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Cast of Street Fighter 2026: Full List of Actors & Characters

Freddie Harry Morgan Clarke • 2026-07-12 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

Few video game franchises have a cast of characters as instantly recognizable as Street Fighter. Now, a new film adaptation directed by Kitao Sakurai is assembling its own roster with Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, and Callina Liang as Chun-Li, set for release on October 16, 2026.

Release date: October 16, 2026 · Director: Kitao Sakurai · Confirmed cast members: 8 · Main characters: Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, M. Bison, Blanka, Akuma, Guile

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Balrog casting not yet announced
  • Streaming platform not confirmed
  • Trailer release date unknown
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Trailer expected 3-6 months before release
  • Streaming announcement likely after theatrical run

Eight key facts about the 2026 film, one pattern: the cast leans heavily on established action stars and rising talent.

Label Value
Film title Street Fighter (2026)
Director Kitao Sakurai
Release date October 16, 2026
Main character (Ryu) played by Andrew Koji
Chun-Li played by Callina Liang
M. Bison played by David Dastmalchian
Blanka played by Jason Momoa
Akuma played by Roman Reigns

What is the cast of Street Fighter 2026?

Confirmed cast list

  • Andrew Koji as Ryu (IMDb cast list)
  • Noah Centineo as Ken Masters (IMDb cast list)
  • Callina Liang as Chun-Li (IMDb cast list)
  • David Dastmalchian as M. Bison (IMDb cast list)
  • Jason Momoa as Blanka (IMDb cast list)
  • Roman Reigns as Akuma (IMDb cast list)
  • Cody Rhodes as Guile (IMDb cast list)
  • Eric André as Don Sauvage (IMDb cast list)

Character-actor pairings

Every confirmed actor maps to a classic video game fighter. The eight pairings above cover the World Warriors roster, including Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, M. Bison, Blanka, Akuma, Guile, and the original character Don Sauvage. Notably, Balrog, Vega, Dhalsim, and Zangief have not yet been officially cast. People magazine reported the side-by-side comparisons of the 2026 cast with the 1994 film, highlighting the shift toward a more diverse ensemble.

The pattern

The 2026 cast pulls from action film stars (Momoa, Reigns, Rhodes) and comedy actors (Centineo, André) rather than martial artists. That’s a deliberate break from the 1994 film’s casting of actual fighters like Jean-Claude Van Damme.

The implication: this casting strategy prioritizes name recognition over fighting pedigree, a trade-off that could broaden audience reach.

When is the Street Fighter 2026 release date?

Theatrical release date

October 16, 2026 is the official theatrical release date in the United States. IMDb and People magazine both confirmed the date. A Rotten Tomatoes Facebook post also promoted the October 16 opening.

Streaming availability

No streaming platform has been announced. The film is currently scheduled only for theatrical release. Past Street Fighter adaptations have moved to streaming after a few months, but no deal has been made public yet.

Bottom line: Director Kitao Sakurai has locked the October 16 date. For fans who prefer streaming, the wait will likely extend into early 2027.

The catch: the absence of a streaming deal means box office performance will determine the film’s reach, putting pressure on opening weekend numbers.

Who is the main character in Street Fighter 2026?

Ryu as the protagonist

Andrew Koji, best known for Warrior and Bullet Train, plays Ryu, the wandering martial artist and the franchise’s flagship character. IMDb credits list Koji as the lead.

Ken Masters as co-lead

Noah Centineo (the To All the Boys series, Black Adam) takes on Ken Masters, Ryu’s rival and friend. The two characters are central to the film’s narrative, reportedly focusing on their rivalry. IMDb confirms Centineo as Ken.

Why this matters

Ryu and Ken are the emotional anchors of the Street Fighter universe. Casting Koji and Centineo suggests the film will invest in character dynamics rather than just fight choreography.

What this means: the actor pairings signal that the film’s emotional weight rests on Koji and Centineo, both of whom have limited martial-arts film experience.

Who plays Chun-Li in Street Fighter 2026?

Callina Liang as Chun-Li

Callina Liang, a rising actress known for Evil Dead Rise and Anyone But You, has been cast as the iconic Interpol agent Chun-Li. IMDb and People magazine both confirm the casting. Liang replaces Ming-Na Wen, who played Chun-Li in the 1994 film.

The implication: Liang brings a younger, less-established presence than Wen, signaling the franchise’s interest in building new stars.

Is there a trailer for Street Fighter 2026?

Trailer availability

As of May 2026, no official trailer has been released. The only promotional content so far is the cast announcement and a few social media teasers from Rotten Tomatoes.

Expected trailer timeline

Major studio films typically release their first trailer 3–6 months before the premiere. That would place a trailer drop between July and August 2026. If no trailer appears by late summer, the marketing timeline will be unusually compressed.

Bottom line: Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo fans should expect a teaser within the next two months. No trailer by August would be a red flag for the film’s marketing strategy, potentially signaling last-minute production issues.

The pattern: a compressed marketing window often indicates studio uncertainty about a film’s commercial viability.

Is Street Fighter 2026 on Netflix?

Streaming platform status

No streaming platform has been announced. The film is set for a theatrical release on October 16, 2026, but no deal with Netflix, Amazon, or any other service has been confirmed. IMDb lists only theatrical release.

The catch: Without a streaming announcement, the film’s reach will depend entirely on box office performance. A post-theatrical streaming deal could be announced closer to release.

How does the 2026 cast compare to the 1994 Street Fighter cast?

1994 cast overview

  • Jean-Claude Van Damme as Colonel Guile (IMDb 1994 cast)
  • Raúl Juliá as M. Bison (IMDb 1994 cast)
  • Ming-Na Wen as Chun-Li (IMDb 1994 cast)
  • Kylie Minogue as Cammy (IMDb 1994 cast)
  • Wes Studi as Sagat (IMDb 1994 cast)

2026 cast changes

  • Guile: from Van Damme to Cody Rhodes – a pro wrestler replaces a martial artist
  • M. Bison: from Raúl Juliá to David Dastmalchian – character actor takes over the villain
  • Chun-Li: from Ming-Na Wen to Callina Liang – a younger actress assumes the role
  • New characters: Don Sauvage (Eric André) is an original creation not in the 1994 film

People’s side-by-side comparison highlights the 2026 cast’s diversity: more actors of color, more WWE stars, and a shift toward comedy. The 1994 film leaned on action stars and martial artists; the 2026 version casts a wider net.

The trade-off

The 2026 cast sacrifices the martial-arts authenticity of the 1994 film for broader appeal. Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes bring physicality, but none have the same fighting pedigree as Van Damme. That may alienate purists while attracting new viewers.

What this means: the 2026 reboot is betting that star power and WWE crossover appeal will outperform the martial-arts credibility that defined the original adaptation.

Timeline

  • 2024 – Street Fighter 2026 film announced
  • 2025 – Casting announcements begin
  • April 2026 – Full cast revealed via People magazine and Rotten Tomatoes
  • October 16, 2026 – Scheduled theatrical release (IMDb)

The pattern: the two-year gap between announcement and release is standard for tentpole reboots, leaving room for reshoots and post-production.

Confirmed facts & what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Noah Centineo as Ken Masters (IMDb)
  • Andrew Koji as Ryu (IMDb)
  • Callina Liang as Chun-Li (IMDb)
  • David Dastmalchian as M. Bison (IMDb)
  • Jason Momoa as Blanka (IMDb)
  • Roman Reigns as Akuma (IMDb)
  • Cody Rhodes as Guile (IMDb)
  • Eric André as Don Sauvage (IMDb)
  • Release date October 16, 2026 (IMDb)

What’s unclear

  • Balrog casting not announced
  • Whether the film will stream on Netflix
  • Trailer release date

The implication: the unclear items outnumber the confirmed facts for secondary characters, suggesting the studio is holding back announcements to maintain buzz.

Quotes from the cast announcement

“The wait is over: Street Fighter 2026 hits theaters October 16, starring Andrew Koji as Ryu and Noah Centineo as Ken.”

— Fandango social media post, April 2026

“The new Street Fighter cast brings together a diverse ensemble that honors the video game while forging its own identity.”

— People magazine, April 2026

For fans waiting for a trailer, the next few months will be crucial: either a teaser drops soon, or the marketing push will be incredibly tight. For Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo, the choice is clear: build hype early, or risk a crowded October box office.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the director of Street Fighter 2026?

Kitao Sakurai, known for Bad Trip and The Eric Andre Show, is directing the film. IMDb credits confirm him as director.

What is the plot of Street Fighter 2026?

The official plot has not been revealed. Based on the cast, the film likely follows Ryu and Ken’s rivalry and the threat of M. Bison’s Shadaloo organization.

Will Street Fighter 2026 be rated R?

No rating has been announced. Previous Street Fighter films were PG-13. Given the action-oriented cast, a PG-13 rating is likely.

How many characters are in Street Fighter 2026?

Eight confirmed characters so far: Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, M. Bison, Blanka, Akuma, Guile, and Don Sauvage (an original character). Additional characters like Balrog, Vega, and Dhalsim have not been announced.

Is Street Fighter 2026 a sequel or reboot?

It is a reboot. The film starts fresh, unrelated to the 1994 movie or the 2009 Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.

Where was Street Fighter 2026 filmed?

Filming locations have not been publicly disclosed. The 1994 film was shot in Thailand and Australia.

Who is the main villain in Street Fighter 2026?

David Dastmalchian plays M. Bison, the primary antagonist. Roman Reigns as Akuma may also serve as a secondary villain.

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Freddie Harry Morgan Clarke

About the author

Freddie Harry Morgan Clarke

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