The upcoming Naruto live-action movie has attracted fresh attention following producer Jeremy Latcham’s appointment as the new president and chief creative officer of DC Studios. The former Marvel executive is expected to take over the leadership position on December 1, 2026, but reports about his transition have raised questions about his other ongoing projects, including the Hollywood adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s popular manga.
According to ComicBook.com, Latcham is reportedly working to untangle himself from some existing commitments, including the Naruto movie. However, his departure from the project has not been officially confirmed. In fact, Skydance’s November 9 announcement still identifies him as a producer on the adaptation, making his current involvement unclear.
Jeremy Latcham’s DC Studios appointment raises questions about Naruto
Skydance announced on November 9 that Latcham would replace James Gunn and Peter Safran as the head of DC Studios. Gunn and Safran are stepping away from their leadership positions to return to their creative work, while Latcham will oversee DC’s film, television, and animation slate.
Latcham previously worked at Marvel Studios, contributing to major productions including The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. His new responsibilities could affect his availability for projects outside DC, although no official statement has confirmed that he has left Naruto.
Skydance’s official announcement also lists Latcham among the producers of the upcoming Naruto movie.
Lionsgate and Sony’s Naruto adaptation is targeting 2027 production
The live-action Naruto movie is being developed by Lionsgate, with Sony Pictures joining as a co-financing and international distribution partner. Lionsgate will continue overseeing development and production while handling the film’s domestic release. Sony will manage international distribution.
Destin Daniel Cretton, known for directing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is attached to write, direct, and produce the adaptation. Production is expected to begin in spring 2027, although the studios have not announced an exact filming date or theatrical release date.
The film is based on Kishimoto’s manga, which follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village. The original manga ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014 and became one of the most successful Japanese comic franchises worldwide.
Charles Melton’s reported Kakashi casting remains unconfirmed
Casting is another major question surrounding the adaptation. In August 2026, it was reported that actor Charles Melton was in final talks to play Kakashi Hatake, the experienced ninja who becomes a mentor to Naruto and his teammates.
However, neither Lionsgate nor Sony has officially confirmed his casting. A worldwide search was also launched for the central roles of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, but no actors have been officially announced for those characters.
Cretton has previously discussed his enthusiasm for adapting Kishimoto’s work and has been working closely with the original creator. With production approaching, further casting and creative announcements are likely to be important developments for fans.
For now, Latcham’s new DC Studios position raises questions about his schedule, but there is no confirmed indication that his departure from Naruto has taken place or that the film’s planned production timeline has changed.
| Release Date | September 12, 1998 |
|---|---|
| Studio | Next Wave Films; Syncopy |
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
| Writer(s) | Christopher Nolan |
