Charles Melton is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake in Destin Daniel Cretton's upcoming live-action Naruto film. The Hollywood Reporter cited sources close to the production, indicating Melton's casting is nearly finalized.
Melton, known for his roles in "Riverdale" and "Beef," has spoken openly about his passion for anime and manga. In an interview with The New Yorker, he shared his habit of watching anime late into the night, listing "Dragon Ball Z," "Demon Slayer," and "Jujutsu Kaisen" among his favorites. While "Naruto" was not explicitly mentioned in his top series, his background includes martial arts training, holding a second-degree black belt in taekwondo with international competition experience.
The potential casting has generated significant online discussion, with some fans noting it as a plausible reason for Melton reportedly turning down a role in Marvel's upcoming X-Men film. Online commentary suggests Melton's skills and persona could be a strong fit for the masked shinobi.
Casting for the titular role of Naruto is still ongoing. An open casting call was issued in summer 2026, seeking athletic, expressive young male actors between 16 and 20 years old with fluent English.
"Naruto" creator Masashi Kishimoto has expressed his excitement about the Hollywood adaptation, calling it a "miracle" and particularly noting his enthusiasm for Destin Daniel Cretton's involvement. Cretton's previous directorial work includes the record-breaking Marvel film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."