New Street Fighter Movie Finds Its Ryu and Ken

The fresh live-action Street Fighter film is now under production. Following the departure of directors Danny and Michael Philippou, Kitao Sakurai from Bad Trip takes over as the new director. The Sony Pictures project has potential actors in its sights for the roles of Ryu and Ken.

Street Fighter is among the oldest video game series still going strong today, initially launched by Capcom in 1987. This Japanese multimedia franchise features an extensive roster of combatants, including characters like Ryu and his adversary Ken, who engage in a worldwide fighting tournament.

Due to the success of the video game franchise, various films based on it have been made. In 1994, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred as Guile instead of Ryu or Ken. Although the action movie was criticized for its excessive special effects, deviation from the source material, and cheesy elements, Raul Julia’s portrayal of General M. Bison, his last role before passing away, was highly appreciated by critics.

2009’s Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, starring Smallville’s Kristin Kreuk, was another film adaptation of the popular video game. Like the 1994 version, it faced criticism for deviating from its original storyline and having a disappointing plot.

To date, the animated adaptation that has remained truest to the original — despite taking several creative liberties — is the 1994 version. This anime, helmed by Gisaburō Sugii and produced by Group TAC, gained a reputation for its edgy and thought-provoking content. It was a commercial triumph, earning $29 million against a production budget of only $6 million. Over time, it has become an cherished part of the Street Fighter community’s history.

Who is playing Ryu and Ken in the new Street Fighter movie?

Contrasting with past live-action Street Fighter films, the upcoming movie will center around characters like Ryu and Ken. The initial cast members for these roles have been hinted at by Nexus Point News.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled to share that Andrew Koji, renowned for his roles in Warrior and Snake Eyes, is reportedly discussing his part in portraying Ryu. This titular figure is an ardent Ansatsuken karate warrior, constantly journeying across the globe in search of worthy adversaries. On the other hand, Noah Centineo, from The Recruit, is said to be negotiating for the role of Ken – Ryu’s loyal friend and formidable rival. Ken’s self-assured demeanor as the best is complemented by his swift, aggressive fighting style.

The initial pair of live-action Street Fighter films might not have received favorable reviews. However, one can hope that the third attempt will strike a chord with audiences. If this new adaptation doesn’t hit the mark, though, there’s always the option to revisit the anime version.

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2025-04-18 01:10