Lionsgate developing 'Naruto' movie?

Los Angeles: Lionsgate studios are developing is in negotiations to purchase the movie rights to "Naruto", the popular Japanese manga series about an adolescent ninja of the same name.

Michael Gracey, a former visual effects specialist, is expected to helm and Avi Arad are among the producers for the adaptation of the manga series, written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, reported Variety.

Erik Feig, Geoff Shaveitz, and Kelly O'Malley will oversee for the studio.

Besides the "Naruto" movie, Gracey is also linked to Universal's adaptation of New York Times best-seller "Daughter of Smoke and Bone", an Elton John biopic "Rocketman" which has Tom Hardy attached, and Fox's PT Barnum movie "The Greatest Showman on Earth".