Street Fighter Live-Action Movie Casts 50 Cent as Balrog: Capcom's Iconic Boxer Returns to the Silver Screen

Capcom’s beloved Street Fighter franchise is once again set to leap from arcades and consoles to the big screen, as Legendary Pictures and Capcom collaborate on a new live-action adaptation.

This upcoming film has cemented a noteworthy addition to its cast: Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has confirmed he will portray Balrog, the iconic Mike Tyson-inspired boxer, in the movie due to release on March 20, 2026. The announcement comes as Capcom remains a pivotal force in the gaming industry, with the Street Fighter series tracing its roots back to arcades and now thriving on multiple hardware platforms, including the Nintendo Switch via the eShop.

The involvement of 50 Cent, a globally recognized rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, underscores the ambitious scale of the project.

Jackson’s portrayal of Balrog—a character first introduced as one of the original four bosses in 1991’s Street Fighter II—marks a significant casting choice, connecting star power with franchise lore. In a recent statement shared through social media, Jackson not only highlighted his casting but also embraced the collaborative spirit of the project, stating, "No days off.

Let’s work—all roads lead to Shreveport," referencing the film's primary shooting location.

Major gaming and entertainment outlets, including IGN, have confirmed his participation following his self-promotion of the news. Balrog’s character has established a storied history, both within the games and previous film adaptations.

In the original 1994 live-action Street Fighter film, Grand L.

Bush portrayed Balrog alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Colonel William F.

Guile and a star-studded cast.

While Balrog has sometimes been depicted as a heroic figure—allying with the protagonists in the earlier film—he is traditionally recognized as one of M.

Bison’s most ruthless Shadaloo generals across Capcom’s games.

The upcoming adaptation’s approach to Balrog’s story remains closely guarded, reflecting Capcom and Legendary’s commitment to honoring franchise traditions while innovating for new audiences. The film’s journey to production has been marked by notable shifts.

After initial directors Danny and Michael Philippou (known for their work on "Talk to Me" and "Bring Her Back") departed the project in 2023, Kitao Sakurai—famed for "Bad Trip"—was selected to helm the project.

The cast features a combination of rising talent and established stars, including Callina Liang, Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, and Orville Peck, building anticipation for a dynamic ensemble performance. Capcom’s long-standing commitment to transposing Street Fighter to new media is well documented.

Past adaptations include "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li" (2009), the fan-favorite web series "Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist" (2014), and several acclaimed animated films from Japan.

Despite critiques of previous adaptations, the franchise has sustained its popularity, with classic installments regularly topping charts on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson brings an impressive résumé to the production, having sold over 30 million albums worldwide and established himself as an accomplished actor with credits in "Get Rich or Die Tryin'", "Escape Plan", "Spy", "Den of Thieves", and the successful television series "Power".

Jackson is no stranger to gaming, lending his likeness and voice to two separate titles—"50 Cent: Bulletproof" (2005) and "50 Cent: Blood on the Sand" (2009)—as well as participating in "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" (2009).

In a notable coincidence, he once resided in a Connecticut mansion formerly owned by Mike Tyson—the very real-world boxer who inspired Balrog’s original design. With its scheduled release on March 20, 2026, the new Street Fighter live-action movie represents Capcom and Legendary Pictures’ latest effort to introduce the franchise’s legendary characters—including Balrog, Chun-Li, and M.

Bison—to both legacy fans and a new generation of moviegoers.

As production continues, all eyes remain on how the film will interpret the iconic fighting game world for the modern era.

Capcom Street Fighter Silver Legendary Pictures 50 Cent Balrog Chun-Li Nintendo Switch Kitao Sakurai Michael Philippou Danny Philippou Callina Liang Andrew Koji Noah Centineo Jason Momoa Roman Reigns Orville Peck Shadaloo Jean-Claude Van Damme Colonel William F. Guile Grand L. Bush