Key Takeaways:
– Legendary and Capcom are jointly developing a film based on popular game Street Fighter.
– Danny and Michael Philippou, the directors of Talk to Me, have left the project.
– Scheduling conflicts have escalated due to the Philippous’ ongoing project, Bring Her Back.
– ’94 and ’09 Street Fighter films ranked well but didn’t spark a franchise.
– The Street Fighter video game series has sold 49 million units worldwide.
Street Fighter: A New Hope for the Gaming Franchise
In the world of video games, few names are as iconic as Street Fighter. Now, game developer Capcom and production company Legendary are teaming up to breathe new life into the series with a film adaptation. This revelation should excite fans, especially as the Street Fighter game has continually held its own as a pioneer in the fighting genre since the 1980s.
The Past Attempts: Hits or Misses?
Looking back at the history of Street Fighter in cinema, the 1994 film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme made waves, with Raul Julia’s memorable portrayal of M. Bison adding some cheesy fun. The next installation came in 2009 with Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, aiming for a grittier outlook. Nonetheless, neither of these titles spurred a successful movie series.
Switch of Baton: ‘Talk to Me’ Directors Bow Out
Recently, the Hollywood Reporter let the cat out of the bag, stating that the sibling directorial team of Danny and Michael Philippou known for ‘Talk to Me’ were previously attached to the new Street Fighter film. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, they had to part ways.
What’s Keeping the Philippou Brothers Busy?
The Philippou brothers are currently preoccupied with a film project titled Bring Her Back, backed by their previous studio A24. Featuring Sally Hawkins and Billy Barratt, shooting is set to commence in Australia this month. Additionally, Samantha Jennings and Kristina Ceyton of Causeway Films, who produced Talk To Me, will also serve as producers for this film. According to Deadline, the directors are also freelancing on a documentary spin-off from their personal experiences with international underground deathmatch wrestling.
If you’re scratching your head and thinking, “Talk To Me? Never watched it.” Well, here’s a quick summary: A group of friends chance upon a way to summon spirits with an embalmed hand, leading to strange and supernatural events. The film’s cast includes Sophia Wilde, Miranda Otto, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Djanji, and Zoe Terakes.
The Future of Street Fighter
While the absence of the Philippous may be a setback for the Street Fighter project, there’s still a lot of anticipation. The Street Fighter franchise flaunts impressive game unit sales of 49 million worldwide. This number alone hints at the potential success of a well-executed movie adaptation. As far as we know, Legendary and Capcom aim to kickstart production without any further delays. It’s time to keep your fingers crossed for your favorite characters to make a smashing entrance to the silver screen soon.
Stay tuned to this space for all things Street Fighter!
