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Lloyd Lee Choi’s feature adaptation “Lucky Lu” will begin filming in New York City later this year.

Based on Choi’s live-action short, “Same Old,” “Lucky Lu” tells the story of a Chinese delivery driver in New York City who discovers his e-bike has been stolen. With his family en route after many years apart, Lu must contend with a community that has turned its back on him while he tries to replace the only thing promising to keep his family afloat.

Taiwanese actor Chang Chen (“Dune”) has been cast to play the titular character. Nina Yang Bongiovi, Destin Daniel Cretton, Ron Najor, Jeyun Munford, Asher Goldstein and Tony Yang are on board as producers.

Speaking at Gold House’s A Filmmaker’s Creative & Financing Journey during Sundance Film Festival Asia, Bongiovi discussed the financial journey behind “Lucky Lu.” She said, “Navigating film financing is always an emotional roller coaster.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Tasha Huo, the co-writer for the upcoming Naruto live-action film expressed her enthusiasm for the project’s direction under the writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton.

Huo praised Destin’s approach to adapting the manga, noting his deep understanding of the source material.

According to Huo, the director’s understanding of Naruto goes beyond the typical blockbuster treatment, focusing on the emotional depth of the characters and their relationships rather than solely the epic scale of the series’ world.

“I think that’s such a cool choice because he’s going to be able to capture how nuanced and special Naruto is without getting distracted by the big world that it is, which I think could easily be done by someone who’s not a fan or someone who’s coming in for a cash payday. This is definitely a movie that comes at it from...

Destin Daniel Cretton, the filmmaker who co-wrote and directed the Marvel Studios movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and who executive produced American Born Chinese for Disney+, has launched Hisako, a new multimedia production company.

Cretton will run the banner with Jeyun Munford, formerly an executive at Universal and Lionsgate, who will act as the company’s president, running both film and television arms.

With a focus on empowering filmmakers and creatives, one of Hisako’s mission statements is a commitment to transforming the film and television landscape by highlighting marginalized stories and pushing them into the mainstream. The company is founded on the underlying conviction that storytelling has the power to unite audiences worldwide through shared emotions and experiences.

One of the first projects out of the gate for Hisako will be the big-screen live-action take on Naruto, one of the most popular mangas of all time.

Naruto fans have been eagerly waiting for the live-action adaptation of the popular anime and manga series which was announced in 2015 by Lionsgate. According to recent reports, the live-action Naruto film is still in the early stages of pre-production, and it will most likely take a couple of years before it goes into production.

Naruto: Shippuden

Furthermore, no information about the cast, release date, or plot of the series has currently been revealed as of yet. However, new updates to the series were recently released, which piqued the interest of Naruto fans. According to the news, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ director Destin Daniel Cretton will now be directing and writing the live-action anime adaptation of Naruto.

Cretton will also work as a producer on the project, alongside Jeyun Munford, Jeremy Latcham, Avi Arad, and Emmy Yu. Cretton is a great choice for the writing and direction of the live-action movie,...

The wave of Live-Action adaptations of popular anime is now awaiting the release of the highly anticipated Naruto live-action movie after the success of One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action adaptations. The movie is being developed by Lionsgate and has been in the talks for a long time.

Kakashi Hatake – Naruto

While the actors who would play the role of major characters from the series like Naruto and Sasuke have not yet been unveiled, fans have made some speculations regarding the perfect choice for the role of such characters. One such character that fans are most excited to see get cast is Kakashi Hatake, the sensei of the infamous team 7.

Although there are many strong contenders for the role of Kakashi, there is one South Korean Actor who fits perfectly for the portrayal of the super-strong teacher of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. The plus point is that he...

Billie Eilish may have joined the entertainment industry as a singer, but that isn’t the only thing that has made her as famous as she is. Besides her beyond-brilliant vocal skills, the 22-year-old legendary singer cum songwriter’s “unapologetically me” attitude made her an overnight internet sensation, especially among her Gen Z fans.

Billie Eilish in the music video for When the Party’s Over

In fact, to say that Eilish somehow bags the spotlight every now and then for one reason or another wouldn’t be an understatement, considering how she has once again won fans’ hearts. Though this time, it isn’t for her exceptional voice, but rather, for the way she acts that has made her the top contender to play Orochimaru in the upcoming Naruto live-action adaptation!

Suggested“This is a bad idea”: Fans are Terrified New Naruto Live Action Movie Will be a White-Washed...

Following the huge success of One Piece‘s live-action adaptation by Netflix, it is understandable that fans have the expectation that the upcoming Naruto live-action would also be treated in the same way. However, the idea of adapting a seven-hundred-chapter series into a single movie has been met with some backlash from hardcore Naruto fans.

Naruto and Hinata

There is the history that implies the not-so-well track record of live-action adaptations, which is why fans are worried about the upcoming Naruto live-action. But a live-action could also be a successful one if done perfectly by the makers. And as per reports, the live-action Naruto movie, which is in the works at Lionsgate will be written and directed by Shang-Chi‘s Destin Daniel Cretton.

Suggested“Now he’s going to ruin the Naruto movie”: Madame Web’s Abysmal Failure Was The Last Straw For Avi Arad as Fans Fear Spider-Man...

Filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, who co-wrote and directed ‘Shang-Chi and the ‘Legend of the Ten Rings’, has been roped in to pen and helm a live-action adaptation of ‘Naruto’. ‘Naruto’ is a popular Japanese manga series, which talks about Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who dreams of becoming the leader of his village but also happens to have the spirit of a nine-tailed demon fox inside him.

Cretton will also produce alongside Jeyun Munford through his company, Hisako.

The story was serialised in Japan’s popular Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, tracking the character’s coming-of-age, friendships, and many super-powered ninja battles, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

‘Naruto’ became an instant rage as over 250 million copies of the collected volumes were sold in more than 60 countries and territories.

The series is written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto.

An animated series too was launched and ran for years on Cartoon Network, Disney Xd,...

Destin Daniel Cretton is leaving the world of superheroes and comic books behind for a land of ninjas and manga. The “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” director will write a live-action adaptation of “Naruto,” one of the most popular manga series of all time, IndieWire has confirmed.

Created by mangaka Masashi Kishimoto, “Naruto” is set in an unnamed world where ninjas act as the primary warriors and political forces. In the Hidden Leaf Village, main character Naruto Uzumaki is a loudmouthed, hyperactive, and boisterous orphan who dreams of becoming the greatest ninja, or the Hokage. His attempts to grow are complicated by the fact that he unknowingly serves as the host of the Nine-Tailed Fox, a dangerous beast that grants him enormous power but makes him a target for rival ninja clans. The series follows Naruto as he joins a training squad consisting of friends Sasuke and...

After being in limbo for a long time, the live-action adaptation of Naruto has been officially confirmed to be in production.

Lionsgate, the studio behind the project, has roped in Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on the Marvel film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” to direct as well as pen the upcoming Naruto live-action film.

Joining Cretton in bringing Naruto to life are producers Jeyun Munford, Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu.

Masashi Kishimoto, the mangaka of Naruto, expressed his enthusiasm on Destin’s involvement in the film, stating, “When I heard of Destin’s attachment, it happened to be right after watching a blockbuster action film of his, and I thought he would be the perfect director for Naruto. After enjoying his other films and understanding that his forte is in creating solid dramas about people, I became convinced that there is no other director for Naturo.

Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) has been tapped to write and direct Lionsgate’s forthcoming live-action adaptation of the manga classic Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto.

Specifics as to Cretton’s take on the material are under wraps.

One of the world’s most popular IP, Naruto has sold over 250 million copies in more than 60 countries and territories. The manga follows the journey of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with dreams of becoming leader of his village. He faces an uphill battle in this mission, given the fact that the Nine-Tailed Fox spirit sealed within him at birth once brought destruction upon the place. Previously, the source material has spawned an anime adaptation, as well as video games, numerous anime films, sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and more.

Producers on the Naruto film include Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu for Arad Productions,...

Masashi Kishimoto's "Naruto" is one of the most popular manga of all time, with 250 million books sold worldwide. Its anime adaptation is no less famous and, when airing on Cartoon Network in the 2000s, helped normalize the medium among American audiences. And yet, it's the only one of the "Big Three" series published in the magazine Weekly Shonen Jump — alongside "One Piece" and "Bleach" — that hasn't made the transition to live-action. Until now.

Lionsgate is officially moving forward with a live-action "Naruto" film. The project had previously been reported on, but it currently has a writer/director: Destin Daniel Cretton, director of the Marvel Studios picture "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."

In a Lionsgate press release, Cretton said of the project: "It was a true honor to meet Kishimoto-san in Tokyo and hear his expansive vision for his creation. We are very excited to collaborate and...

A live-action Naruto film has been in the works at Lionsgate for the better part of a decade, and now the studio announced that the adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's hit Shonen Jump manga has a new writer and director. Destin Daniel Cretton—director of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings —is on board to handle both duties for the production. Kishimoto had the following to say about the announcement, via Variety : “When I heard of Destin’s attachment, it happened to be right after watching a blockbuster action film of his, and I thought he would be the perfect director for ‘Naruto.’ After enjoying his other films and understanding that his forte is in creating solid dramas about people, I became convinced that there is no other director for ‘Naruto.' “In actually meeting Destin, I also found him to be an open-minded director who...

Lionsgate has closed a deal with “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” director Destin Daniel Cretton to write and direct a live-action film adaptation of the manga classic “Naruto.” The announcement was made today by Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

The movie will be based on the manga created by Masashi Kishimoto. “Naruto” has printed over 250 million copies in more than 60 countries and territories. It follows adolescent ninja Naruto Uzumaki, who dreams of becoming his community’s protector and leader known as the village ninja.

“It was a true honor to meet Kishimoto-san in Tokyo and hear his expansive vision for his creation,” said Cretton. “We are very excited to collaborate and bring ‘Naruto’ to the big screen.”

Masashi Kishimoto said, “When I heard of Destin’s attachment, it happened to be right after watching a blockbuster action film of his, and I thought he...

Naruto, one of the most popular mangas of all time, is headed to the big screen.

Destin Daniel Cretton, who co-wrote and directed the Marvel Studios movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has been tapped to pen and helm a live-action adaptation of the title for Lionsgate.

Cretton will also produce alongside Jeyun Munford through his company, Hisako. The duo join Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu of Arad Productions, who are behind the studio’s upcoming video game adaptation Borderlands, and Jeremy Latcham (Dungeons & Dragons).

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was a coming-of-age story focused on a young and enthusiastic ninja named Naruto Uzumaki who wants to grow up to be the leader of his ninja village but also happens to have the spirit of a nine-tailed demon fox inside him. The story was serialized in Japan’s popular Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, tracking the character’s coming-of-age,...

Universal Pictures has tapped Meera Menon (Ms. Marvel) to direct its film adaptation of the fantasy A Deadly Education — the first title in the bestselling Scholomance Trilogy by Naomi Novik.

Published by Del Rey in September of 2020, A Deadly Education introduces readers to Galadriel “El” Higgins, a sorceress studying at the school of black magic known as the Scholomance, who looks to survive at the storied institution through graduation, while getting a grip on her abilities.

Emily Carmichael (Jurassic World Dominion) and Shantha Susman are adapting the screenplay. Carly Kleinbart brought the project in to Universal and is overseeing development on behalf of Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman, who will produce. Senior Vice President of Production Jeyun Munford and Director of Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project on behalf of the studio.

Novik and her Scholomance Trilogy have been on...

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A Deadly Education, the upcoming fantasy adaptation from Universal, has found its director. Meera Menon, the director who has helmed episodes of Ms. Marvel, For All Mankind and The Walking Dead, is stepping behind the camera for the project.

A Deadly Education is the first book in author Naomi Novik’s Scholomance trilogy, which Universal optioned in 2020 ahead of its publication. Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman will produce, with Jurassic World Dominion screenwriter Emily Carmichael penning the script with up-and-coming writer Shantha Susman.

A Deadly Education centers on El Higgins, a girl with unmatched power who enters a school for the magically gifted. Once you enter the school, there are only two ways out: graduation or death. The New York Times best-selling series also includes The Last Graduate, which won the Lodestar Hugo Award, and The Golden Enclaves, which was released in September.

Isla Fisher (Wolf Like Me) has signed on to star alongside Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Will Forte and Randall Park in Universal’s animated comedy Strays, Deadline can confirm.

The film from Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar director Josh Greenbaum combines CGI and live-action elements to follow an abandoned dog (Ferrell) who teams up with other strays, including one portrayed by Foxx, to get revenge on his former owner (Forte). Details with regard to the character Fisher is playing have not been disclosed.

American Vandal‘s Dan Perrault penned the script. Greenbaum is producing alongside Picturestart’s Erik Feig, Louis Leterrier, Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Lord Miller President of Film, Aditya Sood, with Jessica Switch and Lord Miller’s Nikki Baida exec producing, and Picturestart’s Julia Hammer serving as co-producer. SVP of Production Development Jeyun Munford and Director of Development Tony Ducret are overseeing the project for the studio.

Prentice Penny (Insecure, Uncorked) has signed on to direct an adaptation of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel New Kid for Universal Pictures, tapping Eli Wilson Pelton to adapt the script. His production company A Penny For Your Thoughts Entertainment has also come aboard to develop and produce the film alongside The SpringHill Company.

New Kid tells the story of Jordan Banks, who experiences culture shock as one of the few kids of color when his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school, struggling both to start over and to fit in. The graphic novel from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft was published by HarperCollins in 2019 and subsequently became the first to win the coveted Newbery Medal, as well as the Coretta Scott King Award.

Universal Pictures acquired the rights to New Kid in 2020 as part of its four-year, first-look deal with The SpringHill Company, which optioned...

Prentice Penny, who served as showrunner on HBO’s popular series “Insecure,” is stepping behind the camera to direct a feature film for Universal Pictures.

Penny has been hired to adapt “New Kid,” a movie version of Jerry Craft’s bestselling graphic novel. The children’s story follows a Black pre-teen named Jordan Banks, who experiences culture shock when his parents enroll him at an elite private school.

LeBron James will produce “New Kid” through his production house The SpringHill Company, along with SpringHill executive Maverick Carter. Jamal Henderson, Spencer Beighley and “New Kid” author Craft will be executive producers. In addition to directing, Penny will also executive produce through his shingle A Penny for Your Thoughts Entertainment with president and partner Chris Pollack.

Eli Wilson Pelton, whose credits include “Insecure” and “Brigerton,” will write the screenplay. After they collaborated on “Insecure,” where Wilson Pelton worked as writer and executive story editor for two seasons,...

Prentice Penny will direct Universal Pictures’ “New Kid,” based on the graphic novel of the same name. Penny joins the project with his production banner A Penny For Your Thoughts Entertainment, which will develop and produce alongside The SpringHill Company.

Eli Wilson Pelton will adapt the graphic novel and write the script.

Based on the New York Times bestseller, “New Kid” tells the story of Jordan Banks, who experiences culture shock as one of the few kids of color when his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school.

From author-illustrator Jerry Craft and published by HarperCollins, “New Kid” is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real. “New Kid” became the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal, as well as the Coretta Scott King Award.

Universal Pictures acquired the rights to...

Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx and Will Forte will star in Strays, an animated comedy that Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar director Josh Greenbaum is helming for Universal, Deadline has confirmed.

The film combining CGI and live-action elements follows an abandoned dog (Ferrell) who teams up with other strays, including one portrayed by Foxx, to get revenge on his former owner (Forte).

American Vandal‘s Dan Perrault scripted the film, which is now in post-production. Greenbaum is producing alongside Picturestart’s Erik Feig, Louis Leterrier, Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Lord Miller President of Film, Aditya Sood, with Jessica Switch and Lord Miller’s Nikki Baida exec producing, and Picturestart’s Julia Hammer serving as co-producer.

SVP of Production Development Jeyun Munford and Director of Development Tony Ducret are overseeing the project for the studio.

Universal Pictures has preemptively nabbed a live action project from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, to be produced with Erik Feig’s Picturestart.

Titled “Strays,” the film is an adult comedy and original pitch from writer Dan Perrault (“American Vandal”), about an abandoned dog who teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner.

The project will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, who just made his narrative directorial debut with Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo’s “Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar.” Greenbaum is an Emmy winner who hails from the unscripted space.

Picturestart packaged and developed Perrault’s script for Greenbaum, Lord and Miller and their label’s film president Aditya Sood, and producer Louis Leterrier who will join via his Rabbit Hole Productions banner. Feig will produce for Picturestart.

The movie falls under Lord and Miller’s first-look deal with the Donna Langley-led Universal,...

Exclusive: Universal has picked up an untitled family adventure-comedy spec script from screenwriting duo Alex Ankeles and Morgan Jurgenson. Davis Entertainment and 1stAve Machine are producing, with John Davis and John Fox producing alongside Ross Siegel of Altogether Entertainment. Davis’ SVP Jeremy Stein will executive produce, as will 1stAveMachine’s Serge Patzak.

Based on an original idea by Siegel, the script’s logline is under wraps but is being described as a four-quadrant family adventure-comedy and a love letter to pop culture and fandom. Jeyun Munford and Christine Sun will oversee the project for Universal.

Jurgenson is most well-known for writing and producing cult horror comedy Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. Since joining up with Ankeles, the team has sold numerous specs and pitches, and worked with various types of IP, most recently adapting the graphic novel Zita the Spacegirl for Fox and penning a feature based on the Bakugan...

Florence Pugh is producing and starring in the murder mystery “The Maid” for Universal Pictures, based on Nita Prose’s debut novel of the same name.

Universal announced Wednesday it had acquired the rights to the “The Maid,” set for publication in 2022 via Penguin Random House in the U.S. and Canada, and HarperFiction in the U.K.

The studio said the story contains elements of Gail Honeyman’s “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” with an Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery. It centers on Molly the maid, who leaves every room perfect and pristine, while getting to know each guest’s dirty secrets, and explores Molly’s descent into the murderous underbelly of her gilded workplace.

Joining Pugh as producers are Josh McLaughlin and Chris Goldberg, producing through their companies Wink Pictures and Winterlight Pictures, respectively. Prose will also serve as executive producer. The deal was brokered by ICM Partners...

Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Universal has acquired rights to Nita Prose’s not-yet-released debut novel The Maid. Oscar nominee Florence Pugh is set to play the title character in the film, which Josh McLaughlin and Chris Goldberg are producing through their companies Wink Pictures and Winterlight Pictures, respectively. Pugh will produce as well. Prose will also serve as executive producer.

The deal was brokered by ICM Partners on behalf of the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV and Film Agency.

Set for publication in 2022 via Penguin Random House in the U.S. and Canada and HarperFiction in the UK, the novel blends the charm of Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine with an Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery. It is set at the Regency Grand Hotel, where Molly the maid leaves every room perfect and pristine, while getting to know each guest’s dirty secrets. A Clue-like, locked-room whodunnit,...

Exclusive: Catalina Aguilar-Mastretta will direct Universal Pictures’ The Giver of Stars, based on the New York Times bestselling novel from Me Before You author Jojo Moyes.

The novel, which was published by Penguin Random House in October 2019, is an epic tale from bestselling author Moyes, whose books have sold 40 million copies worldwide. Set in Depression-era Kentucky and rooted in true events, it tells the story of a group of extraordinary young women who defy the odds to bring knowledge – and power – to a remote mountain community.

Alison Owen and Debra Hayward will produce for their Monumental Pictures. Ol Parker will executive produce alongside Moyes.

Owen and Moyes previously collaborated on the film adaptation of Moyes’ bestselling novel Me Before You. After the success of that adaptation, Universal aggressively pursued the rights to The Giver of Stars once it was announced. It has become a high priority at the studio.

Universal...

Universal has won the film rights for Naomi Novik’s Ya novel Scholomance Random House series, putting the first novel A Deadly Education into development with Mandeville Films’ Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman.

The first book takes us into a dangerous school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death. There are no teachers, no holidays, friendships are purely strategic, and the odds of survival are never equal. Once you’re inside, there are only two ways out: you graduate or you die. El Higgins is uniquely prepared for the school’s many dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out untold millions – never mind easily destroy the countless monsters that prowl the school. Except, she might accidentally kill all the other students, too.

Novik is the author of several New York Times bestselling fantasy novels and...

Universal has picked up the film rights to New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff’s upcoming Ya vampire novel Crave.

Crave, billed as a paranormal fantasy with a feminist perspective, follows a human girl who finds herself in the midst of a conflict between warring factions when she falls for a vampire prince, Jaxon Vega. He’s a vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to her, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in her — which could spell death for both of them. The young girl learns that Jaxon has walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake him, a sleeping monster, and she could very well be the bait. The book is available for sale tomorrow, April 7 from Entangled Publishing, distributed by Macmillan in New York.

Exclusive: Universal Pictures has hatched Monster Mash, an original musical film for Matt Stawski to direct, with Will Widger writing the script. Temple Hill Entertainment’s Marty Bowen is producing.

The idea is being kept close to the vest, but it was hatched by Stawski to make his feature directing debut. He is a Grammy nominated music video director who directed Side Effects for Awesomeness TV. Widger’s work includes Damned for Legendary and, Magic The Gathering and Lumberjanes, both for Fox.

John Fischer is spearheading for Temple Hill and he will be exec producer with Stawski. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Jeyun Munford and Creative Executive Tony Ducret will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.

Stawski is represented by Gersh, Writ Large and Weintraub Tobin; Widger by Kaplan/Perrone and Morris Yorn Barnes.