While the series ended in 2017, Naruto fans are clamoring for new content. While Boruto: Naruto Next Generation scratches that itch for some, many fans want to return to the early days of Naruto, Sasuke, and all the shinobi they have come to care for.
One potential way to do this is a live-action movie. Assumedly produced by a streaming site, such as Netflix, who have produced similar films in the past, a live-action Naruto movie is nothing without a cast. This list looks at the ten actors who should play important roles in a live-action Naruto film and why they were chosen.
10 Naruto- Jacob Hopkins
Leading this group of young shinobi is the knucklehead ninja and Nine-Tails Jinchuriki himself Naruto being played by Jacob Hopkins. Though he is young, Hopkins is a talented actor and voice actor, having lent his talents as Gumball in The Amazing World of Gumball and most recently as a recurring guest on The Goldbergs.
Naruto is known for being loud and obnoxious, yet endearing, which are traits that Hopkins has proven to be good at portraying. Hopkins is a known fan of anime, including being a fan of My Hero Academia, so he likely knows Naruto well enough to play the titular character.
9 Sasuke-Nolan Gross
The bad boy of the series, Sasuke is the last surviving member of the Uchiha clan, if you exclude the several alive members found throughout the series and the direct rival to Naruto. He has a better than thou attitude mixed with the skills to back that attitude up, including his Sharingan.
Like Jacob Hopkins, Nolan Gross has been acting since childhood, though he has also moved into the modeling and music fields as well. His acting credits have had him playing the younger versions of Colin Hanks, Logan Lerman, and Martin Sheen. He has just the right attitude for the role of Sasuke and the acting chops to back it up.
8 Sakura- Camren Bicondova
Camren Bicondova is most well-known for her role as Selena Kyle in FOX’s Gotham. In that role, she proved herself as a competent actress and skilled enough to learn combat choreography, which helps when playing a shinobi. After taking on such a large role as Catwoman, she is perfectly capable of taking on the role of Sakura.
Most stories see Sakura playing second fiddle to Naruto and Sasuke, so having a well-established actress take over the role of the shy, yet powerful kunoichi would be beneficial. Her dancing skills would also help aid in the fluid movements that are needed for the fight scenes.
7 Shikamaru- Ryan Potter
Shikamaru is one of the most endearing shinobi of the Naruto world, being a laid-back guy who doesn’t want to have to worry about anything. Even as one of the smartest tacticians, his laziness gets in the way of his natural abilities unless he can use them to his advantage.
A great martial artist and well-known actor, Ryan Potter has been tearing up the internet with his recent roles as Gar in Titans and as the voice of Hiro in Big Hero 6. Potter is slightly older than the rest of the cast, but that works well toward the character. He can play serious and comedic well, so Shikamaru would be an easy role.
6 Rock Lee- Jack Dylan Grazer
Jack Dylan Grazer erupted onto the scene with his role as Eddie in 2017’s IT and as Freddy Freeman in 2019’s Shazam. He doesn’t currently have the martial arts or fight choreography that the rest of this cast does, but he has the energy and determination that are required to play the role of Rock Lee.
Rock Lee is a significant character in the Naruto universe because he is an outcast ninja who cannot use ninjutsu or genjutsu, instead relying solely on taijutsu strategies. His whole outlook on life is that he can do anything if he puts his mind to it. Rock Lee is full of spirit, making Grazer a perfect fit.
5 Kakashi- Johnny Yong Bosch
The only member of this cast to have been a part of Naruto before as the voice of Akatsuki member Sasori, Johnny Yong Bosch is a fan favorite actor and voice actor. He has starred in countless martial arts based movies and shows, including Power Rangers, and has been the voice of Bleach’s Ichigo Kurosaki and Code Geass’ Lelouch Lamperouge.
Kakashi is the leader of Team 7 and an expert ninja with his own Sharingan, which allowed him to become known as the copycat ninja. He is the truest definition of a ninja within the Naruto universe, but his care for his comrades makes him a beloved character.
4 Itachi- Charles Melton
Known for his recent work as Reggie Mantle in CW’s Riverdale and as Daniel in 2019’s The Sun Is Also A Star, Charles Melton is an accomplished actor who has started to get into more action-oriented roles with the recent Bad Boys For Life.
He has shown his ability to play comedic characters, but he shines as a strong silent type. He is able to convey emotions with ease and make the audience feel intimidated with a glace, which is perfect for the older Uchiha brother. As the ninja who slaughtered his own clan, Itachi is a tough role, but one that Melton could play.
3 Kisame- Robbie Amell
The partner in crime to Itachi and one of the most significant fish-men in anime, Kisame is an evil character with a lust for blood. As one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, he is an expert assassin and all-around an unlovable character.
Robbie Amell has played heroes in several shows including his stint as Firestorm on CW’s The Flash and as Stephen in The Tomorrow People. He is also well known for his comedic acting. What he rarely gets to play are villainous characters, and his take on the man-shark Kisame would likely be terrifying and humorous in all the right ways.
2 Gaara -Thomas Barbusca
Gaara of the Sand is an imposing figure in the Naruto world as the jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Shukaku, an extremely powerful beast. His sand control is one of the most powerful techniques in the whole series, allowing him to have amazing offense and greater defense. Gaara is also extremely full of himself.
Thomas Barbusca has been playing characters that meet this same, better than everyone archetype since he began acting. Regularly playing a loud-mouthed bully, he would be an interesting choice to play the silent and deadly Gaara, as long as the special effects match.
1 Third Hokage- Viggo Mortensen
The Third Hokage is a man of wisdom and experience. As the leader of Konoha, he is tasked with making sure the city and its people live well. He also happens to be an incredibly strong shinobi who can use a Shinigami Sealing Jutsu, which is not to be taken lightly.
Viggo Mortenson would make the perfect Third Hokage because he has the range to play a wise old man and the spry agility that would be required of the role. He is also a big name which, like Willem Dafoe’s role as Ryuk in 2019’s Death Note, would bring the general public interest to an anime-based live-action movie.