Actor Charles Melton is in final negotiations to star as Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate’s live-action Naruto adaptation, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The project is eyeing a February 2027 production start in South Korea, while an international open casting search continues for the title role of Naruto Uzumaki.
Charles Melton is officially stepping into the world of shinobi. The Emmy-nominated actor is in final negotiations to play the masked elite mentor Kakashi Hatake in the upcoming live-action Naruto feature film set up at Lionsgate. The casting marks a major first step for the high-profile adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s legendary manga series.
The production brings together a major commercial powerhouse behind the camera. Destin Daniel Cretton is set to direct the film following his massive success with the global box-office smash hit Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which has grossed over $800 million domestically and crossed $2 billion globally.
Behind the Casting of Kakashi Hatake
Kakashi serves as Team 7’s enigmatic leader and mentor, a fan-favorite figure burdened by a tragic backstory. For an adaptation likely being built as an origin-centric franchise starter, nailing the role of the mentor is critical. Trade reporting noted that securing an established actor early helps legitimize the film and provides a stable anchor for the younger leads who must still be cast.
Melton brings notable physical credentials to the role alongside his dramatic background. The actor is a second-degree black belt in taekwondo who competed in the Junior Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea, and won gold in the International Taekwondo Federation foreign nationals division. He is also recognized as an avid manga reader and anime enthusiast.
“Dragon Ball Z, that’s just the classic. That’s my childhood. Demon Slayer, I mean, Tanjiro, man — he finds strength in the love that he has for his sister and his friends. He’s one of the most honorable characters I’ve seen. Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen — man, I just love him, okay?”
Charles Melton, via IGN
Connecting the Franchises and Creative Team
Social media reaction to the casting news immediately drew comparisons to recent rumors surrounding Marvel’s upcoming X-Men lineup. Fans quickly connected the dots regarding the actor’s schedule, wondering openly on platforms like X why he stepped away from potential mutant roles.
One commenter wrote: Now I can see why he dropped the role of MCU Beast for this,
while another user asked: So this is why he turned down the Beast role?
IGN noted that Kelsey Grammer was later revealed to be reprising the role.
Melton’s career trajectory has shifted decisively toward prestige and blockbuster projects following his breakout performance on the CW series Riverdale. He earned an Emmy nomination for his work in the second season of Netflix’s anthology series Beef and drew major critical acclaim for his performance in Todd Haynes’ 2023 drama May December, starring alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore.
Production Timeline and the Search for Naruto
While the role of Kakashi is near lock, the production still faces the monumental task of filling its titular lead. An open casting call was published in summer 2026, targeting young male actors aged 16 to 20 who are athletic, expressive, and fluent in English to portray Naruto Uzumaki, alongside searches for Sasuke and Sakura.
Manga creator Masashi Kishimoto expressed astonishment at the Hollywood adaptation coming together under Cretton’s direction, noting on the official franchise website that he “cannot believe” his work is reaching the big screen in this capacity.
The live-action feature is being produced by Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu through Arad Productions alongside Jeremy Latcham. Director Destin Daniel Cretton is producing alongside Jeyun Munford through his company, Hisako.
Principal photography for the adaptation is eyeing a February 2027 start, giving casting directors a narrow window to round out Team 7 before cameras roll.
In a profile interview with a trade publication, the actor discussed how his personal interests and martial arts expertise would inform his approach to the character.
