American filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton has moved into pre-production with Lionsgate on the long-gestating live-action adaptation of 'Naruto', with industry outlets confirming the project quietly entered that phase in July 2026. The 47-year-old director is turning his attention to Masashi Kishimoto's blockbuster manga franchise while continuing to ride global box office success with his latest theatrical release.
This shift comes in the wake of the record-breaking 31 July premiere of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day', a blockbuster that has further raised Cretton's profile as a director. It also follows an unexpected internal decision by Marvel Studios to cancel the second season of 'Wonder Man', a Disney+ series Cretton co-created and helped bring to life.
