The Ultimate Guide to Naruto's Live-Action Movie: Why Fans Will Be Pleasantly Surprised
Naruto's live-action movie adaptation faces challenges ahead as critics speculate on potential failures Is the format doomed from the start? Find out why a TV series might have been a better fit for this beloved anime
Summary
The forthcoming live-action Naruto film by Lionsgate may face difficulties in capturing the enchantment of the original anime. This can be attributed to the incorporation of fantastical elements and action sequences that may prove challenging to replicate in a live-action format.
The Naruto manga comprises 72 volumes, while the anime spans across 720 episodes. Due to the extensive content, Lionsgate cannot adapt the entire story into a single film, making a TV show a more suitable option for allowing the narrative to further develop. Live-action adaptations of anime frequently receive backlash for straying from the original source material. Unless a sequel is produced for the Naruto movie, alterations and condensation of the story will be necessary.
Live-action anime adaptations often receive negative reviews, and Lionsgate's upcoming Naruto movie is already set up for potential failure due to its format. The studio's attempt to bring the popular anime to life has faced significant challenges during its development, leaving doubts about whether it will actually happen. The film was initially announced in 2015, but it appeared to have been put on hold. Nonetheless, The Cinemaholic reports that it is currently back in development at Lionsgate.
If the live-action Naruto movie by Lionsgate does move forward, it may not achieve the success the studio desires. Despite having an established fanbase and an intriguing premise to work with, the film will struggle to capture the essence of Naruto on the big screen. One obstacle is the series' inclusion of fantastical elements and intense action sequences, which are not easily adaptable to live-action. However, there is another reason why a Naruto movie would be challenging to execute.
A Live-Action Naruto Adaptation Is Better Suited For TV
Lionsgate faces a challenge with its Naruto movie due to its plan of releasing a feature-length film. However, the Naruto series is better suited for television, considering its extensive content. The Naruto manga, written by Masashi Kishimoto, spans 72 volumes. Additionally, the Naruto anime consists of a total of 720 episodes, including 220 episodes from the original series and 500 episodes from Naruto Shippuden. This vast amount of material makes it impossible for Lionsgate to adapt the entire story into a single film.
To truly do justice to the narrative and allow for character and plot development, a live-action Naruto TV show would be more appropriate. With the flexibility of multiple episodes, it could provide a sufficient amount of space for the story to unfold over 10 or more episodes. Although it would not be able to cover everything from the source material, it would give Naruto a better chance of success. In contrast, live-action anime movies often do not receive sequels, resulting in a one-and-done situation for Lionsgate's film. While a Naruto TV show might also face challenges in securing a second season, it would have more time to build an audience and establish its footing compared to a movie.
Why The Live-Action Naruto Movie Will Probably Fail
The live-action Naruto adaptation is destined to fail as it is restricted by the runtime of a movie. Anime adaptations are commonly criticized for straying significantly from the source material. Lionsgate's Naruto movie will inevitably have to make modifications to the original storyline since it is impossible to faithfully adapt the anime and create a fulfilling film. Unless the writers have assurance of a sequel, they will be required to condense and alter Naruto Uzumaki's story to fit within a limited timeframe. This will ultimately hinder the success of the Naruto movie, which already faces skepticism towards anime adaptations.
