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Street Fighter Movie Update — Cast Negotiations, Director Switch, and Release Date Set for 2026

Street Fighter Movie Update — Cast Negotiations, Director Switch, and Release Date Set for 2026

G
GAIAMay 26, 2025
4 min read
Gaming

The legendary Street Fighter franchise is stepping back into the world of live-action cinema, and this time the gloves are off. With a powerhouse production team, major Hollywood names circling, and a new director at the helm, the upcoming Street Fighter movie could be the adaptation fans have been craving – but what exactly can we expect from this ambitious project?

Street Fighter Movie – Big Names, New Direction, and an Air of Mystery

After years of speculation, the next Street Fighter film is finally gaining momentum. Industry sources reveal that Andrew Koji (Bullet Train, Warrior), Jason Momoa (Aquaman, Minecraft), Noah Centineo (The Recruit), and WWE superstar Roman Reigns are all in early talks to join the cast. While none of their roles are confirmed, the prospect of seeing these talents suit up as fan-favorite fighters is enough to spark excitement – and debate — among long-time fans.

  • Major stars like Andrew Koji and Jason Momoa are in negotiations to join the cast.
  • Kitao Sakurai takes over as director, replacing the Philippou brothers.
  • Capcom is co-producing with Legendary, aiming for authenticity and franchise fidelity.
  • Release date set: March 20, 2026, with plot and roles still under wraps.

Key Takeaways

  • Street Fighter live-action film advances, with high-profile casting negotiations underway
  • Capcom and Legendary collaborate to ensure game authenticity
  • New director Kitao Sakurai shifts creative vision
  • Release targeted for March 20, 2026, but story and cast details remain secret

Game Info

FeatureSpecification
PublisherLegendary Entertainment, Capcom
Release DateMarch 20, 2026
GenresAction, Fighting, Adaptation (Film)
PlatformsTheatrical Release
Classic Street Fighter gameplay image with Ryu and Ken squaring off
Street Fighter’s legacy: The original game series remains a fighting game powerhouse and cultural icon.

The project is a joint venture between Legendary Entertainment and Capcom, with the latter ensuring the film stays true to the spirit of the games. Capcom’s active involvement as co-developer and co-producer is notable — after all, previous adaptations, like the 1994 cult classic starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and the 2009 Legend of Chun-Li, took creative liberties that divided fans. This time, industry watchers are hopeful that Capcom’s oversight will keep the film’s heart close to the source material.

Directing duties have changed hands: Kitao Sakurai, known for his offbeat comedic flair in The Eric Andre Show and Bad Trip, steps in after the Philippou brothers exited the project. While Sakurai is a surprising choice, his experience blending action and absurdity could bring a fresh kinetic energy to Street Fighter’s legendary tournament drama. Still, with the plot and character assignments tightly under wraps, it remains to be seen whether the movie will follow familiar tournament arcs or chart new territory.

What we do know: Street Fighter’s universe is a tapestry of global warriors, each with a distinct fighting style and backstory. The franchise, begun in 1987 and revolutionized by 1991’s Street Fighter II, remains a cornerstone of the fighting game genre, recently reinforced by the critical and commercial success of Street Fighter 6 in 2023. Hollywood’s renewed appetite for game adaptations — after the box office wins of Sonic and Mario — makes this relaunch timely, but also raises expectations.

Legendary and Capcom are aiming for a March 20, 2026 theatrical release, but details about the story and characters are still locked down. Will it be a faithful retelling of the World Warrior tournament, or a creative reinvention for a new generation? The casting choices and creative direction hint at something bold — but with secrecy still in play, fans will have to stay tuned for more than just a Hadoken tease.

TL;DR: The Street Fighter movie is moving forward with big-name actors in negotiations and a new director in Kitao Sakurai. Capcom and Legendary promise more authenticity and energy than previous adaptations, but with details still under wraps, fans will have to wait for their next bout of news before judging if this is the film the series deserves.

Source: Legendary Entertainment, Capcom via GamesPress