Quote:Lionsgate has signed Michael Gracey to direct an adaptation of the popular Japanese manga series "Naruto" and is in negotiations for the film rights to the franchise.

First published in 1997, Masashi Kishimoto's manga has sold more than 200 million copies in print and follows adolescent ninja Naruto Uzumaki, who dreams of becoming the village ninja.

"Naruto" has generated an anime series in Japan that premiered in 2002 and lasted 220 episodes, followed by the "Naruto: Shippuden" sequel which has been airing since 2007. Ten movies have also been produced.

Avi Arad is producing. Gracey is a former visual effects specialist who remains attached to several biopics in the works including the Elton Jonn-themed "Rocketman" with Tom Hardy, and the P.T. Barnum film "The Greatest Showman on Earth" at Fox.

Quote:TOKYO (April 28, 2015) – Toei Animation has announced production on Dragon Ball Super (Japanese title; tentative
for English release), the first all-new Dragon Ball television series to be released in 18 years. Following the recent events of the hit feature film, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, Dragon Ball Super will debut in Japan in July 2015.

Reuniting the franchise’s iconic characters, Dragon Ball Super will follow the aftermath of Goku’s fierce battle with Majin Buu, as he attempts to maintain earth’s fragile peace. Overseen by Dragon Ball’s original creator, Akira Toriyama and produced with Fuji Television, Dragon Ball Super will draw on its historic past to create a bold, new universe welcoming to fans and endearing to new viewers.

Quote: [As with the last movie], I thought up the new story for the next Dragon Ball theatrical movie as though it were a continuation of the manga when it was in serialization. Just the fact that I don’t have to draw anything means I can obsess completely over the smallest bits of dialogue. Well, the truth is that I wasn’t planning on going that far, since it’s pretty exhausting at my age, but I got a little carried away.

This time will of course be a continuation of the previous Battle of Gods, but I’ve deliberately increased the amount of action scenes by a good deal. With regards to the contents, they told me, “Keep it a secret!” like they’re all high-and-mighty, so I can’t touch on it yet, but it should be super-duper interesting!

The fact that I’d say that, when I’m not big on the flashy action-stuff, means there’s no doubt about it! Even my very first editor Torishima, who rarely ever praises me, said, “This is good!”

Absolutely no doubt about it! …Although it won’t be any good if I say that too loudly and people end up disappointed by it, but at the very least, I’m confident that the contents are something that the fans will be able to thoroughly enjoy! Right now, I’m drawing the design illustrations for the new character[s] and such. The movie’s completion is still a ways out in the future, but please look forward to it!!