Noah Centineo is trading his rom-com roots for a Hadouken, and he's in it for the long game. The actor, recently honored as a Star of Tomorrow at CinemaCon, pulled back the curtain on the highly anticipated Street Fighter film, revealing not only a commitment to authentic, game-inspired action but also confirmed that producers have a franchise roadmap ready to roll.
Training for the Tournament
Centineo, who plays Ken Masters, emphasized that authenticity was paramount. He, alongside co-stars Andrew Koji (Ryu) and Callina Liang (Chun-Li), endured a brutal six-week training camp before filming a single frame. Under the guidance of renowned stunt coordinator Jon Valera, each actor's fight style was meticulously crafted to mirror their video game counterpart's signature moves.
"We wanted to stay true to the real characters, their different fighting styles, and their special moves," Centineo explained. His own training blended Shotokan karate with Muay Thai kickboxing and boxing, while Koji and Liang trained in other distinct disciplines. The result, as seen in early footage, is a faithful recreation of classic techniques like the Psycho Crusher and tornado kicks.
Building a Fighting Universe
When asked if this was envisioned as a standalone film, Centineo was clear: the goal is a franchise. "They definitely want to do as many as they can," he said of the studios behind the project, Legendary and Paramount. He teased that the film's ending solidifies the core team in a way that begs for more adventures. "It leaves you in a place where I went, 'Oh, that's a group of people that I want to see again and again and again.'" This strategy mirrors other studios building out long-term worlds, like the expanding global sci-fi franchise for Netflix's 'The Eternaut'.
More on the Horizon: Rambo and Gundam
The Street Fighter news wasn't the only project Centineo discussed. He also shed light on his transformation into a young John Rambo for an upcoming prequel film directed by Jalmari Helander (Sisu). He cited an emotional scene from First Blood as his "North Star" for the performance, showcasing a dramatic shift into iconic action roles. Furthermore, he confirmed he is currently filming the live-action Gundam movie for Netflix alongside Sydney Sweeney.
Centineo's packed slate signals a major career pivot, positioning him at the forefront of several potential action franchises. His journey reflects a broader trend of actors anchoring multiple major properties, similar to how Chris Pratt has built an action franchise empire at Prime Video.
The new Street Fighter, directed by Kitao Sakurai, is set in 1993 and features a star-studded cast including Jason Momoa as Blanka and David Dastmalchian as M. Bison. It will be released in IMAX, promising to bring the arcade experience to life with a level of physical dedication and long-term vision that will surely excite fans of the legendary game series.
