Street Fighter is officially stepping back into the ring, with the 2026 reboot dropping its first cast look at the 2025 Game Awards and instantly jumping to the top of the ‘ones to watch’ list for video game adaptations. Set for release on 16 October 2026, this new take on the iconic franchise promises a modern spin on the classic tournament setup, leaning into globe-trotting settings, clashing fighting styles and the larger-than-life rivalries that made the original games so beloved.
This time around, the film is reportedly aiming for a sweet spot between pulpy fun and serious action cinema – less camp than the 1994 Jean-Claude Van Damme outing, but not so dark that it forgets its roots in colourful arcades and over-the-top special moves. Expect a focus on hand-to-hand combat that nods to signature attacks in more realistic fight choreography, rather than wall-to-wall CGI. Filmed for a big IMAX debut and featuring the likes of 50 Cent, Noah Centineo and Andrew Koji in full arcade mode, Street Fighter (2026) is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing genre gambles on the upcoming release calendar.
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Who’s On The Roster?
In a world where every major franchise seems to be getting a glossy reboot, the obvious question for ‘Street Fighter’ was always: who on earth can convincingly play Ryu, Chun-Li and Ken? The first official cast look finally answers that. This new line-up mixes rising action talent, box office names and a few delightfully chaotic choices: Andrew Koji steps in as Ryu, Jason Momoa joins the cast alongside professional fighters, 50 Cent appears as one of the franchise heavies, and Eric Andre is there as the wild card you didn’t know you needed.
If you were worried about miscasting, Andrew Koji puts that to rest almost immediately. With real martial arts experience and a talent for contained emotion, he’s a natural fit for Ryu – the wandering fighter chasing true strength, someone whose Hadoukens feel like they’ve been earned in sweat rather than CGI. Callina Liang, a fast-rising Canadian star, takes on Chun-Li, bringing the composure and power needed for those signature lightning kicks, while Noah Centineo taps into his mix of charisma and physicality as Ken Masters, the cocky rival with All-American spark.
Visually, there are tweaks, but most characters feel like they’ve stepped straight out of character select screens and onto the set. 50 Cent leans into Balrog’s brutal aura, complete with that unmistakable haircut, and David Dastmalchian brings a sleek menace to the film’s take on Vega/M. Bison. Around them, wrestlers and seasoned martial artists round out the roster, giving even the secondary fighters a larger-than-life, ring-ready presence that suggests the ensemble may be one of this reboot’s biggest strengths.
Why This Reboot Can’t Afford To Miss
When people talk about the 1994 ‘Street Fighter’ movie, it’s usually with a mix of nostalgia and apology. Yes, it has cult status, but even its biggest fans will admit it felt closer to a live-action cartoon than a true martial arts film – all quips, costumes and chaos, with a tournament setup that barely held together and fights that didn’t exactly showcase the characters’ full potential. It made money and it’s memorable, but it’s hardly the blueprint you’d want a 2026 reboot to follow.
That’s why expectations for ‘Street Fighter’ (2026) initially sat in that lukewarm space between curiosity and caution. Given the mixed history of video game adaptations, it was easy to imagine this becoming either another forgettable IP exercise or a too-serious ‘gritty’ take that misses what makes the games fun. The first proper cast reveal has started to shift that outlook. With Andrew Koji, Jason Momoa, Eric Andre, 50 Cent and a roster of wrestlers and seasoned fighters on board, there’s a clear signal that the film intends to lean into real physicality rather than hide behind choppy editing and CGI. Throw in a few bolder, more offbeat casting choices – including dramatic actors and comedians like Andrew Schulz – and it looks like character moments may hit just as hard as the roundhouse kicks. The flip side? With a line-up this strong, audiences will expect the storytelling and fight design to rise to the same level, making any missteps much harder to forgive.
Can ‘Street Fighter’ Land The Combo This Time?
So what are fans hoping this new ‘Street Fighter’ actually delivers? More than anything, a film that feels like it truly ‘gets’ the games – from distinct fighting styles and signature specials to a colourful roster that hints at a bigger world (and maybe even future spin-offs). The bar is now set for a mix of modern, hard-hitting action with the slightly exaggerated, rivalry-driven spirit of the arcade classic, rather than another round of generic tournament tropes.
There’s also a clear appetite for a story that uses the lore and backstories as more than just set dressing. Recent adaptations like ‘Mortal Kombat’ have shown there’s real demand for faithful-but-updated takes that respect long-time players while still welcoming newcomers. Get the tone, choreography and fan-service moments right, and audiences will forgive a lot – but ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ is no longer an acceptable default.
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
