Street Fighter 2026 Cast vs. The Games: Which Characters Are Lore-Accurate?
Street Fighter movie is releaseing in October 16. 2026. The first trailer has dropped at The Game Awards. It became the most talked-about video on the internet instantly.
We finally learned. It is not a campy sequel to the 1994 Jean-Claude Van Damme film. It is a hard reboot set specifically in 1993. This setting allows the directors to return to the grit and neon of the arcade era.
Street Fighter 2026: The Complete Cast Roster
| Character | Actor | Lore Accuracy | The “It” Factor (Why they fit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The World Warriors | |||
| Guile | Cody Rhodes | 10/10 | The Hair: Only Rhodes can pull off the comic-accurate flat-top. He brings the “American Nightmare” promo energy. |
| Ryu | Andrew Koji | 10/10 | The Fatigue: A legitimate martial artist who captures Ryu’s “tired wanderer” look perfectly. |
| Chun-Li | Callina Liang | 9/10 | The Style: Nails the “ox horns” hair and silk qipao. Captures the determination of Alpha-era Chun-Li. |
| Ken Masters | Noah Centineo | 6/10 | The Ego: Physically different from the game, but captures the rich, cocky energy perfectly. |
| Dhalsim | Vidyut Jammwal | 10/10 | The Real Deal: A master of Kalaripayattu. He performs the high kicks without CGI. A massive upgrade from 1994. |
| E. Honda | Hirooki Goto | 10/10 | The Legend: A New Japan Pro Wrestling icon. This isn’t a fat suit; it’s a real powerhouse athlete. |
| Cammy | Mel Jarnson | 9/10 | The Assassin: Ditch the pop-star look. She looks like a tactical weapon with the accurate camouflage paint. |
| Zangief | Olivier Richters | 10/10 | The Giant: Standing at 7’2″, he is the only human who can play the Red Cyclone without camera tricks. |
| Blanka | Jason Momoa | 8/10 | The Beast: Momoa excels at “feral” roles. The poster hints at massive CGI claws and shoulders. |
| The Villains (Shadaloo) | |||
| M. Bison | David Dastmalchian | 8/10 | The Eyes: Swaps the “campy dictator” vibe for a terrifying, hollow-eyed war criminal look. |
| Akuma | Roman Reigns | 9/10 | The Aura: Akuma doesn’t speak; he intimidates. Reigns has the physical “Final Boss” presence that typical actors lack. |
| Balrog | 50 Cent | 7/10 | The Enforcer: 50 Cent plays greedy and ruthless perfectly. He sells the “Shadaloo Boss” energy. |
| Vega | Orville Peck | 11/10 | The Mask: A country singer who always wears a mask playing a ninja who always wears a mask. Brilliant. |
| Juli (The Dolls) | Rayna Vallandingham | 10/10 | The Prodigy: A 13-time Taekwondo champion. Confirms the movie is using “Alpha 3” lore. |
| Deep Cuts & Easter Eggs | |||
| Dan Hibiki | Andrew Schulz | 11/10 | The Pink Suit: A deep lore reference to Robert Garcia (Art of Fighting). Confirms Dan is the “Joke Character.” |
| Joe | Alexander Volkanovski | 10/10 | The Jobber: Casting a UFC Champ to play the “Generic Player 1” from Street Fighter 1 is a hilarious nod to history. |
| Don Sauvage | Eric André | N/A | The NPC: The ring announcer from Street Fighter V. A cameo for the obsessives. |
| Marvin | Kyle Mooney | New | The Normal Guy: A new character who acts as the audience surrogate, freaking out over the fireballs. |
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Street Fighter movie 2026 cast comparison is what fans are wondering about the movie. The casting choices range from pixel-perfect to bizarre.
Video game adaptations live or die by visual fidelity. Fans do not want realistic military gear. They want the characters to look like the sprites they played in the arcades.
We analyzed every frame of the trailer to see which actors match their Street Fighter II and Alpha counterparts.
The Perfect Matches
Some actors look like they walked directly out of a CRT monitor. The production team prioritized visual accuracy for the martial artists.
Cody Rhodes as Guile
Guile is the hardest character to adapt. His blonde flat-top hairstyle defies gravity. It looks ridiculous in real life
. Most directors change it to a buzz cut to keep the movie grounded. This movie did not do that.
Cody Rhodes Guile hair real or wig is trending for a reason. The trailer shows Rhodes with a massive and comic-accurate blonde flat-top. It looks absurd. But it looks perfect in this heightened reality.
Rhodes is the “American Nightmare” in WWE. He plays a patriotic hero every week on live television. He knows how to carry this visual.
He wears the green tank top and the American flag tattoo. This is the closest we will get to a real-life Guile.
Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim
This is the breakout casting of the film. Indian action star Vidyut Jammwal plays Dhalsim. The transformation is startling.
Jammwal is known for the Commando series. He is an expert in Kalaripayattu. He brings physical legitimacy to the role. CGI cannot replicate this.
We see him with a shaved head in the trailer. He has the iconic three red stripes painted on his skull. He wears the skull necklace and saffron shorts.
The 1994 film imagined Dhalsim as a scientist. This version leans into the Yoga Master lore. Jammwal uses his natural flexibility to perform high kicks.
He does not need excessive stunt doubles. It is a respectful and culturally accurate take on the character.
Andrew Koji as Ryu
Ryu is the heart of the franchise. You cannot cast a standard action star here. You need a martial artist who understands the philosophy of the fight.
Andrew Koji brings legitimate credibility to the role from his work on Warrior.
Fans searching for Andrew Koji Ryu physique might notice a difference from the modern games.
Ryu is incredibly wide in Street Fighter 6. Koji is leaner. This fits the 1993 timeline perfectly.
Ryu was muscular in Street Fighter 2, but not a bodybuilder. Koji wears the white gi. The fabric looks heavy and dirt-stained.
He wears the red headband. His look conveys the wandering warrior archetype. He looks tired. He looks dangerous.
Olivier Richters as Zangief
You cannot fake size. Olivier Richters is known as “The Dutch Giant” for a reason. He stands 7 feet 2 inches tall.
He is the only actor capable of playing the Red Cyclone without forced perspective camera tricks.
The character poster confirms the look. He sports the massive beard and the signature mohawk.
He wears the red vest and shirt combo. This mirrors his Street Fighter Alpha appearance.
Fans feared a CGI Zangief. Casting Richters proves the studio wants physical presence.
He looks like he could crush a car with his bare hands.
Mel Jarnson as Cammy
Cammy White is a fan favorite. The 1994 film cast Kylie Minogue in a loose interpretation. The 2026 version goes for total accuracy.
Mel Jarnson wears the iconic blue leotard. She has the red gauntlets and the red beret.
The poster reveals the green camouflage paint on her legs. This is a specific detail from Super Street Fighter 2.
Jarnson has the tactical look of a Shadaloo assassin. She does not look like a pop star in a costume. She looks like a weapon.
Callina Liang as Chun-Li
Chun-Li is the First Lady of Fighting Games. The pressure on Callina Liang is immense. The poster puts fears to rest.
She wears the classic blue qipao with gold embroidery. She has the white combat boots and the spiked bracelets.
Her hair is styled in the iconic “ox horns” buns covered in white silk. Liang is a rising star.
Her look captures the youth and determination of Chun-Li in the Alpha era. She looks ready to avenge her father.
The Deep Cuts Characters You Didn’t Recognize
The writers did their homework. They included characters that only obsessives will know. This proves they played more than just Street Fighter 2.
Orville Peck as Vega
This is the most meta casting in the film. Vega is the Spanish Ninja obsessed with beauty. He wears a mask to protect his face.
Orville Peck is a country music star who never shows his face. He always wears a fringed mask.
The poster shows Peck in the purple and yellow matador outfit. He wears the white mask and wields the three-pronged claw.
Casting a musician known for a mask to play a fighter known for a mask is brilliant. It adds a layer of mystery to the character.
Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki
Comedian Andrew Schulz plays Dan Hibiki. Dan is the franchise’s joke character. Keen-eyed fans noticed a specific detail.
Andrew Schulz Dan Hibiki pink suit is now trending. He is not wearing a Gi. He is wearing a pink business suit.
This is a deep-lore nod to Robert Garcia from SNK’s Art of Fighting. Capcom created Dan Hibiki to mock Robert Garcia.
Putting Schulz in a pink suit is a brilliant Easter egg. It acknowledges the petty rivalry between game studios in the 90s.
It suggests Dan will be the incompetent comic relief.
Rayna Vallandingham as Juli
The Shadaloo Dolls are elite assassins. Juli is one of the most prominent. Rayna Vallandingham plays her.
Vallandingham is a 13-time World Taekwondo Champion. She is a martial arts prodigy.
The poster shows her in the dark blue Shadaloo uniform. She holds a staff. This confirms the movie is pulling lore from Street Fighter Alpha 3. Including the Dolls suggests that M. Bison has an entire army at his disposal.
Who is Joe?
You saw a man kickboxing in the background. and everyone’s wondering Who is Joe in Street Fighter movie? is.
He is obscure. Joe was the Player 1 character in the original 1987 Street Fighter.
He was a generic American kickboxer. Alexander Volkanovski plays him. Casting a UFC champion as a forgotten jobber is a smart nod to history.
Don Sauvage & Marvin
Eric André appears in the trailer holding a microphone. He plays Don Sauvage. Eric Andre Don Sauvage lore is important.
Don Sauvage is not a fighter. He is an NPC in Street Fighter 5. He is the ring
announcer.There is one mystery left. Kyle Mooney Marvin character. Mooney is a comedian who is listed as Marvin. This character does not exist in the main lore.
He is likely playing a new audience surrogate. He is the normal guy freaking out while everyone else throws fireballs.
The Power Casting Monsters and Heavyweights
These choices are bold. They rely on star power and practical effects to bring the monsters of Street Fighter to life.
Roman Reigns as Akuma
Akuma (Japanese Word For Devil) is a demon consumed by the Surge of Murderous Intent. He has glowing red eyes and purple skin in the games.
The Roman Reigns Akuma look leaked in the trailer is more grounded. Reigns appears shirtless.
He wears the giant prayer beads around his neck. He sports the top-knot hairstyle.
The debate focuses on size. Reigns is a large man. Akuma is a monster. Does Reigns have the physical presence to intimidate the other fighters?
The trailer uses low camera angles to make him look larger. His acting style in WWE fits Akuma’s persona.
He is slow and menacing. He does not need to speak. He just needs to look like he can end the fight with one hit.
Jason Momoa as Blanka
This is the wildest casting choice. Momoa did not appear in the motion footage of the teaser.
But his look was revealed in the official character posters. These dropped at the same time as the video.
This is the wildest casting choice. The Jason Momoa Blanka costume details appear in the new character posters.
The image suggests a heavy use of CGI rather than practical effects.
Blanka has massive shoulders and claws in the artwork. These proportions defy human anatomy.
Momoa described the role as feral on stage at The Game Awards. He will likely provide a motion capture performance.
The studio is saving the full reveal of his rolling attacks for the main trailer
David Dastmalchian as M. Bison
The leader of Shadaloo has arrived. David Dastmalchian is a character actor known for playing unsettling villains.
This is a massive shift from the theatrical Raúl Julia performance. Dastmalchian looks terrifyingly restrained.
The poster shows him in a crimson military trench coat with a peaked cap. He wears the silver Shadaloo skull insignia.
His eyes look dead. This is not a campy dictator. This is a war criminal fueled by Psycho Power. It is a darker take that aligns with the “hard reboot” tone.
Hirooki Goto as E. Honda
Edmond Honda represents sumo to the world. The casting of Hirooki Goto is a nod to wrestling fans. Goto is a legend in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He understands how to work a crowd.
The poster shows him in the traditional mawashi. He has the chonmage topknot. This is not a fat suit. This is a professional athlete with a sumo build. He brings the necessary bulk to the screen.
50 Cent as Balrog
Balrog is the Mike Tyson archetype. He is a massive and angry boxer. 50 Cent is older than the traditional Balrog.
But the casting works.
The 50 Cent Balrog reaction was mixed initially. The footage sells it. 50 Cent has the build of an older brawler.
He wears the classic blue boxing trunks with yellow trim.
He looks mean. Balrog is a greedy enforcer for Shadaloo in the lore. 50 Cent plays greedy and ruthless characters well.
He might not move as fast as a young boxer. He sells the boss energy perfectly.
The Missing Fighters: Where is the King?
The cast is huge. Two major names are absent.
Why is Sagat not in the movie?
Why is Sagat not in Street Fighter 2026? This is the most common complaint. Sagat is the Emperor of Muay Thai. He is Ryu’s main rival. His absence is likely strategic.
You cannot have Bison, Akuma, and Sagat all in one movie. It is too many villains. The writers are likely saving Sagat for the sequel. He has a redemption arc in the later games. He deserves his own storyline.
The Fei Long Problem
Fei Long Street Fighter movie rights are a legal minefield. Fei Long is a direct copy of Bruce Lee. The Bruce Lee estate manages his likeness strictly. They often prevent Fei Long from appearing in adaptations. It is easier to leave him out than to navigate the legal issues.
Street Fighter 1994 vs. 2026: A Visual Comparison
We have been here before. The 1994 movie is famous for being bad. The 2026 movie is trying to be good.
The first comparison highlights the drastic shift in tone. Cody Rhodes captures the anime accurate look of Guile perfectly. The 1994 version relied on standard military fatigues. David Dastmalchian brings a terrifying intensity to M. Bison. His look replaces the theatrical cape with functional warlord armor.
The Monsters & Mystics We see the biggest upgrades in this category. Vidyut Jammwal embodies the physical reality of Dhalsim. The 1994 film reduced him to a lab scientist. Jason Momoa embraces the feral nature of Blanka.
The Fighters. This round compares the fighting legitimacy. Andrew Koji brings actual martial arts experience to Ryu. This contrasts with the generic action style of the 90s adaptation. 50 Cent is older than the Game Sprite. But he captures the menacing and greedy energy of Balrog perfectly.
The Rivals & The First Lady Noah Centineo brings a more physically imposing look to Ken than the 1994 version. Though some fans miss the shaggy hair. Callina Liang takes on the iconic role of Chun-Li. She succeeds Ming-Na Wen’s widely praised portrayal in the original film.
Hardcore fans are debating the M Bison costume accuracy. Dastmalchian looks terrifying. The new movie ditches the bright red cape for dark armor. It prioritizes a warlord aesthetic over the dictator look. Street Fighter 1994 vs 2026 cast comparisons show a clear shift. We traded camp for combat.
Production Details Fans Need to Know
The movie is not just about the cast. The music and rating set the atmosphere.
OST/Songs
Street Fighter 2026 trailer song name is “Punk Tactics” by Joey Valence & Brae. The track is aggressive and retro. It fits the 90s aesthetic.
Eminem Street Fighter soundtrack rumors started after 50 Cent posted on Instagram. He claimed he is getting Eminem on the album. This would bridge the gap between the 90s kids and the modern audience.
Filming Location
Street Fighter movie filming locations in Australia confirmed. Filming took place in Sydney. The production used Australian cities to double for Metro City. The set photos show retro cars like the Lexus LS400 to sell the 1993 date.
Age Rating
Parents are asking about the intensity. The Street Fighter movie 2026 age rating is expected to be PG-13. The synopsis promises a brutal clash. But studios need the teen audience.
Also, is the new Street Fighter movie canon? No. It borrows heavily from the Alpha timeline. It is a cinematic remix and not a direct prequel to the games.
This movie has flaws. The roster is missing icons. Some costumes look expensive. Others look strange. But it looks like Street Fighter for the first time in 30 years. Guile has the hair. Ryu has the gi. Dhalsim has the stripes. That is enough to get us in the theater on October 16.
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