Street Fighter Returns: Hollywood’s Most Ambitious Video Game Adaptation Yet
A New Chapter for the Fighting Game Franchise
The upcoming American martial arts film, directed by Kitao Sakurai, marks the third live-action adaptation of Capcom’s beloved video game series, serving as a reboot of the film series.
The project gained momentum when Legendary Entertainment acquired the live-action film and television rights to the Street Fighter franchise in April 2023, with Capcom joining as co-producer.
Star-Studded Cast Assembly
The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Callina Liang, Joe ‘Roman Reigns’ Anoaʻi, David Dastmalchian, Cody Rhodes, Andrew Schulz, Eric André, Vidyut Jammwal, Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, and Jason Momoa.
The plot follows estranged Street Fighters Ryu and Ken Masters who are thrust back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament. Behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past.
Production and Release Details
Principal photography began on August 18, 2025, in Australia. The film is scheduled for release in the United States by Paramount Pictures on October 16, 2026, and will be shown in IMAX.
Originally scheduled for a March 2026 release by Sony Pictures, the film was taken off the schedule after Legendary’s deal with Sony expired in November 2024. Subsequently, Paramount entered talks to distribute the film after signing a new deal with Legendary.
Legacy and Expectations
Street Fighter, launched in 1987, is a series of fighting games centered around intense one-on-one battles between diverse martial artists. The games typically revolve around a global fighting tournament organized by M. Bison, leader of the evil organization Shadaloo. The franchise has achieved remarkable success, selling over 55 million units worldwide since its launch.
While previous live-action adaptations have received mixed reactions, this new version comes at a time when development is gaining momentum with a secured director and strong cast attachments, raising hopes for a successful reimagining of the iconic fighting game series.
