The upcoming live-action movie adaptation of the popular video game Street Fighter has 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’s Street 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 originally slated to direct Street Fighter, but they dropped out in June 2024 due to scheduling conflicts.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Kitao Sakurai will now direct Street Fighter, taking over from the Philippou brothers. Sakurai, whose previous directing credits include The Eric Andre Show, Twisted Metal, and Bad Trip, is working alongside Capcom, the developer and publisher that created the fighting game, and Legendary Entertainment, which will produce Street Fighter. Legendary Entertainment is the company behind hits such as Batman Begins and Dune.

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 film in the Street Fighter universe and 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 1994 Street Fighter film, 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.

The plot of Street Fighter (2026) has yet to be revealed, but it can be ᴀssumed that the film will be rife with flashy hand-to-hand combat just like the video game. Sakurai has the opportunity to elevate the Street Fighter universe through directing this new installment. Danny and Michael Philippou’s exit was a setback for the project, but Sakurai’s hiring indicates Street Fighter is 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 on The Eric Andre Show and his 2021 Netflix film Bad 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 to Street Fighter, balancing the video game adaptation’s hardcore fighting with more lighthearted and campy moments.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter