Live-action anime adaptations usually suck. But with the director of Shang-Chi at the helm, the Hidden Leaf might actually stand a chance.
We all have PTSD from Dragonball Evolution. We are rightfully skeptical of Netflix's Cowboy Bebop.
But the upcoming Naruto live-action movie from Lionsgate just made a move that demands attention. Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) has signed on to write and direct.
Cretton didn't just make a Marvel movie; he made a martial arts movie with heart. He understands how to film super-powered combat without it looking goofy. That is exactly what Naruto needs.
More importantly, Masashi Kishimoto (the creator of Naruto) released a statement giving his full blessing, saying Cretton is the "perfect director" for the job.
Naruto is hard. You have running with arms behind backs. You have Sexy Jutsu. You have orange jumpsuits. Translating that to live-action without it looking like a bad cosplay video is a monumental task.
But if anyone can balance the emotional weight of Naruto's loneliness with the spectacle of a Rasengan, it's this guy.
Let's remain cautiously optimistic. But please, Hollywood, just get the headbands right.
Status: Pre-production.
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