Charles Melton in talks to play Kakashi as villain in Lionsgate's live-action Naruto

Variety reported on 20 August 2026 that Charles Melton is in talks to play Kakashi Hatake as the antagonist in Destin Daniel Cretton's live-action Naruto film for Lionsgate. In Masashi Kishimoto's original manga, Kakashi is a prodigy ninja and mentor to the hero — not a villain. Lionsgate has not responded to a request for comment; the deal remains in negotiation.