It was just over 20 years ago that Capcom released the first game in the Street Fighter series — so how better to celebrate than a report in Variety detailing plans for the new Street Fighter film adaptation?
Yes, film fans, it’s true: No amount of time spent in development (or utter moviegoer apathy) can kill Capcom’s desire to bring its popular videogame back to the screen, and to that end, Variety reports that Andrzej Bartkowiak has been signed to direct. The article refers to him as an “action specialist,” and that’s pretty accurate — his previous directorial credits include Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, and Cradle 2 the Grave.
The script? It’s being given a “polish” by Justin Marks, who wrote the original draft. If Marks’ name sounds familiar to you, it’s probably because we’ve recently discussed his work on the forthcoming Voltron movie, as well as his involvement in the Super Max and He-Man projects. Variety describes the story as being “focused on female fighter Chun Li and her journey for justice.”
The first Street Fighter movie, released in 1994, rode the combined star power of Jean-Claude Van Damme, Raul Julia, and Kylie Minogue to a $33 million gross and late-night cable infamy. Simply by virtue of inflation, the new adaptation — which is being produced by Capcom in conjunction with Hyde Park and distributed by Fox — seems almost certain to earn more.
The article doesn’t provide any casting details, but who needs ’em? Our fellow Vineketeers can come up with a great cast right here in the comments. Let’s hear it, RT faithful — who do you think should star in a Street Fighter for the new millennium?
Source: Variety
