The search for the next generation of ninjas has officially begun.
Lionsgate has launched a global casting search for the three young leads of the highly anticipated live-action Naruto film: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno—the iconic members of Team 7. Director Destin Daniel Cretton (Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is spearheading the search alongside the studio as pre-production ramps up. Casting for additional characters will be conducted in stages .
To mark the casting announcement, Cretton shared on social media: “Kishimoto’s stories have inspired generations of fans around the world. It is an honor to bring that world and its characters to the big screen for the first time in live-action. I am thrilled to be able to bring the amazing world of NARUTO to life by starting this global casting search to find the members of Team 7!”
While no formal statement has been released yet, sources indicate creator Masashi Kishimoto has been involved in early conversations about the adaptation and has shared his support for the project. His manga, which ran from 1999 to 2014, has sold over 250 million copies worldwide and inspired a sprawling anime franchise that defined a generation of fandom.
The global casting search marks a significant step forward for the long-gestating project, which has been in development since 2015. With Cretton attached to direct and a script from Tasha Huo (Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft), the film is finally gaining momentum .
For fans who grew up with Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, this is the moment the live-action adaptation starts to feel real. The casting search is open globally—meaning the next Hokage could come from anywhere .
More updates as the search continues. Believe it!
Source: Naruto Official
