Consideration all avid gamers and ’90s children: Your wildest desires are inching nearer and nearer to turning into a actuality … and we do imply wild. Regardless of representing probably the most well-liked and highest-grossing online game franchises presently in existence, it is honest to say that the “Avenue Fighter” property’s numerous live-action variations have been, uh, largely a miss. (Though, in fact, there are at all times defenders of titles just like the 1994 “Avenue Fighter.” The much less stated about 2009’s “Avenue Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,” nevertheless, the higher.) Nonetheless, that actually hasn’t stopped Hollywood from making an attempt, and the most recent try and deliver this franchise to life on the massive display screen comes within the type of the upcoming blockbuster starring Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, Andrew Koji as Ryu, Callina Liang because the fan-favorite Chun-Li, Jason Momoa as Blanka, and plenty of extra. The solid has spent the previous couple of months teasing the seems to be for his or her respective characters, however as we speak brings us one of many extra outrageous reveals but.
Sure, it is none apart from 50 Cent’s flip to get within the ring and present us what he is cooking up with Balrog, the African-American boxer that almost all everybody is aware of is (loosely) patterned after the boxing legend and “The Hangover” star Mike Tyson. “Avenue Fighter” is presently capturing in Australia with Japanese director Kitao Sakurai taking the reins, which suggests the ensemble has needed to be in preventing form to precisely mirror these larger-than-life characters. (Remaining trustworthy and correct to the unique — and extremely foolish — Capcom preventing video games could be very, very critical enterprise, you see.) Proper on cue, 50 Cent has taken to social media (through Yahoo Leisure) and launched a quick glimpse into his coaching for Balrog, alongside along with his quite unrecognizable new look because the boxer:
I do not anticipate you to know my degree of self-discipline however watch it, it is entertaining. Avenue Fighter Coming quickly, then Avenue Fighter ll BALROG! All Roads Result in Shreveport • https://t.co/WtNREs3AKy pic.twitter.com/FyirkQUMhV
— 50cent (@50cent) September 13, 2025
“I do not anticipate you to know my degree of self-discipline however watch it, it is entertaining. ‘Avenue Fighter’ Coming quickly, then ‘Avenue Fighter ll BALROG’! All Roads Result in Shreveport”
The Avenue Fighter film is trying appropriately ridiculous and extremely foolish … and that is a very good factor
Say what you’ll about yet one more online game adaptation banking on nostalgia, however at the least “Avenue Fighter” seems to be prefer it’s taking an enormous swing for the fences. The interactive, shoot-em-up medium appears to have made a concerted effort to return for the crown that superhero films have earned during the last a number of years, and for good cause. Reveals like “The Final of Us” and “Fallout” have garnered reputable awards love, whereas blockbusters like “A Minecraft Film,” “The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film,” the “Sonic” movies, and extra show that there are untold quantities of field workplace income simply ready to be reaped. However “Avenue Fighter” particularly appears to be taking a singular strategy that leans into the inherent silliness of the supply materials, and that is positive to be music to many a fan’s ears. Look no additional than 50 Cent’s hilarious (however earnest!) dedication to the function, remodeling himself into each inch the character that avid gamers can instantly acknowledge.
In fact, 50 Cent’s Balrog’s not the one main determine concerned on this ensemble film. The sprawling solid additionally contains the likes of WWE legend Roman Reigns as Akuma, character actor David Dastmalchian because the villainous M. Bison, Cody Rhodes as Guile, Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki, Eric André as Don Sauvage, Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim, Orville Peck as Vega, Olivier Richters as Zangief, Hirooki Goto as E. Honda, Rayna Vallandingham as Juli, Alexander Volkanovski as Joe, Kyle Mooney as Marvin, and Mel Jarnson as Cammy. If you happen to keep in mind, the movie was initially meant to be directed by the horror duo of Danny and Michael Philippou, although they departed the challenge with a purpose to give attention to their latest function “Deliver Her Again.” Irrespective of, because the manufacturing seems to be in excellent fingers as followers in all places wait on pins and needles to see how this in the end shapes up.
“Avenue Fighter” hits the streets (er, theaters) on October 16, 2026.
