Actor Charles Melton may join the film adaptation of Naruto

American actor Charles Melton is in final negotiations to participate in a full-length film adaptation of the manga Naruto. He was offered the role of Kakashi Hatake, the mentor of the main characters and one of the most recognizable characters in the franchise. This was reported by Variety on August 20.

Charles Melton can play Kakashi

According to the publication, negotiations between the actor and the filmmakers are at an advanced stage. At the same time, the contract has not yet been signed, and the studio Lionsgate declined to comment on Melton's possible involvement in the project.

If the deal is completed, he will become the first known actor associated with the film adaptation. The performers of the central roles Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno have not yet been selected. In July 2026, Lionsgate and director Destin Daniel Cretton announced an international casting of young actors for the roles of team members. The creators intend to consider candidates from different countries, and the selection of performers for other roles should take place later.

Filming is tentatively scheduled to begin in February 2027, The Hollywood Reporter reported. The release date of the film has not yet been revealed.

Who is Kakashi Hatake?

Kakashi Hatake is an experienced Shinobi of the village of Hidden Leaf and mentor of Team No. 7, which includes Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. The hero almost always hides the lower part of his face under a mask, is distinguished by his outward calmness, observation, and a habit of being late for meetings.

Kakashi's frivolous behavior hides one of the strongest ninjas of his generation. He was nicknamed the Copying Ninja due to sharingan, a special ability that allowed him to analyze and reproduce the techniques of opponents. Kakashi also trains students to act together and explains to them that loyalty to friends is more important than the formal fulfillment of a task.

The character plays an essential role not only in the formation of Naruto, but also in the development of Sasuke and Sakura. His past is connected with the war, the death of friends and feelings of guilt, so Kakashi combines the functions of a mentor, an independent dramatic hero and one of the connecting characters of the whole story. In the Japanese animated version, Kakashi is voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue. The English-speaking voice of the character was Dave Wittenberg.

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Who is Charles Melton?

Charles Melton became widely known after playing Reggie Mantle in the TV series Riverdale. Subsequently, the actor focused on feature films and more dramatic projects.

One of Melton's most notable works was the role of Joe Yu in Todd Haynes' May, December, starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. The actor also appeared in the war drama "Under Fire" and starred in the second season of the TV series "Grudge." For his work in "Grudge," Melton received the first Emmy Award nomination in his career in the Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a TV Movie category.

The role of Kakashi may be the actor's first participation in a major full-length franchise based on a Japanese manga. Melton was previously mentioned as a possible candidate for the role of the Beast in the new X-Men, but Marvel has not officially confirmed this information.

What is known about the film adaptation of Naruto

The film is being developed by Lionsgate. In February 2024, the studio signed an agreement with Destin Daniel Cretton, who is to direct and co-write the project. He is known for the films "Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings", "Short Term 12" and "The Glass Castle".

Cretton is also involved in the production of the film adaptation through his company Hisako. The film's producers include Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu from Arad Productions, as well as Jeremy Latcham and Jayoon Manford.

Manga creator Masashi Kishimoto approved Cretton's candidacy after a personal meeting with the director in Tokyo. According to the author, he was convinced by the director's ability to combine large-scale action with dramatic stories about people.

In July 2026, the project moved to the active stage of pre-production. Then the creators launched an international search for actors for the roles of Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Kishimoto expressed the hope that the casting would allow him to find performers who could convey the characters of the characters he created.

The plot of the film is still kept secret. It is unknown whether the picture will repeat the first chapters of the manga in detail or whether the creators will combine several storylines. The choice of Kakashi as the first adult role indicates that a significant place in the film adaptation is likely to be occupied by the formation of team No. 7 and the first joint tasks of the characters. However, the content of the script was not officially disclosed.

How the Naruto franchise came about

Masashi Kishimoto's manga was published in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1999 to 2014. Its main character is Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with a Nine—tailed Fox sealed inside. Because of this, the inhabitants of his native village avoid the boy, but he seeks to gain their recognition and become the Hokage, the head of the Hidden Leaf.

The story focuses on Naruto's growing up, his rivalry and friendship with Sasuke, his relationships with other Shinobi, as well as his confrontation with organizations and opponents threatening the ninja world. One of the central themes of the manga is loneliness, the legacy of wars, revenge and attempts to break the vicious circle of violence.

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The cumulative circulation of Naruto has exceeded 250 million copies in more than 60 countries and territories, according to the official data of the franchise. The manga formed the basis of two major animated series — Naruto and Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles, the total number of episodes of which exceeded 700.

The story was continued in the manga and anime "Boruto", dedicated to Naruto's son and the new generation of Shinobi. At the same time, the upcoming Lionsgate film will be the first Hollywood full-length film adaptation of an original work with live actors.