Street Fighter – Trailer

Sometimes the world needs a third try. In 1994, it got Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile, a character known in gaming history for his iconic flat-top haircut and American patriotism, now played by a Belgian with an accent. This was less fan service than proof that Hollywood understood the game series about as well as a karate beginner understands shoryu.

In 2009, they tried their luck with "The Legend of Chun-Li." The result landed on various worst-of lists and was named one of the worst video game movies ever by Time magazine. Kristen Kreuk as Chun-Li, no Hadoukens, no tournament – ​​they simply ignored the core of the game completely and produced a generic action film to which they retroactively slapped the Street Fighter name.

And now: Attempt number three. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, produced by Legendary Entertainment in association with Capcom, distributed by Paramount Pictures. Release date: October 16, 2026.

The casting sheet as an event in itself
The film is set in 1993 – a decision that unequivocally states: We want the arcade-core feel, not the gritty reboot feel. That's smart. Street Fighter II was the gold standard in 1993, the benchmark for an entire genre. Capturing the arcade era on the big screen is ambitious – and for once, the right ambition.

Jason Momoa as Blanka. Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent, as the Balrog. Roman Reigns as Akuma. Cody Rhodes as Guile. Nobody seems ashamed to be there – and every bizarre costume, every growl, every absurd hairstyle is taken completely seriously. Which is exactly the right approach for this material.

Joining them are Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken – the actual main characters, who, unlike in previous adaptations, are now faithfully at the center of the story – Callina Liang as Chun-Li, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, and Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim. Andrew Schulz plays Dan Hibiki, arguably the worst fighter in the entire game series, which is either self-irony or cruelty. Probably both.

The cast is as diverse and eccentric as the game's roster itself – and that's actually the first time in the history of this film series that you can say that.

What the trailer promises
The trailer shows Ken smashing a car in the classic car-smashing bonus round from Street Fighter II. Ryu is loading up a Hadouken. Chun-Li is recruiting fighters from all over the world for the World Warrior Tournament. And M. Bison is doing very M. Bison-like things in the background.

This is fan service. Genuine, affectionate, unapologetic fan service. And after thirty years of waiting, it's perfectly acceptable to celebrate it.

For years, video game movies have tried to tone down the weird parts. They wanted to be darker, more grounded, more believable. Which is difficult when the source material includes green electric beasts, yoga fireballs, and a man whose hair is naturally styled in a military-style standoff.

Sakurai – known for "Bad Trip," an absurdist action comedy – seems to have grasped what his predecessors refused to understand: Street Fighter doesn't have to be realistic. It has to be Street Fighter.

Whether it works remains to be seen.
The Philippou brothers would likely have made a darker, more intense film – their horror film "Talk to Me" was one of the most compelling debuts of recent years. Their departure and Sakurai's takeover have clearly shifted the tone towards comedy and spectacle. Whether this was the right decision will be revealed in October 2026.

One thing is certain: the bar is set very low. 1994 Van Damme. 2009 Untitled Action Film. Anything that lets Ryu throw a Hadouken without looking ridiculous is already a step forward. And when Jason Momoa, as the green muscle monster Blanka, performs the first scene in which he electrocutes someone – then the goal is already half achieved.

Street Fighter – Trailer