Callina Liang Shines at the ‘Street Fighter’ Red Carpet Premiere Ahead of Release

Laura Bais
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Every video game adaptation has a pivotal moment, and for ‘Street Fighter’, it may hinge on one character. Chun-Li stands as one of the most iconic fighters in gaming history, and the actress portraying her carries immense fan expectations. This week, Callina Liang stepped into the spotlight as the film made its debut on the red carpet.

Paramount hosted the Los Angeles premiere on Monday, October 12, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Liang attended alongside co-stars Noah Centineo and Andrew Koji, striking poses in a cream, embellished two-piece outfit while Centineo donned a black leather jacket and jeans, and Koji opted for a dark suit. The trio posed in front of the film’s vibrant blue-and-orange backdrop, featuring Capcom and Legendary branding.

This premiere marks the final countdown before the movie hits theaters on October 16. Liang takes on the role of Chun-Li, the enigmatic fighter who ignites the entire storyline. As the central figure in the film’s plot, she was one of the standout faces of the evening.

Set in 1993, the same year ‘Street Fighter II‘ dominated arcades globally, the story follows estranged fighters Ryu, portrayed by Koji, and Ken Masters, played by Centineo, who are drawn back into battle when Chun-Li recruits them for the upcoming World Warrior Tournament. The official synopsis describes it as a fierce clash of fists, fate, and fury, with a deadly conspiracy lurking behind the battle royale.

This makes Chun-Li the driving force. Without her, the two old rivals would not confront each other and the ghosts of their past. This pivotal role places Liang in nearly every significant scene.

Liang was cast in June 2025, alongside Centineo, Koji, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, and Orville Peck. To prepare for her role as Chun-Li, she trained rigorously in martial arts, including taekwondo and Muay Thai. In a franchise centered on kicks and combos, authenticity in the fight sequences was paramount.

Her costume has also garnered attention. The outfits worn by Liang, Koji, and Centineo as Chun-Li, Ryu, and Ken were showcased at the Tokyo Game Show earlier this year, highlighting the close collaboration between the production and Capcom to resonate with the franchise’s dedicated fans.

Beyond the three leads, the cast resembles a crossover event. Momoa portrays Blanka, 50 Cent plays Balrog, and Reigns takes on Akuma, while David Dastmalchian plays M. Bison and Cody Rhodes is Guile. Eric André introduces a new character, Don Sauvage, and Andrew Schulz plays Dan Hibiki.

The ensemble also features Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim, Orville Peck as Vega, and Olivier Richters as Zangief. Mel Jarnson, Hirooki Goto, Alexander Volkanovski, and Rayna Vallandingham complete a cast that blends actors, comedians, and professional fighters, many of whom joined Liang at the premiere.

Directed by Kitao Sakurai, known for ‘Bad Trip’ and ‘The Eric Andre Show’, the film was shot for IMAX, partly in Australia, and is the first release under Legendary’s new distribution deal with Paramount. Rated PG-13, the film runs for approximately 2 hours.

This marks the third live-action feature based on the franchise and the first major adaptation since the 1994 film, which has become a campy cult classic despite mixed critical reception. This time, the tone is described as action-comedy, suggesting a blend of over-the-top fights and humor. Striking this balance will be crucial to winning over both gamers and general audiences.

Reactions to the cast have been mixed. Some fans have labeled the lineup as unusual, while critics have expressed concerns about whether the film can balance the playful spirit of the games with serious moments. Others are excited about the unique mix of wrestlers, rappers, and comedians, which gives the film a distinctive identity.

For Liang, the premiere represents a personal milestone. Portraying an iconic character in a major studio release, with a premiere that attracted some of the biggest names in entertainment, is a significant breakthrough. How audiences respond to her portrayal of Chun-Li will be one of the most closely monitored aspects of the film.

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