Director of Spider-Man: Brand New Day Might Have Found His Lead for Naruto Live-Action Film

Following speculation about his potential role in the upcoming X-Men reboot as Hank McCoy/Beast, Charles Melton is now in discussions for a completely different project. Reports indicate that Melton is in “final negotiations” to star in a live-action adaptation of Naruto, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Melton is being considered for the role of Kakashi Hatake, the mentor to Team 7, which includes ninjas Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. Initially portrayed as a laid-back and somewhat indifferent teacher who enjoys reading risqué novels, Kakashi ultimately reveals himself to be one of the most formidable and dedicated ninjas in the Hidden Leaf Village, showcasing impressive abilities like his signature Chidori attack.

While Melton gained recognition from his role in The CW’s Riverdale, he has recently expanded his repertoire with performances in May December, Warfare, and Beef season 2, the latter earning him an Emmy nomination. Cretton’s career has also seen a rapid ascent; after directing films such as The Glass Castle and Just Mercy, he made his mark in the MCU with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and is currently enjoying the success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which has been breaking box office records.

Melton is the first actor linked to Cretton’s live-action Naruto film, following the director’s announcement of a casting search for the main characters, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Production for the Naruto movie is expected to commence around February 2027.

Lionsgate initially attempted to develop a Naruto film nearly a decade ago, and Cretton joined the project in 2024, receiving the endorsement of series creator Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto expressed confidence in Cretton’s ability to bring the story to life, stating, “After enjoying his other films and understanding that his forte is in creating solid dramas about people, I became convinced that there is no other director for Naruto.”