Emmy-nominated actor Charles Melton (Beef, Riverdale) is in final negotiations to step into the role of Kakashi Hatake, the legendary Copy Ninja and Team 7 mentor, in Lionsgate's live-action feature adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's landmark manga Naruto.
The production is being spearheaded by director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), who will also produce through his Hisako banner alongside Jeyun Munford. Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu of Arad Productions join Jeremy Latcham as producers on the long-gestating project.
Expanding Team 7
Melton's potential casting marks the first major talent attachment for the shinobi roster following the official launch of an open global casting call in July seeking performers for the central trio of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. Screenwriter Tasha Huo (Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, Red Sonja) was previously attached to pen the script.
Kishimoto serialized the original Naruto manga in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, chronicling a young ninja's quest for recognition across 72 volumes. The manga grew into an international multimedia titan, generating multiple anime adaptations, theatrical films, stage plays, and the ongoing sequel Boruto.
