Street Fighter Cast Talks Big-Screen Battles, Familiar Moves and Bringing the Game to Life

Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo and the cast of Street Fighter are inviting audiences into a new screen version of the video game franchise, highlighting its fight sequences, character details and connections to the games.

The film is now showing in Philippine cinemas, including IMAX, according to distributor Paramount Pictures. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, it brings together familiar characters including Ryu, Ken Masters, Chun-Li, Akuma, Lord M. Bison and Blanka.

Andrew Koji on connecting with longtime fans

For Koji, who plays Ryu, the challenge was creating a film that could welcome newcomers while giving longtime players details to recognize.

“We all wanted to make sure that not only can we get new fans to love it, but the hardcore fans too,” he said.

Koji added that the production included numerous nods to the franchise, with the team hoping to deliver an adaptation audiences would remember.

Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, who plays Akuma, similarly emphasized the opportunity to explore the world surrounding the fighters.

“There’s that escapism. You can leave everything behind and get lost in this universe, and we’ve put that on film,” he said.

Noah Centineo makes the case for a bigger screen

Centineo, who plays Ken Masters, pointed to the scale of the action and sound as reasons to watch in a large cinema.

“It’s a huge movie. It is so visually stimulating that seeing that on a huge screen is the way to see it,” he said.

He described the fights as physical and intense, adding that IMAX would be his preferred way to experience the film.

David Dastmalchian, who portrays Lord M. Bison, highlighted the combination of action, comedy and more brutal moments. He compared the experience to a roller coaster, crediting the performances and production design alongside the fighting.

Callina Liang also appears as Chun-Li.

Jason Momoa brings a childhood connection

Jason Momoa plays Blanka and serves as a producer. His involvement carries a personal connection to the franchise.

“This is my childhood. Street Fighter was everything growing up,” he said.

Momoa believes the film’s characters and cast offer different points of connection for returning fans and viewers discovering the world for the first time.

Sakurai focuses on the spirit of the games

Sakurai also drew on his childhood experience with Street Fighter when directing the adaptation.

“As a Japanese-American filmmaker, to have the honor to do Street Fighter makes me feel incredibly proud,” he said.

The director said his approach focused on translating the feelings associated with playing the games, alongside their fighting styles, signature moves, costumes and character personalities.

He also encouraged audiences to consider IMAX or other premium cinema formats for the visuals and soundtrack.

Viewers can watch the official trailer for a preview of the film, which Paramount Pictures lists as showing nationwide.