Charles Melton will portray Kakashi in Destin Daniel Cretton's Naruto film.

      After releasing Spider-Man: Brand New Day to critical and commercial success, director Destin Daniel Cretton is now aiming to adapt the iconic manga Naruto into a live-action feature film. Reports suggest we may have our first casting news.

      According to The Hollywood Reporter, Emmy-nominated actor Charles Melton, known for his role in Beef, is in the final stages of negotiations to join the Lionsgate project. If an agreement is finalized, he is set to portray the beloved character Kakashi Hatake, who serves as a mentor to Naruto Uzumaki and his companions.

      Melton gained recognition in The CW series Riverdale and appeared alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in the 2023 film May December. His recent credits also include Alex Garland’s Warfare and Nicolas Winding Refn’s Her Private Hell, which debuted last month.

      Created by Masashi Kishimoto and first published in 1999, Naruto centers on a young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village who, despite facing ridicule for harboring the spirit of a powerful nine-tailed fox, dreams of becoming his village's leader. With over 250 million copies sold globally, it ranks among the best-selling manga series of all time, and its anime adaptation has also garnered significant international success. Filming for the live-action movie is anticipated to commence in February 2027.

      About Gary Collinson: Gary Collinson is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Flickering Myth. He is a writer and producer specializing in film, television, and digital content, known for works such as the gothic horror feature The Baby in the Basket, the suspense thriller Death Among the Pines, and the horror franchise reboot Robert Returns. He is also the author of Holy Franchise, Batman! Bringing the Caped Crusader to the Screen.