Charles Melton to Play Kakashi Hatake
The Hollywood Reporter • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Charles Melton, recently Emmy-nominated for Netflix's Beef, is in final talks to play Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate's live-action Naruto movie, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.
- The film is based on Masashi Kishimoto's popular manga about Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with a demon fox spirit, serialized from 1999 to 2014 and adapted into successful animated series.
- Melton's character, Kakashi, is a beloved elite ninja mentor, while casting continues for the lead role of Naruto; production is expected to start around February 2027.
- Destin Daniel Cretton, known for directing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is producing alongside Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Emmy Yu, and others.
- Melton, a former Riverdale star and martial arts enthusiast with a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, brings both acting experience and personal passion for anime to the project.
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