The upcoming live-action movie adaptation of the popular video gameStreet Fighterhas picked up a new director. Set to release in March 2026, the upcoming movie will reboot the property for the big screen years after the 1994 iteration and 2009’sStreet Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.The games, which spawned a hugely successful multi-media franchise, see players engage in one-to-one fights against their opponents. Danny and Michael Philippou were originallyslated to directStreet Fighter, but they dropped out in June 2024 due to scheduling conflicts.
PerThe Hollywood Reporter,Kitao Sakurai will now directStreet Fighter, taking over from the Philippou brothers. Sakurai, whose previous directing credits includeThe Eric Andre Show, Twisted Metal,andBad Trip, is working alongside Capcom, the developer and publisher that created the fighting game, and Legendary Entertainment, which will produceStreet Fighter. Legendary Entertainment is the company behind hits such asBatman BeginsandDune.
What This Means For Street Fighter
A New Director Will Set The Tone For The Movie
Now, Sakurai is stepping behind the lens. This will be the ninth filmin theStreet Fighteruniverseand the fourth live-action adaptation. The video game series began in 1987 and is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. The 1994Street Fighterfilm, directed by Steve E. de Souza,received poor reviews, but was a modest commercial success, bringing in nearly $100 million at the box office. Sakurai has large financial shoes to fill, but the former movie flailed with critics, which sets a low bar for his rendition.
Street Fighter’s Upcoming Reboot Must Bring 1 Thing Back From The Disastrous 1994 Movie
The 1994 movie based on the video game Street Fighter was a complete mess, but one element should be preserved for the 2026 reboot.
The plot ofStreet Fighter(2026) has yet to be revealed, but it can be assumed that the film will be rife with flashy hand-to-hand combat just like the video game. Sakurai has the opportunity to elevate theStreet Fighteruniverse through directing this new installment. Danny and Michael Philippou’s exit was a setback for the project, butSakurai’s hiring indicatesStreet Fighteris still on track to meet its 2026 release date. However, it will need to begin production soon if it does not want to be delayed, so casting updates should be the next step for the project.
Our Take On Street Fighter Changing Directors
Sakurai Could Add More Humor To Street Fighter
Sakurai is known for his humorous work, namely his time onThe Eric Andre Showandhis 2021 Netflix filmBad Trip. As a writer, producer, and director,he has established himself as someone who leans into comedy. One can imagine that he will add his sense of humor toStreet Fighter,balancing the video game adaptation’s hardcore fighting with more lighthearted and campy moments.
