Updated
Updated · Variety · Aug 20
Charles Melton Nears Kakashi Role in Live-Action Naruto as Global Casting Search Expands
Updated
Updated · Variety · Aug 20

Charles Melton Nears Kakashi Role in Live-Action Naruto as Global Casting Search Expands

3 articles · Updated · Variety · Aug 20

Summary

  • Charles Melton is in close talks to play Kakashi Hatake in Destin Daniel Cretton’s live-action “Naruto,” marking the first major casting move reported since the project widened its search.
  • Last month, the film launched a global hunt for actors to play Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura, the central trio from the manga and anime about a young ninja aiming to lead his village.
  • Melton arrives with fresh momentum after an Emmy nomination for Netflix’s “Beef” Season 2 and acclaim for 2023’s “May December,” adding a high-profile name to the adaptation.
  • Cretton is coming off “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which has topped $800 million domestically, as Lionsgate develops a film that follows an earlier 2014 “Naruto” movie attempt that never materialized.

Insights

Will Charles Melton's potential casting as Kakashi finally break Hollywood's notorious anime adaptation curse for the Naruto film?
Could Charles Melton's rumored negotiations for both Naruto and X-Men force him to choose between two massive Hollywood franchises?
With the creator calling it a miracle, can Destin Daniel Cretton's live-action Naruto capture the anime's magic without cramming the plot?