A producer of the live-action Naruto movie reveals the potential of a possible Naruto cinematic universe in a new comment made at CinemaCon.
Via ComicBook, Naruto live-action movie producer Adam Fogelson briefly teased the possibility of an entire cinematic universe based around the character, with the producer revealing there were "endless possibilities for future chapters." He made the comments during Lionsgate's presentation at CinemaCon.
Crunchyroll Makes a Case for the Potential of Anime Internationally and in Theaters
As film executives recognized anime's transcendent potential at CinemaCon, one of the major names making the case for the medium was Crunchyroll. "Anime fans are an incredibly diverse audience. They don't age out. Their fandom endures. They are everywhere around you. Their influence is only going to get better. Anime is not coming. Anime is already here!" the streamer said. To sell the point, it showed the first 10 minutes of the upcoming Spy x Family Code: White film and highlighted that the total anime market is projected to hit $37 billion. A recent report adds that half of the anime market is expected to come from overseas.
Nevertheless, comments from Kung Fu Panda 4's co-director, seen above, give insight into how, while execs see anime's potential, many are unwilling to take the plunge. This doesn't seem to be the case at Sony, which hopes that the upcoming One Punch Man live-action film gives rise to an entire franchise. The One Punch Man live-action recently revealed its new writers, with production still underway.
Naruto Creator Masashi Kishimoto Is Optimistic About the Live-Action Film
Given the mixed success of live-action adaptations, anime fans remain understandably nervous over the Naruto film. Nevertheless, original creator Masashi Kishimoto was bullish in his official statement, calling director Justin Lin an "open-minded director who was willing to embrace my input" and praised Lin's forte for creating dramas about people. This was something that Naruto anime director Hayato Date revealed was also his intention, aiming for a period drama rather than a typical action series.
Crunchyroll streams the Naruto anime, animated by Studio Pierrot. It's officially described: "The Village Hidden in the Leaves is home to the stealthiest ninja. But twelve years earlier, a fearsome Nine-tailed Fox terrorized the village before it was subdued and its spirit sealed within the body of a baby boy."
Source: ComicBook
