The live-action Naruto movie may have just landed its first major casting breakthrough—and it is already turning heads. The Hollywood Reporter reported on August 20, 2026, that Emmy-nominated actor Charles Melton is in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate’s long-awaited adaptation.
Melton, known for Riverdale, May December, and Beef, would take on one of the franchise’s most recognizable characters. But there is one crucial detail: he has not been officially confirmed by Lionsgate, Destin Daniel Cretton, the filmmakers, or Melton himself.
More Big Casting Moves: Melton’s reported casting is one of several major franchise announcements shaking things up this month, with superhero universes seeing plenty of movement too. Our story on Marvel’s X-Men Reboot Makes Its First Major Move as Samara Weaving Lands Emma Frost covers another high-profile reveal fans are dissecting closely.
Charles Melton Reportedly in Final Talks to Play Kakashi Hatake
According to The Hollywood Reporter, with Variety, TheWrap, and other outlets subsequently reporting the same casting development, Melton is in advanced or final negotiations for Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi is the elite ninja who becomes the sensei and leader of Team 7, guiding Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. He is introduced as highly skilled, experienced, and relatively aloof, balancing a relaxed personality with serious combat abilities.
His silver hair, masked face, Sharingan eye, and Chidori technique make him instantly recognizable to Naruto fans.
Melton is currently 35, while Kakashi is depicted as being in his mid-to-late 20s around the beginning of the original story. Still, Melton has a particularly relevant advantage for the physically demanding role: he is a second-degree black belt in taekwondo and competed in the Junior Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. The Hollywood Reporter also notes that he is a longtime fan of anime and manga.
Mystery Roles Fans Are Still Chasing: Melton’s potential casting adds real clarity to one long-anticipated adaptation, while other franchises are still keeping fans guessing about their newest additions. Our coverage of Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Sadie Sink’s Character Mystery digs into one such unresolved casting question.
What Will the Live-Action Naruto Movie Be About?
Based on Masashi Kishimoto’s hugely successful manga, the movie follows the world of Naruto Uzumaki, a young, energetic ninja determined to become Hokage, the leader of his village.
Naruto is also the host of the Nine-Tailed Fox, a powerful creature sealed inside him. Its presence shapes his difficult childhood and complicated standing within the Hidden Leaf Village.
Kishimoto’s manga ran in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, later expanding into multiple animated series and becoming one of the world’s biggest manga and anime franchises.
The Hollywood adaptation has been in development for more than a decade. Lionsgate acquired the live-action feature rights years ago, while Cretton officially became attached to direct in 2024.
Explosive Confrontations From Another Franchise: Naruto’s central conflicts have always leaned on high-stakes rivalries, a storytelling instinct other blockbusters are leaning into just as hard right now. Our report on Avengers: Doomsday Hall H Footage Reveals Reed Richards’ Explosive Face-Off With Doctor Doom—and It Changes Everything We Thought We Knew breaks down one such reveal from this year’s convention circuit.
Destin Daniel Cretton Is Directing the Naruto Movie
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Short Term 12 filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton is directing the movie and producing alongside Jeyun Munford through his company, Hisako.
Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu are producing for Arad Productions, alongside Jeremy Latcham. Cretton and Munford are also producers.
The supplied reporting says production is currently being eyed for around February 2027, although no release date has been announced.
Fan Theories Fueling Convention Buzz: A director with Cretton’s Marvel pedigree taking on Naruto has fans speculating about crossover potential and creative direction alike, the same kind of speculation that spilled over at this year’s biggest superhero panel. Our story on Deadpool Crashed Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday Panel at SDCC 2026—Was Ryan Reynolds Secretly Pitching Himself Into the Movie? covers one such moment that had the internet buzzing.
Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura Casting Search Is Still Underway
Melton could become the first major actor publicly connected to the live-action Naruto movie, but the most important pieces of Team 7 are still missing.
A worldwide casting search began during summer 2026 for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. The production is seeking athletic, energetic actors in their late teens who speak fluent English, with additional supporting casting expected to follow.
That means the movie could soon move from years of development into a much more visible production phase.
A Franchise’s Roadmap Taking Shape: A worldwide casting search like this is a clear sign of a franchise moving from planning into production, and other major studios have been laying out their own roadmaps in similarly big ways recently. Our roundup of Marvel Just Rewrote Its Future at SDCC 2026 — Every Major MCU Announcement That Changes What’s Coming Next covers a comparable wave of franchise-defining reveals.
Masashi Kishimoto Is Excited About the Hollywood Adaptation
Kishimoto has previously welcomed the project and expressed excitement about Cretton directing.
“Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another.”
Discussing the Hollywood adaptation, Kishimoto said:
“My work, Naruto, is truly, truly becoming a Hollywood movie!”
He also called Cretton’s involvement another major development:
“And an even greater miracle is that the film will be directed by the one and only Destin Daniel Cretton.”
Kishimoto concluded:
“I still cannot believe it!”
Cretton has also spoken about the worldwide Team 7 casting search, saying he was:
“thrilled to kick off this worldwide casting search for our Team 7 and to bring the incredible universe of NARUTO to life.”
A New Hero Reshaping Another Franchise: Kishimoto’s excitement over seeing his creation reimagined echoes how fans have reacted to bold new character additions elsewhere in franchise filmmaking. Our story on Black Panther 3 Just Changed the MCU Forever: Why Ryan Coogler’s Bold New Hero Could Redefine Wakanda covers one such addition generating similar excitement.
Why Charles Melton Could Be a Strong Kakashi Choice
Kakashi is far more than a supporting character. As Team 7’s leader, he becomes Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura’s first major mentor and plays a central role in the early story.
The character requires a performer who can sell both his laid-back attitude and formidable fighting ability, while handling his more serious emotional moments. Melton’s martial-arts background could become especially valuable in a live-action version built around physical action.
His possible casting also gives the project an established adult actor while younger performers are still being sought.
Charles Melton’s Career and the X-Men Connection
Melton first became widely known as Reggie Mantle in Riverdale. He later earned major critical attention for Todd Haynes’ May December, starring opposite Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, before receiving an Emmy nomination for Season 2 of Netflix’s Beef.
His other recent credits include Alex Garland’s Warfare and Nicolas Winding Refn’s Her Private Hell. He has also previously been linked by rumours to Marvel’s upcoming X-Men movie as Beast, also known as Hank McCoy, although he was not announced for the project at D23.
Naruto Movie Production Status and Release Date
As of August 21, 2026, production is reportedly being targeted for around February 2027. Casting remains active, no release date has been announced, and Melton’s deal is not complete.
So, for now, the headline is simple: Charles Melton is reportedly in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake—not officially confirmed as the character.
When a Beloved Character Says Goodbye: Casting decisions like Kakashi’s carry real weight for a franchise’s identity, and other long-running shows have recently had to navigate their own emotional character exits. Our coverage of Chris L. McKenna’s Exit as Jack Brennan on General Hospital covers one such departure fans are still processing.
Current Naruto Movie Details
| Detail | Current Status |
| Movie | Live-action Naruto |
| Studio | Lionsgate |
| Director | Destin Daniel Cretton |
| Reported Kakashi actor | Charles Melton — in final negotiations |
| Naruto/Sasuke/Sakura | Casting search underway |
| Production target | Around February 2027 |
| Release date | Not announced |
| Source report | The Hollywood Reporter, August 20, 2026 |
Disclaimer and Sources
This article is based on reporting and information available as of August 21, 2026, including reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, TheWrap, IGN, Anime News Network, Dark Horizons, Slashfilm, Polygon, ComicBook.com, and The A.V. Club. Charles Melton’s reported casting remains in the negotiation stage and has not been officially confirmed by Lionsgate, the filmmakers, or Melton. Production timing, casting, the script and release plans may change as development continues. Reported negotiations and industry reports should not be treated as an official casting announcement.
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter — Charles Melton in Talks to Play Kakashi in Destin Daniel Cretton’s ‘Naruto’ Movie
- Variety — Charles Melton Reportedly in Talks for Kakashi in ‘Naruto’
- TheWrap — Charles Melton and the ‘Naruto’ Movie
- IGN — Charles Melton Reportedly in Final Negotiations to Play Kakashi
Image Credit:
- Featured Image: Image by Studio Pierrot & Instagram @melton
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