An experienced editor representing Canada through Screen Rant’s Team Anime, JR has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion has driven him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having most recently served as the Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.
His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the first series of Size 100 And Bleach: TYBW Part 2 consecutive and brief meeting with Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.
Although it was announced in 2015, Naruto’s Lionsgate’s long-awaited live-action film is still on the way, with key contributors to the project still keeping the fire burning. As Naruto’s A particularly ambitious and visually demanding manga to adapt, it required care from both its acclaimed director and, obviously, the key writers for its screenplay.
This is the case of Tasha Huo, showrunner of the Amazon Prime Video series. The mighty Nein and co-author of Naruto film starting November 27, 2023. Huo faces the daunting task of adapting a rich and captivating live-action manga that, while being successfully achieved One piece casehas been the subject of serious skepticism after numerous high-profile failures.
Still, Huo remains undeterred, as confirmed in a November 20, 2025 interview with NexusPoint News. Even if the discussion was divided between the themes of his work on Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, The Mighty Nein, And Naruto, Huo was able to talk about her work on the project, for which she completed the script.
Naruto Live-Action Screenwriter Reflects on the Process of Adapting the Hit Manga
When asked about the completed script for Naruto’s live-action film co-written by her with fellow co/writer and Spider-Man: A Whole New Day director Destin Daniel CrettonHuo discussed the understandable challenges of adapting a manga for the big screen.
Citing the need to create a grounded and authentic feel to match real-life action, Huo reflects on Naruto’s challenges. “For Narutoit was about grounding it, making it real and believable in the world of a live-action film. When you watch it or read it, it’s so crazy. It’s so good, but it’s so crazy.”
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Huo reflects further, saying, “The rules you kind of take for granted because of the medium you’re watching it in, but once you translate them to real people saying real lines and having to convey a real plot.” Huo concludes his reflection by saying: “Yes, it was the challenge but also the joy because they are so much fun.”
Huo clearly showed care towards established IPs in the case of Tomb Raider, Critical roles Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, and The legendary Shonen Jump manga by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto. In the months following this interview, with the scenario of Naruto cited as complete, fans are left with an indefinite wait time for its release.
Naruto Live-Action Director Hailed by Kishimoto as ‘Perfect Choice’
Although two years have passed since The Hollywood Reporter discussed Cretton’s arrival as director (with Kishimoto’s approval) following the departure of Michael Gracey, he remains an encouraging directorial choice. Proven to handle high-level, martial arts-heavy, fantasy battles with 2021 models Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Cretton even got Kishimoto’s written seal of approval.
“When I heard about Destin’s attachment, it was right after watching one of his hit action films, and I thought he would be the perfect director for this film. Naruto. After enjoying his other films and realizing that his strong point was creating solid dramas about people, I became convinced that there was no other director for Naruto. Upon meeting Destin, I also discovered that he was an open-minded director, willing to accept my input and confident that we would be able to cooperate together in the production process.
-Masashi Kishimoto
It’s always encouraging to have the approval of a series’ creator, especially since Kishimoto was tapped to co-develop the series. Naruto film in 2016. This proves a mutual respect between Kishimoto and Cretton, as well as Cretton and Huo for the available property. While there have been few other updates, a completed storyline and love for the franchise remain key milestones.
