To cite the band Queen: “Is that this the true life? Is that this simply fantasy?” I solely ask as a result of not solely am I extraordinarily optimistic for the following Mortal Kombat film, however after seeing the current casting for Legendary’s upcoming Road Fighter movie, I’m additionally extraordinarily enthusiastic for that film as nicely!
And like, how did this occur? I imply, sure, I do have a tender spot for the ‘90s Road Fighter and Mortal Kombat films, however I’m additionally completely okay with calling them “unhealthy” (I imply, so-bad-they’re good, certain, however nonetheless “unhealthy”). So, to suppose that I’d get a very good Mortal Kombat film, AND a very good Road Fighter film within the not-too-distant future? Nicely, like I mentioned earlier than, it simply doesn’t appear actual.
However, whereas Mortal Kombat 2 has already screened (and apparently knocked it out of the park), we solely actually have some of the forged confirmed for this upcoming Road Fighter movie. Be that as it might, I nonetheless have extraordinarily excessive hopes, and I believe that this may lastly be the time after they get it proper with regards to a Road Fighter film. Right here’s why.
First Off, They Are Placing Dan Hibiki In This Film, Which Means They’re Going For The Deep Cuts
Look, after I initially heard that Ryu (Andrew Koji), Ken (Noah Centineo), Chun-Li (Callina Liang), Blanka (Jason Momoa), Vega (Orville Peck), Balrog (50 Cent), and Akuma (Roman Reigns) have been all going to be on this movie, I assumed, okay, that’s cool. I imply, all of it factors to the film that includes a number of of the collection mainstays, and it offers it a Road Fighter II vibe, which is sensible since that’s the most well-liked recreation within the long-running collection.
Nonetheless, when information dropped that the comic, Andrew Schulz, could be portraying the pink gi-wearing Dan Hibiki, my curiosity degree did a Shoryuken! As a result of although we now have quite a lot of legendary (pun not supposed) characters from the franchise already included, the truth that Dan has already been forged once we nonetheless don’t have anyone taking part in M. Bison, Zangief, or Sagat but simply tells me that the tone for this film goes to be very attention-grabbing.
It additionally tells me that the film goes to be pulling from a number of durations of the franchise, which is one thing that I actually needed to see with this film. You see, Dan first debuted within the Alpha collection (which makes it even clearer to me that Sagat will in all probability be on this movie, given Dan’s historical past with the character).
However, I love that Dan goes to be on this film. Whereas he isn’t fairly the “deepest reduce,” as most followers of the collection are acquainted with the joke character, the truth that they’re placing him within the movie (and that they bought such a gifted comic to play him), actually makes me really feel like every character is truthful recreation now.
Like, might we probably get extra lesser-known characters (to most of the people, anyway), like Sean, Makoto, or Juri? Hell, might we get Closing Struggle characters like Man, Cody, or Poison? Truthfully, I by no means would have thought it attainable earlier than, however now that Dan has been forged on this movie, the sky actually is the restrict.
Not All Of The Actors Are Tremendous Megastars (But), Which I Hope Means They’re Trying To Solid Who They Assume Is Greatest For The Roles
Right here’s another excuse why I’m tremendous longing for this film now. Up to now, the most important star is Jason Momoa, and he’s going to be taking part in Blanka of all characters. Blanka! (Although, I don’t know why I am so shocked on condition that he’s additionally going to be taking part in Lobo).
Except for him, the second most notable particular person on this movie is the wrestler, Roman Reigns, who shall be taking part in Akuma (which I’ll talk about quickly). That mentioned, the remainder of the forged (to this point, anyway) consists of up-and-comers like Noah Centineo and actors who’ve but to achieve the celebrity as a few of the different talked about forged members. However, that simply makes me even extra assured on this movie.
As a result of I extremely doubt that Akuma goes to be the primary character on this film. He is likely to be the primary villain, certain, however I’m nearly constructive that he gained’t be the protagonist. That may seemingly be both Ryu or Chun-Li, who’re being performed by Andrew Koji and Callina Liang, respectively.
Koji might be most identified for his position as Ah Sahm from the Cinemax collection, Warrior. If not there, then in all probability as Storm Shadow from the G.I. Joe film, Snake Eyes. He actually could be an superior Ryu, and I’m pleased that any person like him was picked for the position fairly than some mega celeb.
Callina Liang is one other attention-grabbing selection. Up to now, the Steven Soderbergh film, Presence, is likely to be the primary time folks have seen her. Both that, or because the lead position in Dangerous Genius, each of which got here out in 2024. That mentioned, the truth that she was chosen simply makes me suppose that the powers that be really feel she is the only option to play Chun-Li, and if that is the case, I’m overjoyed that they could possibly be seeking to forged individuals who match the components, fairly than simply going for the large names. Be that as it might…
Akuma Was One Of The First Confirmed Characters For This Film, Which Could Imply He’ll Play An Necessary Function In The Story
I’m going to be sincere with you. Once I first heard that Roman Reigns was going to be taking part in Akuma, I type of cringed.
I’ll be the primary to confess that I’m not the most important fan of Reigns as a wrestler, and I actually had a tough time making an attempt to examine him as the nice demon. That mentioned, what I did like was that Akuma was one of many first characters forged within the movie, which tells me that he should be an vital character within the story.
And, have you learnt how pleased this made me? Up to now, we now have gotten two live-action Road Fighter films, they usually each function M. Bison as the primary antagonist. I imply, this film might, too (Shadaloo seemingly performs an element on condition that we have already got Vega and Balrog within the forged), however the truth that Akuma was forged so early (and with Roman Reigns, no much less!) leads me to consider that he’ll play a pivotal position within the story.
For many who do not know, Akuma has a historical past with Ryu and Ken, and he is continually making an attempt to get Ryu to embrace his evil facet (often known as the Satsui no Hado within the story), which creates an exquisite inside battle for the collection protagonist.
May this be the path that the film is heading in? I do not know, however with Akuma within the story, it is actually attainable!
Lastly, There Are Already Two Stay-Motion Road Fighter Films, So They Ought to Know By Now What NOT To Do
I as soon as wrote an article on one of the best online game films. And, have you learnt what films DIDN’T make the checklist? That is proper! Neither 1994’s Road Fighter starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, nor the completely abysmal Road Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.
And look, even on the time of each of their releases, I wasn’t anticipating both of them to be one of the best online game films of all time like I am anticipating with this upcoming Elden Ring movie. No. All I merely needed out of both of them was a DECENT illustration of one among my favourite online game collection. And, whereas I’ve grown to love the 1994 movie through the years, The Legend of Chun-Li is inexcusably unhealthy, and there’s actually nothing to love about it.
So, if I’ve one ultimate purpose why I am trying ahead to this film, it is that there are already two arguably unhealthy Road Fighter films, so they need to now know what not to do.
I believe we’re already seeing that they’ve discovered their lesson by the truth that they’re specializing in key characters first (Ryu, Ken, Chun, and Akuma), and are not making Guile the primary character like within the ‘94 film, or making this some bizarre origin story that does not even embrace many of the collection’ mainstays (however one way or the other options Nash, a.ok.a. Charlie).
It is for all these causes and extra that I believe they’re lastly going to get this Road Fighter film proper, whereas prior to now they’ve failed miserably.
However, what do you suppose? Do you additionally consider that that is lastly going to be the time for there to be a good Road Fighter film? I would love to listen to your ideas, fellow World Warriors!