Destin Daniel Cretton definitely has a packed schedule, but his next major directorial effort could take himto the Hidden Leaf Village.
With Spider-Man: Brand New Day wrapping up production, Cretton still has two key Marvel commitments on his slate: the second season of Disney+’s Wonder Man and a presumably eventual Shang-Chi sequel.
However, a global casting search from Lionsgate for the live-action Naturo movie was just launched recently, suggests the adaptation of the iconic anime and manga could be fast-tracked as his very next feature project.
While out promoting Brand New Day, Cretton spoke to Rolling Stone about his attachment to Naruto and what he hopes to explore with the project. In response to that question, Cretton answered. "Naruto's trajectory, his feelings of being an outsider, the feeling of having an ugliness or a monster or some part of you that you’re ashamed of, and then coming to realize that’s the part that makes you unique, that gives you your power."
Cretton, who grew up half-Japanese in Hawaii, says the story has always hit home for him. Meeting franchise creator Masashi Kishimoto only cemented that bond. As Cretton put it, "When I met Kishimoto-san, the creator, it just amplified that feeling of connection."
In a previous interview,screenwriter Tasha Huo remarked, "For Naruto, it was to ground it, to make it feel real and believable in the world of a live-action movie. When you watch it or read it, it's so bonkers. It's so good, but it is so bonkers."
"The rules you just sort of kind of take for granted because of the medium you're watching it in, but once you translate it to real people saying real lines and needing to convey real plot. Yeah, that was the challenge but also the joy of it because they're just so fun."
In a February 2024 press release, Adam Fogelson, Chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, stated, "This manga classic is beloved by millions of fans all around the world, and Destin has delivered a vision for the movie that we believe will excite that massive fan base as well as those who are new to it. Avi [Arad] and I have had the pleasure of working together before and I know that as we collaborate with Destin and the team on Naruto, we are in extraordinary hands."
“It was a true honor to meet Kishimoto-san in Tokyo and hear his expansive vision for his creation,” said Cretton in that same press release. “We are very excited to collaborate and bring Naruto to the big screen.”
Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto also stated, "When I heard of Destin’s attachment, it happened to be right after watching a blockbuster action film of his, and I thought he would be the perfect director for Naruto. After enjoying his other films and understanding that his forte is in creating solid dramas about people, I became convinced that there is no other director for Naruto."