A new leak hints the live-action Naruto movie could look very different

There's a fresh rumour doing the rounds, and this one is so big the internet's nearly fallen over itself: Naruto is coming to live-action – for real this time, or so the leak claims. Before you groan about yet another attempt by Hollywood to wrangle an anime classic onto the big screen (we've all seen those, and they're mostly dreadful), bear with me. If what's being whispered turns out to be true, this might actually be one of the rare live-action anime films that knows what it's doing. Yes, I know, we've heard that before, but just listen to the details.

Naruto: Mission to the Land of Waves is reportedly set to begin shooting in early 2027, with a potential cinema release in 2028.

The Team Behind It

Here's why people are paying attention: Destin Daniel Cretton, the bloke responsible for Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Wonder Man, is supposed to be directing. That's a step above, say, "random music video guy with a vague interest in Japan". Cretton apparently wants to stick fairly close to the manga and anime, though, of course, they've tweaked things to fit the format. He's signed on under Lionsgate, which is at least a proper studio with a bit of cash and experience handling big properties.

What They're Changing

According to industry watcher Daniel Richtman, we shouldn't expect a frame-for-frame copy. The first film tackles the story's opening arc. If you're a fan, you'll know that means Team 7 — Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and sensei Kakashi — getting thrown into their first serious missions. The main characters' ages will be realistic for once, with the trio properly set between 12 and 13 years old rather than magically ageless anime teens. Naruto himself is going to be a full-on "ninja history nerd", so expect a bit less class clown, a bit more obsessive fanboy energy at the start.

Sakura fans, pay attention because she's getting the biggest revamp. Where the original dragged its feet giving her any decent powers, this version jumps straight in: Sakura shows up with her abilities already switched on, making her properly useful right from the off. They've adjusted her background as well — she's now from a rich family. Her mum is still around and apparently a "wealthy snob", but her dad is dead before we're even through the opening credits, thanks to the giant fox attack. Richtman said on social media that he rates these changes to Sakura's character as actually smart, which is probably code for 'finally giving her something interesting to do'.

The Jinchuriki Tweak

The most controversial shift? How the film handles the Jinchuriki concept — that's the whole 'human hosts for giant tailed beasts' lore, for the non-superfans. Instead of anyone being able to get a demon forcibly stuffed inside them, the new approach means only people with a particular bloodline can qualify. Naruto gets the gig because he inherits this ability from his mother (who, like in the anime, didn't survive the famous Nine-Tails incident). He's the only eligible one left, which is how he ends up with the fox on board. That ought to save lots of time explaining the world's weird internal logic, but expect a certain amount of angry internet essays about it too.

Where and When

• The working title is Naruto: Mission to the Land of Waves.
• They're casting right now, but no one's been officially linked to the main roles yet.
• Shooting is meant to start in early 2027.
• If things ever actually make it that far, the studio is aiming for a 2028 cinema release.