Naruto Live-Action Movie: Charles Melton to Play Kakashi
Filming is scheduled to begin in early 2027
The "Naruto" live-action film from "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" director Destin Daniel Cretton has apparently found its first star! According to The Hollywood Reporter, Charles Melton – known for his roles in "Riverdale" and "Warfare", among others – is in talks to play the role of Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi takes on the task of training Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. As Team 7, they embark on numerous missions together and repeatedly find themselves in dangerous situations. With his calm and often somewhat aloof demeanor, he initially comes across as a rather unusual mentor. At the same time, he has vast combat experience and is one of the strongest shinobi in his village. He possesses the so-called "Sharingan", which allows him to analyze and mimic his opponents' movements and techniques.
The casting process for the three main characters is also in full swing. There is no official release date yet for the "Naruto" live-action film. According to initial reports, however, filming is set to begin in early 2027.
Charles Melton: An Overview of His Most Famous Roles
In recent years, Charles Melton has evolved from a well-known TV star into one of the most interesting actors of his generation. He made his big breakthrough with the teen series "Riverdale", but by the time "May December" came along, he had proven that he could also master challenging and complex roles. Melton can now be seen in both major Hollywood films and high-profile TV series.
Reggie Mantle in Riverdale
For many viewers, Charles Melton is still inextricably linked to "Riverdale". Starting in the second season, he took on the role of Reggie Mantle, becoming part of the central ensemble of the hit teen series. Reggie is initially known primarily as a confident football player, but evolves into a much more complex character over the course of the series. In the process, Melton was increasingly able to showcase his dramatic skills. "Riverdale" was ultimately the project that brought him to the attention of an international audience. Melton himself later even described the series as a kind of acting school for his future career.
Daniel Bae in The Sun Is Also a Star
In 2019, Melton took on the lead role in the romantic teen dramedy "The Sun Is Also a Star". In it, he plays Daniel Bae, a teenager who meets Natasha Kingsley in the span of a single day and falls in love with her. The role showcased a different side of the actor. While Reggie in "Riverdale" often came across as a confident and athletic type, Melton was able to portray a character who was significantly more emotional and vulnerable here.
Joe Yoo in May December
Arguably the most pivotal step in Melton's career came with Todd Haynes' "May December". Alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, he played Joe Yoo, a man whose unusual romantic history is at the heart of the film.
Melton portrays Joe with deliberate restraint. Behind his friendly and at times naive demeanor lies a character struggling with his past and the consequences of an extraordinary relationship. The performance was celebrated by critics and earned Melton, among other accolades, a Golden Globe nomination. This made it definitively clear that he no longer wanted to be perceived merely as a former teen star.
Armando Aretas in Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Melton took a completely different direction with "Bad Boys: Ride or Die". In the action film starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, he plays Armando Aretas. The role gave him the opportunity to prove himself in a major Hollywood action film. At the same time, Armando is closely tied to the story of the two main characters and brings a personal dimension to the plot.
Warfare and Beef Season 2
In 2025, he took another important step with "Warfare". Directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, this war film tells the story of a group of American soldiers and focuses on their experiences during a mission in Iraq.
Melton is part of the film's ensemble cast and plays Jake "Jake" Randleman. The focus is less on a single hero and more on the soldiers' shared experience. "Warfare" is, accordingly, a significantly harsher and more realistic experience than many of his earlier projects. The film also demonstrates that Melton is increasingly working with renowned directors. Following his collaboration with Todd Haynes, he has now also worked with Alex Garland. Most recently, he appeared in the second season of the acclaimed Netflix series "Beef".
From TV Star to Sought-After Character Actor
Charles Melton's career thus reflects a remarkable evolution. He became a teen star with "Riverdale", and "May December" subsequently changed how he is perceived as an actor. "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" and "Warfare" introduced him to big-budget action and genre films, while "Beef" once again highlights his dramatic side. It's precisely this mix of major studio films and challenging TV projects that has made Melton an actor to keep an eye on.
