Street Fighter Movie Set for October 2026 Release with an Unconventional Cast
The upcoming live action Street Fighter movie has officially been scheduled to hit theaters on October 16, 2026. The project is being directed by Kitao Sakurai, and while specific plot details are being kept under wraps, a few broad strokes have been shared. The film will be a period piece set in 1993, a direct callback to the year the iconic Street Fighter II arcade game first launched. The story will follow the game’s familiar roster of characters as they find themselves entangled in a dangerous conspiracy that forms the backdrop to their legendary street fighting battles.
Given the source material, a certain level of campy fun is all but guaranteed, and the recently announced casting decisions strongly reinforce that expectation. Some choices align with traditional action roles. Andrew Koji, known for his work in the film Bullet Train and the series Warrior, has been cast as the lead character, Ryu. Noah Centineo, who rose to fame in Netflix romantic comedies like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, will be stepping into the role of Ken Masters. The role of Chun-li will be played by relative newcomer Callina Liang. Taking on the formidable challenge of portraying the villain M. Bison is David Dastmalchian, who will attempt to fill the memorable shoes of the late Raul Julia from the 1994 film adaptation.
It is the remainder of the casting announcements that venture into truly unexpected territory, generating significant buzz and curiosity. Rapper and actor Curtis Jackson, widely known as 50 Cent, has been cast as the boxer Balrog. The role of the mask-wearing Spanish assassin Vega will be played by country music artist Orville Peck, who is known for performing in a fringed mask. In perhaps the most surprising reveal, action star Jason Momoa has been tapped to play the feral, electrically-charged beast Blanka. Rounding out the eclectic cast is WWE professional wrestler Cody Rhodes, who will portray the all-American soldier Guile.
This unique blend of actors, musicians, and athletes has created a wide spectrum of reactions. The casting could be seen as a stroke of genius, perfectly capturing the bizarre and international spirit of the game’s universe. Conversely, it could be perceived as a misguided attempt that misses the mark entirely. The final product will likely land somewhere in between, potentially being both absurd and brilliant simultaneously. The project remains one of the most talked-about video game adaptations in development, with its success hinging on how this unconventional ensemble comes together on screen.
