'Naruto' news: creator Masashi Kishimoto involved in live-action adaptation

Live-action adaptations of manga and anime series haven't always worked out. Well, unless it's Japanese-made. Something always goes wrong when it's a Hollywood-made adaptation. Remember "Dragonball: Evolution"? "Dragon Ball" fans probably wished that film didn't exist at all.

When Japanese magazine Shonen Jump announced that Lionsgate was bringing "Naruto" to Hollywood, fans of the series had been a little nervous. But some of those fears were dispelled when "Naruto" creator Masashi Kishimoto revealed that he was going to be involved in the production of the film. He also shared some pre-production art from the film at Weekly Jump's annual Jump Festa event during the weekend.

Fans knew that it was only a matter of time before Hollywood comes knocking at Kishimoto's door for the film rights to "Naruto." After all, the manga and anime series was so popular. But Kishimoto's involvement comes as a surprise.

There was already talk of a "Naruto" live adaptation as early as last year when it was reported that "The Greatest Showman" director Michael Gracey was going to helm the project. The report also mentioned that Avi Arad and Ari Arad are producing the film through Arad Productions. Kishimoto has confirmed Gracey's involvement, but it hasn't been confirmed yet if Arad Productions is still attached to the film.

Kishimoto introduced "Naruto" to the world back in 1999. Since then, it has spawned an anime series, several OVAs and anime films, a spinoff manga, a series of light novels, and a number of video games. The manga series ended in 2014, but the anime series is still airing. It was also announced that the follow-up anime series, "Boruto," will come out on April 2017.

Despite the fact that Kishimoto is involved with the film, many fans still think things are going to end badly. Can the live-action adaptation of "Naruto" break the curse?