The wrestling world just collided with Hollywood’s biggest stage in spectacular fashion. Two of WWE’s top superstars have landed major roles in the upcoming Street Fighter live-action film, marking another significant crossover moment for sports entertainment’s biggest names into mainstream cinema.
Game Awards Reveal Drops Wrestling Bombshell
The Game Awards at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater became ground zero for a massive entertainment announcement. The cast of Legendary Pictures’ new Street Fighter adaptation took the stage to unveil their first teaser trailer.
Set for theatrical release on October 16, 2026, this Paramount-distributed project promises to redefine the beloved fighting game franchise for modern audiences. The film is being shot specifically for IMAX theaters, signaling the studio’s confidence in creating a blockbuster experience.
WWE’s Biggest Names Step Into the Ring
Roman Reigns Embraces His Dark Side as Akuma
The Tribal Chief himself, Roman Reigns, has been cast as Akuma, one of Street Fighter’s most menacing and powerful characters. This casting choice makes perfect sense given Reigns’ commanding presence and natural intensity that has defined his WWE championship runs.
Reigns appeared live during the teaser reveal, giving fans their first glimpse of his transformation into the legendary dark warrior. Following the announcement, he took to social media with a cryptic message that sent wrestling and gaming fans into overdrive.
“Embrace the darkness. Akuma is coming.” – Roman Reigns
American Nightmare Becomes American Hero
Cody Rhodes steps into the military boots of Guile, the iconic American fighter known for his distinctive flat-top haircut and patriotic fighting style. While Rhodes couldn’t attend the live reveal, his prominent featuring in the promotional materials confirms his significant role in the production.
The casting aligns perfectly with Rhodes’ All-American persona and his recent championship success, making him an ideal fit for Street Fighter’s most recognizable military character.
Star-Studded Ensemble Brings Gaming Icons to Life
This Street Fighter adaptation boasts an impressive roster spanning Hollywood, professional wrestling, and mixed martial arts. The diverse casting approach reflects the global appeal of the original game series.
Key casting highlights include Noah Centineo as Ken, Andrew Koji as Ryu, and Callina Liang as Chun-Li in the lead roles. Jason Momoa not only stars as Blanka but also serves as producer, bringing his considerable star power to the project.
The wrestling representation extends beyond WWE, with NJPW’s Hirooki Goto taking on E. Honda. MMA crossover appears through UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski as Joe, continuing the trend of combat sports athletes transitioning to Hollywood.
Plot Details Promise Nostalgic Tournament Action
Director Kitao Sakurai has crafted a story set in 1993 that honors the original game’s tournament structure while adding dramatic depth. The plot centers on estranged fighters Ryu and Ken being recruited by Chun-Li for the World Warrior Tournament.
Paramount’s official synopsis teases “a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury” while promising a deeper conspiracy that forces the main characters to confront both external enemies and internal demons. This approach suggests a more character-driven narrative than previous video game adaptations.
Franchise Redemption After Previous Misfires
This new adaptation carries the weight of redeeming a franchise that has struggled on the big screen. The 1994 Street Fighter film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme achieved cult status but received mixed critical reception.
The 2009 follow-up, The Legend of Chun-Li, failed to connect with audiences or critics, leaving the property dormant for over a decade. Legendary Pictures aims to reset expectations with this new approach, leveraging their successful track record with big-budget spectacles.
This marks the first release under Legendary’s fresh global distribution partnership with Paramount, adding extra significance to the project’s success potential.
Wrestling Meets Gaming in Perfect Harmony
The inclusion of top-tier WWE talent represents a smart strategic move that taps into multiple fandoms simultaneously. Both Reigns and Rhodes bring legitimate acting experience from their extensive storytelling work in professional wrestling.
Their casting also ensures built-in audience interest from wrestling’s massive global fanbase, potentially expanding the film’s reach beyond traditional gaming and action movie audiences. With both superstars at career peaks in WWE, their involvement generates significant cross-promotional opportunities.
As we count down to October 2026, the wrestling community has every reason to be excited about seeing their favorites trading the squared circle for the silver screen. Will this Street Fighter adaptation finally deliver the video game movie that fans have been waiting for, and can Reigns and Rhodes prove that wrestlers truly are the ultimate action stars?