Jacob Batalon Hints at Live-Action Naruto’s Origin Story Direction

Actor Jacob Batalon has offered his best guess at the creative direction of Destin Daniel Cretton’s long-awaited live-action Brand New Day adaptation of the iconic anime, suggesting the film will likely center on the coming-of-age journey of Team 7. The actor, best known for playing Peter Parker’s best friend Ned Leeds across the Tom Holland Spider-Man trilogy, shared his thoughts during a September 19 episode of Crunchyroll’s The Anime Effect podcast, where he fielded questions from hosts about the classic series and its Hollywood reboot.

When pressed on what Cretton gravitates toward in the source material, Batalon pointed to the foundational arc of the original franchise’s core cast — Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and their mentor Kakashi Hatake. According to the actor, the director’s apparent fondness for that early chapter reflects a broader storytelling strategy when translating a beloved property to a mainstream cinematic audience.

An Origin Story as the Natural Starting Point

Speaking candidly about the creative instincts behind the project, Batalon explained that he believes Cretton is drawn to the formative narrative of Team 7. He framed this preference as a deliberate choice rather than a mere coincidence of taste.

“I think he likes the aspect of Team 7 and their coming-up story,” he explained. “I think that’s really cool. I think for a lot of storytelling in movies, when you’re trying to move from a specific IP to movies meant for everyone, you have to start somewhere where everyone kind of understands where they’re coming from. I think a lot of origin story-type things are really important when you’re trying to tell a story that not everyone is accustomed to.”

Jacob Batalon

He added a dose of humor to his speculation, acknowledging the unpredictability of Cretton’s vision. “I think that could be a main thing. But also, he’s been doing this for a long time. I have no idea what he’s doing now. He could’ve completely changed it all and probably made Orochimaru the main character. I don’t know. He could’ve done something crazy,” he laughed.

While Batalon was careful to note that he cannot confirm the film’s final shape, his comments align with reports that the production is already assembling a cast. Certain actors are reportedly in talks to portray members of Team 7, which would lend credibility to the idea that the movie will anchor itself in the series’ early days.

Casting in Full Swing

The search for the film’s ensemble continues across several fronts. In August, actor Charles Melton was reported to be in final negotiations to play Kakashi, a move that saw him step away from the role of X-Men’s Beast in Marvel Studios’ upcoming reboot film.

Meanwhile, the production has also issued an open casting call this summer, reportedly seeking young male actors between the ages of 16 and 20 who are “athletic, energetic, expressive” and who speak fluent English. The criteria suggest a focus on the younger generation of characters, reinforcing the likelihood that the film will emphasize the formative years of its protagonists.

The enthusiasm surrounding the project extends well beyond the cast. Masashi Kishimoto, the mangaka who created Naruto, has publicly expressed his excitement about the adaptation. Writing a statement on the series’ official website, the creator conveyed his disbelief at seeing his manga become a major Hollywood film.

“Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another. My work, Naruto, is truly, truly becoming a Hollywood movie! And an even greater miracle is that the film will be directed by the one and only Destin Daniel Cretton. I still cannot believe it!”

Masashi Kishimoto

Looking Ahead

As the live-action Naruto adaptation moves closer to production, the emphasis on Team 7’s origin story appears to be shaping the film’s narrative foundation. Batalon’s insights, combined with the reported casting developments and Kishimoto’s blessing, point toward a movie that will likely explore the characters’ early journeys before launching into the broader saga that made the franchise a global phenomenon.

While an official release date has yet to be confirmed, the momentum behind the project — from the director’s established reputation to the creator’s vocal support — suggests that fans can expect meaningful progress in the coming months. For now, the question remains whether Cretton will honor Batalon’s prediction or, as the actor joked, pull off something entirely unexpected.

Are you excited for Destin Daniel Cretton’s live-action Naruto movie? Let us know in the comments below.

Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.