Callina Liang and Rayna Vallandingham Energize the ‘Street Fighter’ Press Tour Ahead of October Release
The ‘Street Fighter’ franchise carries a significant legacy, having been adapted into live-action films twice before—first in 1994 and then in 2009 with ‘Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.’ Unfortunately, neither adaptation is regarded as the definitive version of the iconic arcade game.
With the film’s release just weeks away, Paramount and Legendary are ramping up their promotional efforts. This includes trailers, arcade-themed events, and a series of cast photocalls to generate excitement.
Recently, new images featuring two of the film’s female leads, Callina Liang and Rayna Vallandingham, have surfaced. In these press photos, Liang is seen in a stylish white crop top and dark skirt, while Vallandingham sports a gray leather corset-style top and matching pants, playfully throwing a fist towards the camera. The vibrant arcade-style mural behind them perfectly complements the film’s theme.
Callina Liang and Rayna Vallandingham for ‘STREET FIGHTER’ press. 📷 https://t.co/rSOwfSchWG
— Cinethology (@thecinethology) October 5, 2026
Liang takes on the role of Chun-Li, the franchise’s first playable female character, following in the footsteps of Ming-Na Wen and Kristin Kreuk from previous adaptations. She was cast in June 2025 alongside a star-studded lineup that includes Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, and Orville Peck.
Born on May 14, 2000, Liang previously gained recognition in Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Presence’ and starred in the remake of ‘Bad Genius.’ In ‘Street Fighter,’ she portrays the enigmatic character who recruits Ryu and Ken for the upcoming World Warrior Tournament.
Vallandingham, born on January 18, 2003, is an American martial artist turned actress. In the film, she takes on the role of Juli, an assassin linked to M. Bison’s brainwashed Dolls, remaining true to the character’s abilities from the games.
Liang has emerged as a prominent figure during the press tour. Comic Basics reported her appearance at the film’s booth at ComplexCon, while Cinethology shared additional press photos of her on October 3.
Fan reactions to the cast have been mixed since the film’s announcement. However, many viewers have praised Liang’s portrayal of Chun-Li, with some humorously stating they would watch the film just for her.
The visual pairing of Liang and Vallandingham serves as a clever strategy for the campaign, which heavily emphasizes the retro arcade aesthetic. It also showcases the film’s ensemble, which includes several actual fighters, a point that the marketing has highlighted.
PERFECT! Watch the New Trailer for Street Fighter, hitting theaters everywhere October 16. https://t.co/jAAPf1k9jf
— Street Fighter Movie (@Street_Fighter) September 1, 2026
Set in 1993, the film follows Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) as they are drawn back into battle by Chun-Li. The studio’s logline hints at a deadly conspiracy that forces them to confront each other and their past demons.
Directed by Kitao Sakurai, known for ‘Bad Trip’ and ‘The Eric André Show,’ the film features a cast that includes Jason Momoa as Blanka, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, Cody Rhodes as Guile, Roman Reigns as Akuma, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as Balrog, and Mel Jarnson as Cammy.
On October 2, Paramount released a trailer titled “The Love of Street Fighter,” showcasing cast members discussing the franchise alongside behind-the-scenes footage. An earlier interactive trailer allowed fans to engage with an arcade-style interface, and SlashFilm noted that audiences largely praised the first trailer for its entertaining approach.
This film marks the first release under Legendary’s distribution deal with Paramount, having originally moved away from Sony. It was initially scheduled for March 20, 2026, before landing on the new date of October 16.
The opening weekend will serve as a crucial test for the partnership and will determine if audiences are ready to embrace the franchise for a successful big-screen comeback after years of underwhelming adaptations.
Currently, the buzz surrounding the film is strong, and the promotional images are effectively generating interest. Whether this translates into box office success will be revealed when the tournament kicks off on October 16.
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