Legendary’s Street Fighter Movie Faces Indefinite Delay as Sony Pulls 2026 Release Date

Legendary’s anticipated adaptation of the iconic Capcom fighting series, Street Fighter, has encountered yet another stumbling block as Sony Pictures withdraws the film from its previously announced release window.

The decision, first reported by Variety, signals an indefinite delay for the highly awaited Street Fighter movie, which had been slated for a theatrical debut on March 20, 2026. First unveiled in April 2023, the Street Fighter film drew significant attention from both moviegoers and longtime fans of Capcom's franchise, celebrated worldwide since its original arcade debut.

From the outset, the project experienced a series of hurdles that included a directorial shakeup: Danny and Michael Philippou, initially attached to helm the adaptation, departed the production due to conflicting schedules with their A24 film, Bring Her Back. Despite these early challenges, Sony Pictures underlined its faith in the cabal of Legendary and Capcom, securing a March 2026 release date in June 2024.

Momentum for the adaptation briefly resurfaced in February 2025, when acclaimed filmmaker Kitao Sakurai—known for his work on The Eric Andre Show and Bad Trip—was tapped to take over directing duties.

This development injected fresh optimism into the project and suggested production was progressing toward its target. However, recent developments have dampened expectations.

According to Variety’s coverage, Sony Pictures has removed the Street Fighter movie from its release slate entirely, leaving the project’s timing in limbo.

No substitute release date has been issued, and further details surrounding the cast, writers, and storyline remain undisclosed at this time. The franchise’s journey to the big screen is not uncharted territory.

Street Fighter previously received a Hollywood adaptation in 1994, featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Colonel Guile, Raul Julia as the villainous dictator M.

Bison, and Kylie Minogue.

That film focused on a global cast of fighters uniting to stop Bison’s ambitions, achieving cult status among gaming enthusiasts despite its mixed critical reception. Capcom’s Street Fighter remains a landmark in the video game industry, lauded for both its competitive gameplay and enduring popularity across multiple platforms, including legacy hardware and Nintendo Switch via eShop releases and digital collections.

The movie’s indefinite delay is a reminder of the complexities involved in translating beloved gaming properties to the silver screen, especially with the high expectations set by fans and stakeholders alike. As Legendary, Capcom, and Sony Pictures regroup, industry watchers and Street Fighter fans will be keeping a close eye on updates regarding the film’s cast, plot, and prospective new release schedule.

Capcom Sony Street Fighter Sony Pictures Legendary Variety Hollywood Reporter Kitao Sakurai Jean-Claude Van Damme Raul Julia Kylie Minogue