The film adaptation of Street Fighter seems to be getting a reboot. It's even rumored that Jason Momoa is in talks to play a cult character from the franchise.
Street Fighter: From the Small to the Big Screen
Street Fighter is an extremely cult video game franchise. The very first installment of the saga was released in 1987, developed by Capcom. Decades later, the franchise has evolved with the platforms and consoles, moving from arcade machines to the Super Nintendo, to the PlayStation, and then to the PC.
Street Fighter is a cult saga, and has marked the history of fighting video games. It has even become a pillar of eSport tournaments like EVO. Ryu, Ken, and Blanka have influenced all modern fighting video games.
In cinema, Street Fighter already had a 1994 adaptation, with live action. A disreputable B-movie led by Jean-Claude Van Damme. The video game was also adapted into a cartoon through a few cult children's series such as Street Fighter: The Animated Series (1995–1997). But the fan favorite adaptation is arguably the 2009 film: Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.
Currently, Legendary and Capcom are working on a new adaptation of Street Fighter for the big screen. A new live-action film entrusted to director Kitao Sakurai, in which Jason Momoa could play a central role.
Jason Momoa in Street Fighter?
The project finally seems to be moving in the right direction since Deadline reported a first glimpse of the film's future cast. According to the American media, Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo are in talks to play Ryu and Ken respectively. Jason Momoa is also reportedly in the mix and is poised to land the role of Blanka. Finally, Roman Reigns, a WWE fighter, is also reportedly in talks to play the role of Akuma.
Information confirmed by journalist Jeff Sneider, who seems to have some scoops about this adaptation:
Just got scooped on @WWERomanReigns joining the STREET FIGHTER movie. Not happy... pic.twitter.com/TohT9PjXqh
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) May 21, 2025
Last month, Nexus Point News reported that Noah Centineo and Andrew Koji were in talks to play Ken and Ryu in the Street Fighter movie being developed by Legendary Pictures.
I have since learned that this is true, and I have also been told that WWE wrestler Roman Reigns is in talks to play TK.
Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip) will direct the film from a script by Dalan Musson (Captain America: Brave New World).
Koji (Warrior) will play Ryu, the titular "street fighter"—a martial artist who has mastered the art of Ansatsuken and travels the world seeking out worthy opponents.
Centineo (The Recruit) will play Ken Masters, Ryu's friend and rival, who has trained with him since they were young.
Reigns is set to play Akuma, the younger brother of Ryu and Ken's master Gouken. Akuma made his first appearance in Super Street Fighter II Turbo as a secret character and alternate boss to the villainous M. Bison.
Street Fighter is based on a popular video game series that first released in 1987, centering around a worldwide fighting tournament hosted by M. Bison, the leader of the evil organization Shadaloo.
The latest installment in the series, Street Fighter 6, was released in 2023 and won “Best Fighting Game” at The Game Awards 2023. The game’s publisher, Capcom, is collaborating with Legendary on the film, which will be distributed by Sony Pictures.
Reigns, whose real name is Joe Anoa’i, previously appeared on the big screen in the Fast & Furious spin-off, Hobbs & Shaw (2019). He is portrayed by Bad Toro.
If Jason Momoa actually plays Blanka, it would be his second consecutive foray into a video game universe after his recent appearance in Minecraft. So, watch this space.
My sources tell me Momoa would play the green-skinned Blanka. Not sure about the other ones. https://t.co/nl97MVlMDi
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) May 21, 2025
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