How is the Naruto Live-Action Adaptation?
Naruto is not the first manga or anime to be adapted into a live-action film. Series like Dragon Ball, Cowboy Bebop, and Death Note have also been transformed into live-action adaptations. However, none of these works have been well-received by critics, let alone longtime fans.
One reason for this may be the lack of fidelity to the original material. A prime example is Dragon Ball Evolution, which is considered one of the worst live-action adaptations ever made. The film completely “Westernized” both the content and characters, resulting in a product that fails to compare with the manga and anime.
Naruto Live-Action: A “Disaster”
Currently, the Naruto live-action film seems to be heading towards being listed among the failed live-action adaptations. Insiders have reported that it may be worse than what people expect.
According to a report, it appears that the film’s team “knows nothing” about the original material: “It’s unfortunate that the people working on the film don’t even know who the antagonist of the (series) is, yet they are still developing the movie.”
Needless to say, this is quite disappointing for fans who have been anticipating this film for many years. When Lionsgate announced a live-action adaptation of the beloved anime in 2015, fans were thrilled. At that time, Michael Gracey, the director of The Greatest Showman, was selected to helm the project, with Avi Arad as the producer.
The project also received the approval of Naruto’s creator, Masashi Kishimoto. However, production on the film has stalled since then. In 2018, Gracey told Collider: “Until the script reaches the level I expect, I have no interest in ruining a great brand.”
This led to Gracey eventually stepping away from the project, possibly due to a lack of progress on the script. However, nearly a decade after its announcement, the Naruto live-action film finally received an update in 2024.
Lionsgate has brought in Destin Daniel Cretton to direct this long-delayed project. Cretton has previously worked on high-budget fantasy projects, directing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings for the MCU in 2021. This information has given fans some hope for forthcoming updates about the project.