Summary
Narutois a top-rated and iconic anime series. It is well-known for several of its traits. From the series characters toeveryNarutohand signin the show, these will all now be put into an upcoming live-action movie based on the series.The only information released regarding the film is that the director is Destin Daniel Creighton. Thus, nobody has been confirmed to be a part of the cast. However, this hasnot stopped anime viewers from starting to fan-cast actors they would love to see in the movie.
Fan-casting does not necessarily guarantee that these actors will be in the movie. It will, though, show the filmmakers the type of actors their intended audience wants. If these filmmakers take into account which actors audiences want, then they will be guaranteed a good turnout for the movie’s release.As for theNarutolive-action movie in development, this could very much happen.One of the fan castings that could lead to the movie’s success is the casting of Hiroyuki Sanada.

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Hiroyuki Sanada As Naruto’s Third Hokage Would Be Perfect Casting
Sanada Heavily Resembles This Beloved Character
The Third Hokage ofNarutois Hiruzen Sarutobi, one of the series' leading characters. He is a showstopping ninja and the village’s ruler in the show. His character has a wise, calming, and powerful essence to him. These traits cause him to have a significant role in the anime and thuswill play an essential role in the live-action movie. That is if the film stays true to the source. Hiruzen Sarutobi and his influence are not some features thatNaruto’s live-action movie should not adapt.
Shingen Yashida
The Wolverine
Sanada could easily portray a character likeNaruto’s Hiruzen Sarutobi.He has a persona that allows him to have a powerful presence on screenin past projects, which is exactly what is needed for portraying the live-action version of the Third Hokage. Not to mention, an actor who has experience acting in combat scenes is required for adaptingNarutoscenes, likeNaruto beating the Third Hokage. Sanada’s past roles prove that he could perform in these combat scenes.
Hiroyuki Sanada’s Shogun Role Proves He Would Be Great As Hiruzen Sarutobi
These Roles Are Extremely Similar
This role has many similarities to the Third Hokage fromNaruto. After all, they are both powerful leaders who also happen to be warriors.
Shogunpremiered earlier this year on FX. It has instantly become one of thebest TV shows of 2024. Sanada portrays Yoshii Toranaga, the omnipotent and powerful leader of the Kanto region, who is trying to defeat his enemies despite being heavily outnumbered by them. This role has many similarities to the Third Hokage fromNaruto. After all, they are both powerful leaders who also happen to be warriors. Not to mention howboth are wise and have this calming essence that explains why they are such good leaders.

Given that Sanada already portrays a character that is deeply similar toNaruto’s Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would easily be the perfect actor for the beloved anime character. He may want to avoid risking typecasting. Since these characters have already established themselves as iconic fictional warriors, they would not promote typecasting.Sanada would displaythe wide range of different warriors he could portray. This avoidance can especially happen, given how complex the original anime is. After all,Narutochanged anime foreverbecause of its fantastic complexity.
The Naruto Movie Must Get Its Cast Right If It Wants To Live Up To The Anime
The Casting Could Make Or Break This Upcoming Film
Anime series likeNarutohave developed such large followings that viewers are heavily invested in the production and casting of live-action films. An example of this already happening isOne Piece. It had an excellent cast, and thus, the show’s success was greater than expected. Other aspects of the show also influenced this success, including having the plot stay accurate to the anime series while adding new and important details.If there was not a good cast, though, the show could have kissed its success goodbye. The plot is nothing if there are no excellent actors to carry it out.
NarutoandOne Pieceare not the only anime series to receive live-action adaptations.Death Notealso had a live-action movie adaptation that premiered on Netflix in 2017. However, the casting was very controversial, as it appeared inaccurate to the original anime series.

The success ofOne Pieceand the means to get there are exactly the roads the live-actionNarutomust take. If anything, to guarantee success, the movie must have at leastone major advantage overOne Piece. Without staying true to the original series and having a cast that perfectly captures the essence of all the characters,the movie will risk being underwhelming and potentially even disrespectful to the anime. The success will then be non-existent. Therefore, they must cast someone like Sanada as the Third Hokage.
TheNarutolive-action movie will undoubtedly have quite the reaction when it announces its cast. If the filmmakers follow through with the fan-casting of Sanada as Hiruzen Sarutobi, the film’s success could easily be in the cards. Plus, this casting will help the live-actionto do the anime justicewith his similar essence to the character. However, audiences will have to wait and see who is cast inNarutoto know what the film’s success will look like.

Naruto
Cast
Naruto is an action-adventure anime series based on the manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. The titular Naruto Uzumaki is a fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit sealed inside him, which once wreaked havoc on his village. Shunned by his community yet determined to earn their respect, Naruto dreams of becoming the greatest ninja, the Hokage. This series follows his journey through the Ninja Academy as he continues to train and grow, hoping to prove himself to his peers- and himself.