Charles Melton is in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate's live-action adaptation of Naruto, according to a report published Thursday by The Hollywood Reporter and subsequently cited by other entertainment outlets. The proposed role would place the Emmy-nominated actor at the center of one of Hollywood's most closely watched manga adaptations, although the agreement is not yet complete and Lionsgate has declined to comment on the talks.
Kakashi is the masked elite ninja who mentors Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno as Team 7 in Masashi Kishimoto's original story. His combination of combat skill, reserve and responsibility makes him one of the franchise's most recognizable adult characters. Casting Melton would give the production an established performer while the studio continues seeking younger actors for the three central students.
The official Naruto website confirmed in July that Lionsgate and director Destin Daniel Cretton had begun a worldwide casting search for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura as pre-production accelerated. The announcement said casting for additional characters would follow. Separate audition notices seek Asian and mixed-race Asian performers aged 16 to 20 for Team 7 and indicate a production commitment spanning much of 2027.
Cretton is directing and producing the film through his Hisako company with Jeyun Munford. The project also lists Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu of Arad Productions and Jeremy Latcham among its producers. Industry reporting says filming is being targeted for around February 2027, but Lionsgate has not announced a release date or publicly confirmed the wider cast.
Melton became widely known as Reggie Mantle in Riverdale and later earned acclaim for May December. The fresh report follows his Emmy nomination for the second season of Beef, adding momentum to a career that has moved between television and major films. Negotiations for Kakashi represent a significant step, but the absence of a studio confirmation means the casting should still be treated as pending.
Naruto began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and concluded in 2014 before expanding through internationally distributed animated series, films, games and other media. The new negotiations show the adaptation moving from general development toward assembling its on-screen team. Attention now turns to whether Melton closes the deal and whom Lionsgate selects through its global search for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura.
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