live-action Naruto adaptation. The film will follow Naruto Uzumaki, a gifted but challenging recruit, as he embarks on his first mission alongside teammates Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. The story is set in an alternate universe where children train to become ninja, and the mission is expected to escalate into a dangerous scenario involving Naruto’s internal power source.

Production is scheduled to begin in the United Kingdom in early 2025. While the official synopsis does not name the specific mission, industry observers suggest it may be based on the “Land of Waves” arc from the original manga and anime.

Casting details remain in flux. An initial worldwide casting call in July 2024 sought Asian actors over the age of 18 to portray 16-year-old versions of the main characters. However, a subsequent call in October 2024 shifted the target age range to 13- to 15-year-old actors for the roles of Naruto and Sakura, leaving the characters' exact ages in the film unconfirmed.