Naruto live-action film development targets multi-movie franchise

A live-action film adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto franchise is currently in development under the direction of Destin Daniel Cretton. During New York Comic Con 2026, Cretton provided an update on the project, stating, “We’re hard at work and will have more to share soon.”

The production has reportedly initiated a worldwide casting search for the characters of Team 7. While details remain unconfirmed, reports suggest the studio may aim for a long-running cinematic franchise similar to Harry Potter, potentially spanning seven or eight films. This plan could involve an initial trilogy covering the original storyline, followed by several more films covering the events of Naruto: Shippuden.

Early speculation suggests the first film may focus on the Land of Waves arc to introduce the protagonist and the ninja world. Cretton expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting that the character's resilient spirit is central to the story being told.