Street Fighter's 2026 Film Gives Every Fighter a Distinct, Researched Martial Arts Style

Paramount Pictures' live-action adaptation of Street Fighter opens in U.S. theaters on October 16, 2026, directed by Kitao Sakurai from a screenplay by T. J. Fixman and Sakurai, based on a story by Dalan Musson and Gary Dauberman, according to the film's Wikipedia entry. The movie is set in 1993 and follows Chun-Li recruiting fighters Ryu and Ken Masters for the World Warrior Tournament against M. Bison.

A choreographer who studied the whole roster

Stunt coordinator and second unit director John Valera — spelled "Jon Valera" by the Philippine outlet PhilStar — researched the backgrounds and fighting techniques of roughly 150 characters from the Street Fighter game franchise before designing the film's combat, according to a report by The Gamer. The goal, per the outlet, was to give each fighter signature moves that match their in-game identity rather than reusing interchangeable screen-fighting choreography.

Valera, who is Filipino-American, is known for stunt work on the John Wick franchise and Marvel and DC productions, and has frequently collaborated with actor Jason Momoa, according to PhilStar. PhilStar reported that Valera and the stunt team studied Goju-ryu karate, Shotokan karate and Judo to represent the series' Japanese martial-arts roots while trying to avoid dated 1990s action clichés.

Different styles for different fighters

According to PhilStar's interview with Valera, the choreography was tailored character by character: Blanka, played by Jason Momoa, combines an animalistic style with capoeira; Chun-Li, played by Callina Liang, draws on Chinese martial arts including wushu, tai chi and kung fu; Guile, played by Cody Rhodes, relies on powerful, direct striking; Dhalsim, played by Vidyut Jammwal, blends yoga-derived movement with breakdancing; and Balrog, played by 50 Cent, takes a power-heavy approach inspired by Mike Tyson.

Actor Noah Centineo, who plays Ken Masters, told interviewers quoted by Yahoo Entertainment that the production kept the games' signature moves intact, citing Dhalsim's stretching limbs and E. Honda's rapid-strike attacks as examples visible in trailers. Centineo said the choreography reflected meticulous attention to detail for each character, per Yahoo's report.

Translating impossible video-game moves

The Gamer noted that a core challenge for the team was adapting physically impossible game moves — such as Ryu's Hadouken energy blast and Chun-Li's Spinning Bird Kick — into sequences that feel grounded while still keeping the franchise's exaggerated visual style. Visual effects supervisor Sandra Balej worked closely with Valera on these sequences, according to PhilStar, which also reported that one Vega-centered scene took two weeks to shoot with dozens of extras and timed pyrotechnics.

PhilStar reported that the stunt team included performers from the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Japan. The Gamer reported the film runs 119 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating; Wikipedia lists the runtime as 120 minutes.

Cast and tournament setting

Beyond Centineo, Andrew Koji plays Ryu, Callina Liang plays Chun-Li, and Cody Rhodes (credited as Cody Runnels in some reports) plays Guile, according to The Gamer and the film's Wikipedia page. David Dastmalchian plays M. Bison and Roman Reigns plays Akuma, per Wikipedia, with additional cast members including Eric André.