A new Street Fighter movie is on the way, and the film’s already stacked cast should add this one legacy performer to its ranks. The new Street Fighter stars Jason Momoa alongside a plethora of other exciting stars, including Noah Centineo, 50 Cent, and Andrew Koji, among many other great actors in some iconic video game roles.

The film will adapt the stories of the video games, and looks to center around the two main protagonists, Ryu and Ken. Following the failure of Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-li, this focus makes sense. Directed by Bad Trip’s Kitao Sakurai, the new film is currently without a release date, but could be released as early as next year.

Street Fighter has produced some good movies and shows, but the franchise still needs a definitive cinematic adaptation. Still, any film in the series will owe a debt to the 1994 movie. Bringing in one of the important legacy stars from that film could help to make this new movie feel even more vital.

Jean-Claude Van Damme Should Have A Role In The Street Fighter Reboot

Establishing A Connection To The Original Film Would Make Sense

Jean-Claude Van Damme starred as Guile in the 1996 Street Fighter, and it would make sense if he was brought back for a role in the upcoming film. With casting for Street Fighter continuing until it begins filming in August, there is still time for Van Damme to be added to the cast, even in a smaller role.

Granted, Van Damme’s role of Guile has already been filled in the new film. Cody Rhodes will play the blonde-haired air force pilot. However, there are plenty of other characters from throughout Street Fighter‘s extensive history that could make sense for the Kickboxer star to portray.

Whether a disposable cameo in some match, or as a character from the games, Van Damme having a small part in the new Street Fighter would be a great way to pay tribute to the original. He might make an effective Gouken in the film, as the original trainer of both Ken and Ryu, which could add to the theme of him pᴀssing on the torch to a new generation.

It’d be a fun way to acknowledge the original film, as well as to pay tribute to some of Van Damme’s best movies. While the actor has less of a role on the worldwide stage these days, he was a major part of action cinema in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bringing him in for a role in Street Fighter would make too much sense to miss.