STREET FIGHTER Director Says Capcom "Loves" the Movie and the Game's Creator Calls It His Vision Come to Life
The upcoming Street Fighter movie has already won over some pretty important people: the folks at Capcom who helped bring the legendary fighting game franchise to life.
According to director Kitao Sakurai, the developers are thrilled with the live-action adaptation, and one of the game's biggest creative minds believes it captures exactly what he's always imagined Street Fighter could be on the big screen.
In an interview with GamesRadar+, Sakurai shared Capcom's reaction to the film, and it sounds like the studio couldn't be happier with how things turned out.
"They love the movie. [Street Fighter 5 and Street Fighter 6 director] Takayuki Nakayama is just such a great cheerleader and a lover of the movie. What he says to me is that this is his version of Street Fighter in his head come to life. It's a great honor that they feel that way and that they love the movie so much."
Having someone so closely involved with the franchise say the movie matches his own vision of Street Fighter is a pretty awesome endorsement.
Of course, the real challenge will be winning over audiences, especially longtime fans who know these characters and their fighting styles inside and out.
The film follows legendary martial artists Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken (Noah Centineo) as they reunite to compete in the World Warrior Tournament, where the greatest fighters from around the globe battle for the title of world's best.
Naturally, there's more going on than a straightforward martial arts competition, with sinister forces secretly manipulating events for their own purposes.
One thing the filmmakers have taken seriously is getting the action right. The cast and stunt team spent considerable time studying the characters, their signature moves, and their individual fighting styles to make sure the live-action battles actually feel like Street Fighter.
That attention to detail appears to have paid off with Capcom, though early reactions from critics have been mixed. Some viewers have praised the movie as a "fearless good time," embracing its ridiculous action and over-the-top personality. Others haven't been nearly as impressed, criticizing the dialogue and what they've called an "underbaked premise."
Still, Street Fighter doesn't exactly need to reinvent cinema. Fans want to see Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and the rest of these iconic characters throwing down in spectacular fights while capturing the personality and energy that made the games so popular in the first place.
Personally, I'm hoping this movie delivers the kind of ridiculous over-the-top martial arts spectacle that a Street Fighter adaptation should be. The characters, special moves, and tournament format offer plenty of opportunities for some seriously entertaining action.
Having Capcom's approval is encouraging, but fans will ultimately decide whether Sakurai and his team have pulled it off.
Street Fighter hits theaters on October 16. Are you excited to see these characters return to the big screen, or are you keeping your expectations in check?