Sony Joins Lionsgate on Live-Action Naruto, With Filming Expected in Spring 2027

Sony has joined Lionsgate on the live-action Naruto film, according to The Hollywood Reporter as cited by Collider. Sony will co-finance the project and handle international distribution, per T-Break.

Lionsgate, which had been developing the adaptation for some time, keeps production and domestic distribution. It has greenlit the film, and production is targeted to begin in spring 2027.

The reports are dated Nov. 3. As of those reports, no release date had been announced.

How the Split Works

Lionsgate has greenlit the film and will oversee its development and production, according to T-Break’s account of the report. It will also release the film in the domestic market.

T-Break says Sony will co-finance the picture and distribute it internationally. IGN, via Yahoo, says Lionsgate handles domestic distribution and Sony Pictures handles international distribution.

Collider describes Sony as a production partner on the project. The arrangement followed a competitive bidding process involving multiple studios, according to The Hollywood Reporter as cited by Collider.

Deal at a Glance
Sony co-finances and distributes internationally; Lionsgate handles development, production and domestic release. Filming is expected in spring 2027, with no release date.

Why Sony Was Considered a Fit

Sony owns Crunchyroll, which Collider describes as the largest anime distributor in North America. Collider sees potential for synergy between the two companies.

IGN reports that Lionsgate viewed Sony as a great partner for this project because of its experience with anime and manga.

The partnership also reunites Sony with director Destin Daniel Cretton, who has an overall deal with the studio, according to Collider. He directed Spider-Man: Brand New Day, released in summer 2026, which Collider says grossed $2.5 billion.

IGN, via Yahoo, says the film grossed more than $2.5 billion and became the third-highest-grossing film of all time. T-Break cites Box Office Mojo as listing it at about $2.52 billion worldwide.

According to IGN, Cretton said he is excited to work with Sony again and called Lionsgate “an incredible partner.”

Who Is Making It

Cretton will write and direct the film, and T-Break says he also produces. His earlier credits include Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), which he also directed for Marvel.

Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu produce for Arad Productions, according to Collider and to T-Break, which credits ComingSoon. Cretton and Jeyun Munford produce for Cretton’s Hisako banner.

IGN reports that Cretton is a longtime fan of the property. In a statement, he said Naruto has “heart, humor, and humanity.”

T-Break quotes Cretton as saying the team is committed to capturing everything fans love about Naruto while introducing it to “a whole new generation” of viewers.

Lionsgate keeps development, production and domestic distribution, while Sony co-finances and takes the film abroad.

Casting, Timing and the Anime Adaptation Field

Accounts differ on casting. Collider describes Charles Melton, known for May December, as the only cast member so far, playing Kakashi Hatake.

IGN, via Yahoo, and T-Break say Melton was reportedly in talks for the role in August. T-Break adds that neither studio has announced him.

Collider says the production is still casting the title role. IGN says more casting news is expected in the coming weeks and months. T-Break says the ensemble is the obvious next announcement and refers to an earlier report on a worldwide casting search for the young Team 7 leads.

Filming is expected to begin in spring 2027. No release date has been announced, and T-Break says a 2027 release looks unlikely.

IGN notes that strong live-action adaptations of anime have been rare, citing Dragonball Evolution (2009) as a poor example. T-Break places the Naruto film among a growing list of anime and manga adaptations, including Netflix’s live-action Gundam film, which has already started filming.