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- Primary Subject: Charles Melton / Naruto & X-Men Casting Rumors
- Key Update: Beef star Charles Melton is reportedly in final talks to play Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate's live-action Naruto movie, shedding light on why he was noticeably absent from Marvel's X-Men cast reveal.
- Status: Reported
- Last Verified: August 21, 2026
- Quick Answer: Charles Melton is in talks to play Kakashi in Destin Daniel Cretton's Naruto, explaining his absence as Beast in Marvel's X-Men reboot.
Anime and comic book fans were hit with a shocking casting surprise after weeks of heavy speculation that initially linked Charles Melton to Marvel's X-Men reboot.
When Marvel Studios officially unveiled key cast members for their mutant saga reboot without Melton on the roster, online rumors swirled that the actor had walked away from playing Hank McCoy (Beast).
The mystery was solved shortly after reports confirmed Melton opted to lead another major adaptation instead: as the legendary ninja Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate's upcoming live-action Naruto movie.
Could Charles Melton Have Dropped Beast Role for Live-Action Naruto?
For months, industry insiders pegged Emmy-winning actor Charles Melton as Marvel's frontrunner for Hank McCoy, aka Beast, in director Jake Schreier's X-Men.
However, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news, confirming Melton is now in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake in Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton's live-action Naruto feature.
Joining Naruto as the iconic white-haired sensei leading Team 7 requires a multi-film commitment, considering that the first live adaptation kicks off in early 2027 and, depending on its box office performance, may spawn sequels and spin-offs requiring his reprisal for the character.
Balancing two demanding, decade-long franchises likely opened a scheduling conflict, prompting Melton to move away from Marvel's mutant squad to star in a major role in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Where New Fans May Have Seen Charles Melton Before Rumored Castings
Before jumping to the top of every blockbuster casting wishlist, Charles Melton moved steadily in Hollywood through his diverse acting resume.
Showing off his action chops early on, Melton played Rafe, a tech-savvy officer in the tactical AMMO unit opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, in the 2020 action-comedy Bad Boys for Life.
Melton first gained mainstream recognition upon joining The CW's hit drama series Riverdale as the competitive ladies' man jock, Reggie Mantle, before earning critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination starring alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in Todd Haynes' 2023 drama, May December.
Melton later reunited with director Jake Schreier and creator Lee Sung Jin, scoring Emmy nominations for his standout role as Austin Davis, a fledgling personal trainer-slash country club worker in the second season of the acclaimed Netflix anthology series.
In the meantime, fans can wait until Charles Melton is officially cast as the live-action Kakashi Hatake in the live-action Naruto film. Stay tuned!
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