After a long wait of eight years since the announcement of the Naruto live-action adaptation by Lionsgate, the project is back in the spotlight with a significant update. This development has stirred a mix of excitement and apprehension among fans of the beloved manga and anime series.
A Leap Forward in Adaptation
Tasha Huo, acclaimed for her work on Red Sonja, The Witcher: Blood Origin, and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, has been roped in as the screenwriter for the Naruto live-action adaptation. Huo’s track record in handling iconic characters and IPs speaks volumes about the potential direction of this ambitious project.
“Adapting iconic characters or IP makes the writing of it easier, because the passion for writing it is already there. I’m so inspired by these characters already that it’s exciting to just take a part of their journey and try to tell that fun story in a way that would appeal to me as a fan.”
Fans’ Mixed Reactions
The update has reignited the enthusiasm of fans worldwide. The success of the One Piece live-action adaptation has set a precedent, leading to high hopes for the Naruto film. However, given the mixed outcomes of previous live-action anime adaptations, a portion of the fanbase remains cautiously optimistic.
A live-action ‘NARUTO’ movie is in the works.
(Source: https://t.co/QjuOTtCR3g) pic.twitter.com/UjgA1ZBEL3
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 25, 2023
The Journey of Naruto
Naruto is not just a name but a phenomenon. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, this Japanese manga series has captivated audiences globally since its serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014. The story split into two parts, chronicles the life of Naruto Uzumaki from his pre-teen years to his adventures as a teenager. The series also pays homage to Kishimoto’s earlier works, Karakuri and Naruto (1997 one-shot).
Anime Legacy
The massive popularity of the manga led to its adaptation into an anime television series by Pierrot and Aniplex. The first part of the manga was adapted into 220 episodes from 2002 to 2007 and aired on TV Tokyo. The second part, under the title Naruto: Shippuden, continued the saga with 500 episodes from 2007 to 2017.
Moving Forward
With the announcement back in 2015 about the film’s development under Avi Arad’s Arad Productions and Michael Gracey as the director, and the recent involvement of Masashi Kishimoto in the development process, the Naruto live-action film is gearing up to be a significant event in the world of anime adaptations. Fans around the globe are eagerly waiting to see how this beloved story will unfold in its new live-action avatar
