Live-Action Street Fighter Movie Finds a New Director

A new challenger has entered the arena—or rather, the director's chair. Legendary Entertainment has tapped Kitao Sakurai, the writer, director, and executive producer behind the wildly popular and absurd The Eric Andre Show, to helm their upcoming Street Fighter film adaptation, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Capcom is reportedly deeply involved in this new adaptation, which already boasts a March 20, 2026 release date.

This marks yet another attempt to bring the iconic fighting franchise to the silver screen. While the 1994 adaptation, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile, Ming-Na Wen as Chun-Li, and the late Raul Julia as M. Bison, may be a cult classic for some, its critical reception was less than stellar.

Casting details remain under wraps, but fans can likely anticipate seeing their favorite Street Fighter characters grace the screen.

Initially, Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me) were attached to direct, but they departed the project last summer. Sakurai's involvement suggests a potential shift towards a more absurdist tone, aligning with the comedic sensibilities of The Eric Andre Show. This could be a refreshing take on the often-serious tone of previous adaptations, particularly appealing to those who appreciate the franchise's more cartoonish elements.

In the meantime, fans can enjoy the latest installment in the franchise, Street Fighter 6, which recently introduced the new fighter, Mai Shiranui. Read our full review of Street Fighter 6 here.