Filipino-American Stunt Choreographer Jon Valera Brings Street Fighter’s Signature Moves to the Big Screen

The stunt choreographer and second unit director shares how martial arts, practical effects, and careful preparation shaped the film’s action.

For Filipino-American stunt choreographer Jon Valera, bringing Street Fighter to the screen meant taking on a challenge familiar to generations of gamers: getting its signature moves right.

Opening in Philippine cinemas on October 14, the film translates the fighting game’s distinctive characters and combat styles into live action. Valera worked as stunt choreographer and second unit director alongside director Kitao Sakurai to create fights that honor the games while working as cinematic sequences.

His experience includes the John Wick series and projects in the Marvel and DC universes. Street Fighter also reunites him with frequent collaborator Jason Momoa, who plays Blanka and serves as a producer.

Finding Each Fighter’s Style

Valera approached the choreography with excitement and an awareness of what the franchise means to martial artists and fans.

Rather than giving every character the same fighting technique, his team studied disciplines including Goju-ryu, Shotokan, and Judo. Each fighter’s movement drew from a different set of influences.

Chun-Li’s choreography incorporates Wushu, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu. Blanka moves with an animalistic, self-taught style accented by capoeira, while Guile relies on powerful military-style strikes.

Dhalsim’s movement combines yoga-inspired positions with elements of breakdance. Balrog’s boxing draws inspiration from Mike Tyson and Rocky character Clubber Lang.

For Valera, the film’s 1990s setting also informed its visual approach. He sought cleaner martial arts choreography that recalls the aesthetics of that period and films such as The Matrix, while keeping the action grounded in each character.

Making the Signature Moves Work

Recreating the games’ recognizable attacks required specialists as well as martial artists.

The international stunt team included talent from the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Japan. A Cirque du Soleil performer helped develop Chun-Li’s Spinning Bird Kick, using harnesses and rigs to support the move’s airborne rotation.

Before filming, the team created fully performed, choreographed previews of the fights. These gave cast members a clear view of entire sequences, including complex wire work and interactions with breakaway sets.

Practical stunts remained central to the approach, with visual and special effects supporting moments that could not be performed safely or feasibly.

Preparing for a Large Ensemble Fight

One demanding sequence, described as a burlesque scene, took almost two weeks to film. It involved dozens of extras, airborne performers, and carefully timed pyrotechnics.

Orville Peck, who plays Vega, described it as the film’s longest fight, involving nearly every fighter. The preparation brought together choreography, stunt performance, effects, and safety planning.

The cast also includes Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as Balrog, and David Dastmalchian as M. Bison.

For audiences, Valera’s work offers a look at the craft behind turning familiar game movements into physical performances.

Street Fighter opens in Philippine cinemas on October 14. Watch the official trailer.

Photo and video credit: Paramount Pictures.