Following the phenomenal hit of Masashi Kishimoto's "Naruto" Lionsgate is reportedly going to adapt the manga into a live-action movie, Screen Rant confirmed.
"Lionsgate has now joined that slow-going race by acquiring the live-action film right to the popular manga/anime franchise Naruto," the publication reported.
Apparently, the giant studio is now trying to court "The Greatest Showman on Earth" director Michael Gracey to get on board to helm the live-action movie according to Variety.
And while the project is still in the early stages of development, no cast lineup has been announced yet, "Ghost in the Shell" and former "Spider-Man" franchise producer Avi Arad is however on board already.
And while Lionsgate is reportedly gearing up for the "Naruto" live-action movie, creator Masashi Kishimoto on the other hand, has announced that he's working on a new sci-fi manga series after the retirement of the "Naruto" manga.
In a press conference held by Otaku Art, Kishimoto made the announcement about his new project.
"After finishing the manga serial [last year], I finally thought I could rest," Kishimoto explained, "but I couldn't..."
According to Anime News Network, the highly acclaimed creator of "Naruto" has decided to work on another manga series that will feature sci-fi plot.
"I've already decided what I'm going to write about in my next work," Kishimoto revealed to Kadokawa's Entermix entertainment magazine. "I'm thinking of writing a science-fiction work. I've already finalized the character designs."
Without comparing it to Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto said that the untitled sci-fi manga's protagonist is a never before seen in the manga world.
"I think the protagonist is one that hasn't been seen before in manga, and while it's me saying it, I think that the character is done very well."
Kishimoto is confident that his new project will also gain a huge following just like "Naruto."
"I want to think once more about the difference between what I want to write and what readers are looking for when reading my works," Kishimoto stated. "I started thinking about this by writing 'Naruto' and various one-shots. 'Naruto' became an unexpected hit, but I want to make my next work a hit as well by actually aiming to do so."
Meanwhile, "Naruto" live-action movie release date has yet to be announced.
