The long dreaded Naruto live-action movie helmed by an American studio is officially in the works and it is now getting early negative buzz from the fans of the popular manga/anime.
Last year, Variety reported that Michael Gracey, a former visual effects specialist who has just recently moved into directing, has been tapped by Lionsgate to direct the ambitious project. Many are casting doubts that a relatively new director may not be able to deliver a satisfying Naruto live-action film.
As one of the best-selling manga and one of the biggest anime hits in the world, Naruto is a global treasure no fan would like to get bastardized.
Back in 2009, “Dragonball Z”, the beloved Manga/Anime title that failed to deliver as a Hollywood film, ending up being one of the most disappointing films ever made with its terrible casting and a story that largely deviated from the source material. A year later, “The Last Airbender”, a live-action version of the American animated hit “Avatar”, would replicate the failure.
Kishimoto Sensei involved with the production and is really excited. Pre-production art revealed.
— Shonen Jump (@shonenjump) December 17, 2016
While it is reassuring to note that the man who created the beloved franchise, Masashi Kishimoto, has been signed up to help out with the production, netizens are still worried that the material will be ruined by Hollywood.
Kishimoto’s involvement with the Naruto live-action film was announced last week during this year’s Jump Festa expo.
Reactions on Twitter and Reddit range from expressions of utter disgust to unabashed mockery of the project:
okay but who do y’all think they’re gonna cast as naruto for the live action movie…is it gonna be jennifer lawrence or scarlett johansson?
— big m(eme)atthew (@blockbmp3) December 17, 2016
I hope for the live action naruto movie they get tilda swinton to play everyone
— SungWon Cho (ProZD) (@prozdkp) December 17, 2016
Live action Hollywood Naruto movie in the works. This will probably be the cast. pic.twitter.com/Auj1mC70Qq
— Geeks Of Color (@GeeksOfColor) December 17, 2016
can’t wait for the live action naruto movie to cast 80 white people and 1 asian girl as i dunno tenten BUT with a streak of blue in her hair
— SungWon Cho (ProZD) (@prozdkp) December 17, 2016
I wanna be in the Naruto live action movie
I can be the nigga that dies
— Derrière Connoisseur (@BardockObama) December 18, 2016
if THE ROCK isn’t in the naruto live action movie then i’m gonna boycott pic.twitter.com/hAK3crMK4t
— hades’ husband™ (@itachicken) December 18, 2016
new hollywood Naruto movie be like pic.twitter.com/mzKSclwrk1
— Kat Tsai (@Chuwenjie) December 19, 2016
is hollywood live action naruto going to be renamed nathan
— ✨doraemon™✨ (@chootalks) December 19, 2016
Hollywood ruined DBZ. They better not ruin Naruto.
— carmelo (@zombiez000) December 17, 2016
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