Animation
Live Action Naruto Movie Launches Worldwide Casting Search for Team 7
The long awaited live action adaptation of Naruto has officially taken a major step forward. Lionsgate has announced a worldwide casting search to find the actors who will bring the iconic members of Team 7 to life, including Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.
The film is being written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming Spider Man: Brand New Day. Additional casting for supporting characters is expected to follow after the three lead roles have been filled.
In a statement released alongside the announcement, Cretton shared his excitement about adapting one of the most beloved manga series of all time.
“Kishimoto sensei’s stories have inspired generations of fans around the world, and it’s an honour to bring his world and characters to the big screen in live action for the very first time. I’m thrilled to kick off this worldwide casting search for our Team 7 and to bring the incredible universe of Naruto to life!”
Series creator Masashi Kishimoto also expressed his enthusiasm for the project, calling the live action adaptation “a miracle” and praising Cretton’s involvement. Kishimoto said he is eager to see passionate actors step into the roles of the beloved ninja characters that have inspired fans for decades.
Originally debuting in 1999, Naruto became one of the best selling manga series in history before spawning a hugely successful anime franchise. The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, an outcast young ninja who dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village, while overcoming incredible obstacles alongside his teammates and rivals.
A release date for the live action Naruto film has not yet been announced, but with the global casting process now underway, the project is clearly moving into its next major phase.
Ted and John Bennett are getting back together, this time in animated form.
Peacock has released the first look at Ted: The Animated Series, a new adult animated comedy that will reunite Seth MacFarlane and Mark Wahlberg more than a decade after Ted 2.
Unlike Peacock’s live-action Ted series, which serves as a prequel to the movies, the animated series will continue the story of the original film franchise. The show takes place 12 years after the events of Ted 2, with John and Ted now living next door to each other and raising families of their own.
Wahlberg will return as John Bennett, while MacFarlane once again voices Ted. Amanda Seyfried is also returning as John’s wife, Sam, alongside Jessica Barth as Tami-Lynn.
Ted: The Animated Series [peacock]
MacFarlane created the series alongside Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh, with Corrigan and Walsh serving as co-showrunners. Rough Draft Studios is handling the animation.
Peacock has ordered eight episodes for the initial run, with additional episodes expected to arrive in 2027.
The new series gives the Ted franchise an opportunity to move beyond the timeline of the movies while bringing back the characters and actors audiences already know. It also allows Peacock to continue its live-action prequel separately, giving the franchise stories set during two very different periods of John and Ted’s lives.
Ted: The Animated Series will premiere December 17 on Peacock.
Veteran voice actor, director and producer Mike McFarland, whose work included some of the biggest anime franchises of the past three decades, has died. He was 56.
McFarland died Wednesday, September 9, at a care facility in Dallas following a battle with brain cancer. He was surrounded by friends and family at the time of his death.
For generations of anime fans, McFarland was perhaps best known as the English voice of Master Roshi and Yajirobe in the Dragon Ball franchise. He also voiced Buggy the Clown in One Piece, Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, Jean Havocin Fullmetal Alchemist, Mashirao Ojiro in My Hero Academia and Koutarou Amon in Tokyo Ghoul.
His impact on anime extended well beyond his performances. McFarland worked extensively as an ADR director, scriptwriter and producer, helping bring numerous Japanese productions to English-speaking audiences throughout his career.
Master Roshi
McFarland’s health struggles became public in January 2025 after he underwent emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor. The tumor was later identified as glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Friends and fans rallied around McFarland during his treatment, with a GoFundMe campaign raising more than $300,000 to help with his care.
Following news of his death, Crunchyroll paid tribute to McFarland and his impact on the anime community.
“Mike brought so much to all of us who knew him, and to all of the anime fans that knew his work. He was an incredible talent, a good friend to so many of us, and will be sorely, sorely missed.”
McFarland leaves behind an enormous body of work spanning television, movies and video games, with his performances becoming an enduring part of some of anime’s most recognizable franchises.
Animation
The Cat in the Hat | Main Trailer
The Cat takes on one of his toughest assignments yet when he’s tasked with cheering up siblings Gabby and Sebastian as they struggle to adjust to life in a new town. The assignment could also be the Cat’s last chance to prove himself before losing his magical hat.
The new trailer puts Hader’s take on the Cat front and center, showcasing the colorful animated world and the mischief, magic and chaos audiences have come to expect from the character.
The film marks the animated theatrical feature debut of the Cat in the Hat and is the first full-length feature from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni directed the film, with Daniela Mazzucato and Jared Stern producing.
The Cat in the Hat arrives in theaters and IMAX on November 6.
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Adventure, Family
Release Date
November 6, 2026
Directors
Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja
Cast
Bill Hader, Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Paula Pell, Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang and Tituss Burgess
Plot Summary
The Cat takes on one of his toughest assignments yet when he’s tasked with cheering up siblings Gabby and Sebastian as they struggle to adjust to life in a new town. The assignment could also be the Cat’s last chance to prove himself before losing his magical hat.
The new trailer puts Hader’s take on the Cat front and center, showcasing the colorful animated world and the mischief, magic and chaos audiences have come to expect from the character.
The film marks the animated theatrical feature debut of the Cat in the Hat and is the first full-length feature from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni directed the film, with Daniela Mazzucato and Jared Stern producing.
The Cat in the Hat arrives in theaters and IMAX on November 6.
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