Legendary’s announcement to adapt Capcom’s popular Street Fighter series for film and television was met with excitement by fans. However, the news that directors Danny and Michael Philippou would no longer be helming the project came as a surprise. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the brothers’ departure was due to Legendary and Capcom’s decision to fast-track production, a timeline that the Philippous were unable to accommodate.
Unforeseen Circumstances
The Philippous had already committed to their next film, “Bring Her Back,” with A24, starring Sally Hawkins and Billy Barratt. With production scheduled to start soon, the directors were unable to juggle both projects simultaneously. This shift leaves the Street Fighter adaptation in limbo, as the script’s progress and casting decisions hang in the balance.
Since its inception in 1987, Street Fighter has become a cultural phenomenon, with Street Fighter II solidifying its place in gaming history in 1991. The franchise has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, with Street Fighter 6 being the most recent installment. Despite the success in the gaming world, the transition to the big screen has been challenging.
The Street Fighter franchise has had two previous live-action adaptations, both met with mixed reviews. The 1994 film featured Jean-Claude Van Damme, Ming-Na Wen, Kylie Minogue, and Raul Julia in prominent roles. Although the movie had a commercial success, critical reception was lukewarm. In 2009, a reboot titled “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” starring Kristin Kreuk failed to resonate with audiences, resulting in a box office disappointment.
The production of the Street Fighter movie has faced setbacks with the departure of the Philippou brothers as directors. With Legendary now searching for a replacement director, the future of the adaptation remains uncertain. Despite the franchise’s popularity in the gaming world, translating its success to the big screen has proven to be a challenging task. Only time will tell if the Street Fighter movie will overcome its production hurdles and deliver an adaptation worthy of its devoted fan base.
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