Paramount Pictures has released an early look at the upcoming Street Fighter film, featuring a bout between Blanka and Ryu, played by Jason Momoa and Andrew Koji respectively.
Momoa fully immerses himself into the green-skinned role of the lightning beast known as Blanka, who comes off as a mismatched love child of the Hulk and Pikachu as the red headed creatures lunges around the cage pit. Andrew Koji plays Ryu, bringing martial arts skills he’s known for in series like Warrior and films like Snake Eyes.
Director and co-writer Kitao Sakurai is known as a frequent collaborator of comedian Eric André, who also appears in the film as the ring announcer Don Sauvage. In recent years, Sakurai has worked on television series such as Twisted Metal, which is also a video game adaptation. He also directed episodes of Dave, Butterfly, and season 2 of Beef, a range of experiences that showcases his ability to juggle humor with action along with heart.
On most days, my attitude would be that comparison is the killer of enjoyment but it’s hard not to consider Street Fighter juxtaposed to Mortal Kombat, as the two are arguably the definitive titles in the fighting game genre, akin to DC Comics and Marvel Comics as the leaders of superhero comics (and movies/franchises).
Whereas Mortal Kombat has adapted its fatalities, dark fantasy elements including the Netherrealm into a film that doesn’t shy away from both the ridiculous and bloody gruesomeness, Street Fighter leans into its campiness and appears to giving audiences an interpretation that isn’t afraid to laugh at itself while adapting iconic fireballs and callouts.
Street Fighter will be in theaters on October 16, 2026! Stay tuned for more Dorkaholics coverage on the World Warrior Tournament!
