Street Fighter: Legend Of Chun Li Not To Feature Ryu or Ken

The second attempt at making a decent version of Capcom’s fighting game for the big screen is well under way, with Kristen Kreuk of Smallville and Neutragena advert fame starring as Chun Li, and whilst she doesn’t look much like the gaming icon she is playing in the picture above, the makers of the film assure us that she will don the blue dress and the hair buns before the film is over.

Ryu and Ken will not feature in the film, which is quite a shock for most SF fans, as they are the main protagonists, but the film makers are trying to focus on Chun Li’s story in this film, implying a sequel or two if this new format works.

There are just way too many characters in the Street Fighter universe to cram them all into one film. We want to do each one the justice he/she deserves. So, in short, Ken and Ryu will not be appearing in this film. But, that doesn’t mean we wont see our red and white-clad heroes in potential sequels… Patrick Aiello Producer.

Aiello also went on to define how the characters would look, and why we wouldn’t see M Bison and co in their fighting attire wandering the streets:

It’d be silly to put Neal McDonough’s Bison in a bright red suit and captain’s hat with a pair of humongous shoulder pads. It works great in the video game, but in real life, it just wouldn’t look intimidating. The same can be said for Balrog. He’s an enforcer. A killer. A take-no-shit brawler to the core. And so, how scary would he be on screen if he beat people up with boxing gloves and a pair of blue short-shorts?

All that said, do not worry. We haven’t turned a blind eye on the game we all know and love. At some point, Chun Li will sport her trademark buns (the ones in her HAIR!) and of course, Vega’s still got the mask and claw, for starters.

Regarding the tone, I’m pleased to say we are certainly not going for camp or cheese or any kind of laughs. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the making of this film, and, you’re gonna see a lot of those ON film as well.

Hopefully this adaptation will do better than the awful first attempt and spawn a whole range of sequels based on this most special of gaming franchises.