Street Fighter Movie 2026: New Trailer Reveals Stunning Cast, Bold Vision, and What Fans Can Expect

The highly anticipated Street Fighter (2026) movie officially debuted its first teaser trailer during The Game Awards 2025, generating massive excitement across the gaming, MMA, and entertainment worlds. Paramount Pictures and Legendary Entertainment showcased a vibrant, fast-paced look at the live-action adaptation, which promises to be the most ambitious Street Fighter film ever created.

With an ensemble cast featuring Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes as Guile, Roman Reigns as Akuma, Jason Momoa as Blanka, and UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski in a shocking cameo, the project has already become one of 2026’s biggest cinematic talking points.

The film—directed by Kitao Sakurai—is set in 1993 and embraces a nostalgic, arcade-style aesthetic that fans instantly recognized from the trailer. Early reactions highlight the movie’s surprising blend of humor, over-the-top action, and visual faithfulness to Capcom’s iconic franchise.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of everything revealed, based on trending reports, cast announcements, and the viral trailer debut.

A Bold First Trailer Drops at The Game Awards

The teaser trailer delivered exactly what fans hoped for:

• Colorful, arcade-accurate costumes
• Fast-paced martial arts sequences
• A light-hearted tone
• Dozens of iconic characters introduced in rapid succession

The cast appeared live on stage, except for 50 Cent (Balrog), who was absent. The panel emphasized that the movie aims to strike a balance between authenticity and fun—mirroring the spirit of the Street Fighter games.

The trailer’s immediate viral reception suggests the film may succeed where many past video game adaptations struggled.

Alexander Volkanovski’s Shocking New Look Breaks the Internet

One of the most unexpected highlights was the appearance of UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander “Volk” Volkanovski, who plays Joe, an obscure character from the original 1987 Street Fighter arcade game.

Fans were stunned when Volkanovski appeared with:

• A full head of blonde hair
• A retro karate uniform
• A completely transformed physique tailored to the character

The contrast between his usual bald UFC persona and his Street Fighter makeover caused his look to go viral instantly.

Many reactions were humorous:

“Them casting Volk as Joe is diabolical.”
“This might be the only version of Volk that beats Ilia… and his name is Joe.”
“They couldn’t get Dan Hooker? Volk literally looks like he’s playing Hooker.”

Despite playing a minor character, Volkanovski’s star power and physical authenticity have earned him outsized attention.

The 2026 Film Is Set in 1993 — A Return to Arcade Roots

Unlike previous adaptations, the new Street Fighter movie embraces a retro setting, placing the story in 1993, shortly after the events of the classic Street Fighter II era.

This decision allows the filmmakers to:

• Use vibrant arcade-style colors
• Recreate iconic character designs faithfully
• Incorporate Cold War and international tournament themes
• Pay homage to the franchise’s early history

It is clear that Sakurai and the writers aimed to deliver something nostalgic but energized with modern filmmaking.

Official Synopsis Reveals a Character-Driven Story

The central narrative focuses on:

• Ryu (Andrew Koji) and
• Ken (Noah Centineo)

The two estranged fighters are pulled back into conflict when Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the dangerous World Warrior Tournament.

But a deeper conspiracy forces the duo to confront:

• Their past
• Their rivalry
• A powerful villain manipulating events behind the scenes

This storyline aligns more closely with the lore fans know from Capcom’s games, especially Street Fighter II, rather than the radically different 1994 film.

A Massive, Diverse, and Star-Powered Cast

This cast list is one of the most exciting elements of the project. Below are the major confirmed roles:

Main Fighters

• Andrew Koji — Ryu
• Noah Centineo — Ken
• Callina Liang — Chun-Li
• Cody Rhodes — Guile
• Roman Reigns — Akuma
• Jason Momoa — Blanka

Antagonists

• David Dastmalchian — M. Bison
• Orville Peck — Vega
• 50 Cent — Balrog
• Andrew Schulz — Dan Hibiki

Other Key Roles

• Vidyut Jammwal — Dhalsim
• Oliver Richters — Zangief
• Hirooki Goto — E. Honda
• Mel Jarnson — Cammy
• Rayna Vallandingham — Juli
• Alexander Volkanovski — Joe

The casting has attracted praise for being adventurous, internationally diverse, and boldly stylized—reflecting the global nature of Street Fighter.

Cody Rhodes’ Guile Performance Generates Early Buzz

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes appears nearly unrecognizable as Guile, sporting:

• The iconic towering blonde flat-top
• An authentic military uniform
• A flawless “Flash Kick” shown in the trailer

Fans reacted with enthusiasm, noting that Rhodes already feels like perfect casting due to his physicality and charisma.

Roman Reigns as Akuma Dominates Fan Discussions

Another viral casting choice is Roman Reigns, appearing as the deadly Akuma (Gouki).

His character design features:

• Fiery eyes
• Ripped gi
• Signature beads
• Ferocious expressions

Fans were impressed by how well the wrestler fits the role physically and tonally.

Jason Momoa as Blanka — A Surprisingly Strong Fit

Jason Momoa takes on the challenging role of Blanka, one of the most visually difficult characters to adapt.
The trailer showed:

• Electrified green skin
• Beast-like facial features
• A combination of CGI and practical effects

Early viewer reaction suggests Momoa’s version may become the standout creature-style character of the film.

A Tone That Embraces Humor, Fun, and Arcade Energy

Unlike darker adaptations of video game franchises, Street Fighter 2026 leans into playful absurdity.

Observations from the teaser:

• Characters pose dramatically
• Signature moves appear exaggerated
• Dialogue includes self-aware references
• Fights resemble over-the-top anime choreography

This approach mirrors the style of modern video-game movies such as Mortal Kombat (2021), Detective Pikachu, and Sonic the Hedgehog — all successful because they embraced the fun of their source material.

Faithful Costumes and Visual Details Impress Fans

Viewers immediately noted:

• Chun-Li’s accurate blue qipao and ox-horn hairstyle
• Ryu’s classic white gi and red headband
• Guile’s star-spangled military look
• Dhalsim’s warrior paint and yoga beads
• Vega’s mask and claw
• Blanka’s electrified mane

The film appears committed to visual authenticity, addressing a common criticism of earlier Street Fighter movies.

The Movie Avoids the Mistakes of Previous Adaptations

The 1994 Street Fighter live-action movie, though iconic for some, was widely criticized for:

• Incorrect character interpretations
• Low-budget fight choreography
• Tonal inconsistency
• Forced humor
• Too many characters with too little depth

The 2026 version appears to take a middle-ground approach: staying faithful to the games while still being intentionally humorous and stylish.

Legendary Entertainment and Capcom Ensure Strong Production Backing

The film is produced by:

• Legendary Pictures — known for Godzilla, Warcraft, Dune
• Capcom — ensuring lore accuracy
• Distributed by Paramount Pictures

Given Legendary’s track record with large-scale franchises, industry watchers believe this Street Fighter reboot may succeed where earlier attempts struggled.

Official Release Date Confirmed

Street Fighter launches in theaters worldwide on October 16, 2026.

The nearly year-long promotional window allows:

• Multiple trailers
• Behind-the-scenes featurettes
• Cast interviews
• Convention appearances

to build momentum leading into release.

Fan Reactions: A Mixture of Shock, Excitement, and Humor

Across social media platforms, early reactions include:

Praise

• “Best Street Fighter trailer ever produced.”
• “They finally nailed the costumes!”
• “This looks fun, colorful and not too serious — perfect.”

Surprise

• “Volkanovski as Joe?? Didn’t expect that!”
• “Cody Rhodes looks amazing as Guile.”

Humor

• “Volk with hair is something I never needed to see but I’m glad exists.”
• “Jason Momoa as Blanka is wild in the best way.”

The overall tone leans positive, with excitement building among fans of gaming, MMA, and action cinema.

What the Trailer Suggests About the Movie’s Future

Based on everything revealed so far, the 2026 Street Fighter movie seems positioned to achieve:

• Strong mainstream appeal
• Enthusiasm from gamers
• A modern but faithful adaptation
• High action energy with comedic touches

If executed well, the film could spark a new live-action franchise and potentially set the stage for sequels featuring characters like Sagat, Cammy, Fei Long, Sakura, and others not yet confirmed.

Conclusion

The debut of the Street Fighter (2026) movie trailer has ignited excitement across multiple fan communities. Its bold visual style, star-studded ensemble, surprising cameos, and faithfulness to the game’s roots position it as one of the most promising video-game adaptations in years.

With over a year until release, anticipation is already high—and if the film delivers on the promise of its trailer, Street Fighter may finally receive the live-action treatment fans have waited decades for.