Actor Charles Melton is in close talks to step into the world of Naruto, with the Emmy-nominated star being considered for the role of Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate’s long-planned live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese manga. The film will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, while Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto is involved with the project. A deal with Melton has not yet been officially announced.
The potential casting would give the film one of its first major names as work continues on assembling the actors who will bring Team 7 and the wider Naruto universe to live action. Kakashi is among the franchise’s most recognisable characters, serving as mentor to Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. Known for his calm demeanour, formidable combat abilities and distinctive masked appearance, Kakashi is also referred to as the “Copy Ninja” and “Kakashi of the Sharingan”.
Melton emerges for Kakashi
Melton rose to prominence playing Reggie Mantle in the television series Riverdale, which ran from 2017 to 2023. His career subsequently moved increasingly towards film and prestige television, with his performance in Todd Haynes’ May December earning widespread critical attention. He has since appeared in Warfare and received an Emmy nomination for the second season of Beef.
Casting Melton as Kakashi would place a relatively established actor at the centre of a project whose younger leads are still being assembled. An open casting search has been under way for the role of Naruto, with filmmakers looking for a young actor capable of carrying the adaptation. No complete cast has been announced so far.
Cretton takes charge
The live-action film is being directed by Cretton, whose credits include Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Short Term 12, The Glass Castle and Just Mercy. He is also producing the adaptation, with Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu producing through Arad Productions and Jeremy Latcham also attached to the project.
Kishimoto has previously expressed enthusiasm about Cretton taking charge of the adaptation. The involvement of the manga creator is likely to be closely watched by fans, particularly given Hollywood’s uneven record in translating major manga and anime properties into live-action films.
A global manga phenomenon
Naruto follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja determined to become Hokage — the leader and protector of his village — while carrying within him the powerful Nine-Tailed Fox. Kishimoto’s manga was serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014 and developed into an enormous international entertainment franchise through anime series, films, games and merchandise.
Kakashi occupies a particularly important place in that story. As the leader of Team 7, he is responsible for training Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura and becomes both a teacher and an influential figure in their development. His popularity across the manga and anime makes the role one of the more closely watched casting decisions surrounding the Hollywood adaptation.
The franchise has already expanded extensively on screen, including 11 anime films released between 2004 and 2015 across the original Naruto era and Naruto Shippuden. The live-action project, however, represents a substantially different challenge as Lionsgate attempts to translate Kishimoto’s stylised ninja world and its large cast of characters for a theatrical audience.
Release date awaited
The live-action Naruto film does not yet have an announced release date, and much of its cast remains under wraps. Melton’s negotiations therefore represent an important early indication of how Lionsgate and Cretton intend to build the film’s ensemble.
For now, Melton’s involvement remains subject to a final agreement. Should the deal be completed, the actor would take on one of the franchise’s most beloved characters — and one whose transition from manga and anime to live action will inevitably face intense scrutiny from Naruto’s global fan base.