Kitao Sakurai to direct new video game adaptation after "Street Fighter" success

Japanese filmmaker Kitao Sakurai, who directed the $150 million “Street Fighter” movie released this summer, is now attached to a new big‑budget video‑game adaptation after his early work on “The Eric Andre Show” helped him master absurdist comedy. The announcement came at a press conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday, where the studio confirmed Sakurai will lead the project slated for a 2027 release. The film will be produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Sakurai’s rise is unusual in an industry that often favors safe, conventional directors for video‑game movies. In the early 2010s he was a writer and segment producer on the chaotic Adult Swim series “The Eric Andre Show,” a program that turned surreal humor into a cult hit. That experience taught him how to balance over‑the‑top visuals with a clear narrative beat, a skill that studios now see as essential for translating interactive franchises to the big screen. The move comes as Hollywood doubles down on video‑game properties after recent successes like “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Mortal Kombat.” Critics have praised Sakurai for embracing the ridiculous while keeping stories grounded, a rare combination that could lift the genre out of its reputation for low‑budget flops.

Industry insiders say the new film will feature a $150 million budget, making it one of the most expensive video‑game adaptations ever. Legendary’s co‑CEO, Thomas Tull, called Sakurai “the perfect blend of reverence for source material and willingness to push visual boundaries.” The cast includes rising action star John Cho and veteran voice actor Tara Strong, both signed on after meeting Sakurai at a Comic‑Con panel. Early test screenings have reportedly generated strong laughs and high excitement, with audiences noting the film’s willingness to lean into the franchise’s most outlandish moves.

The project will begin principal photography in early 2025, with a planned summer 2027 theatrical release. If Sakurai’s blend of humor and spectacle lands with audiences, it could reshape expectations for video‑game movies and encourage studios to take more creative risks. For fans of “Street Fighter” and the broader gaming community, the film promises a fresh take that respects the games’ legacy while inviting new viewers into its wild world.