Legendary Entertainment has tapped Kitao Sakurai to direct its upcoming Street Fighter film, a feature-length adaptation of Capcom’s iconic fighting game series. The film, co-developed and co-produced by Legendary and Capcom, is set for release on March 20, 2026, under Sony Pictures.
Sakurai, best known for his work on The Eric Andre Show and Netflix’s Bad Trip, steps into the ring to take on one of gaming’s most legendary franchises. His background in surreal and offbeat comedy raises curiosity about the film’s tone, though no details on the screenplay or casting have been released.
A Legacy of Street Fighting
Debuting in arcades in 1987, Street Fighter redefined the genre with its 1991 sequel, Street Fighter II, which introduced character selection and diverse fighting techniques, setting the gold standard for competitive gaming. The franchise remains a major force in the industry, with Street Fighter 6, released in June 2023, winning Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards.
Hollywood has attempted to bring the game to life before, with mixed results. The 1994 adaptation, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, flopped upon release but later found a cult audience. A more recent attempt was led by Australian directors Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me), but that version never made it to production.
Sakurai’s Rising Profile
Beyond his comedic projects, Sakurai has been expanding his directorial portfolio, helming episodes of Peacock’s Twisted Metal and serving as an executive producer for Netflix’s Beef Season 2. He also directed multiple episodes of Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming action-thriller Butterfly, starring Daniel Dae Kim.
With Capcom heavily involved in the production, expectations are high for an adaptation that finally does justice to Street Fighter’s rich world and characters. As fans speculate on casting choices and narrative direction, one thing is certain—Sakurai has a fight on his hands.
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