Portraying the legendary Chun-Li in the upcoming Street Fighter movie demanded significant physical transformation from actress Callina Liang. To achieve the character's signature powerful physique, particularly her strong legs, Liang underwent an intense training regimen focusing on martial arts and diet. She incorporated multiple kicking-focused disciplines into her routine, including Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Wushu (Kung Fu), dedicating two hours daily to these practices.
"Chun-Li is all kicks. So we did a bunch of Taekwondo training, Muay Thai, and Wushu (Kung Fu)," Liang stated in an interview. "I did two hours of that a day and strengthened my legs a lot and changed my diet drastically."
Complementing the physical training, Liang adopted a high-protein diet designed for muscle gain. This involved consuming a substantial amount of protein, including a daily intake of a dozen eggs. "When I was bulking, I ate 12 eggs a day. Every two hours, I had to have a meal, and I was on the verge of throwing up," she recalled. The demanding program yielded results, with Liang reporting that her thighs had increased in size by six-and-a-half centimeters each by the end of the filming.
Training the thighs, a muscle group known for high endurance, requires significant systemic fatigue and precise, demanding exercises for growth. Chun-Li has long been a fan-favorite in the Street Fighter universe, consistently depicted with powerful legs capable of overpowering larger opponents, a characteristic notably showcased in animated depictions like the Street Fighter 2 anime movie.
Beyond the physical demands, Liang also prepared mentally by studying Chun-Li's moves. She downloaded multiple Street Fighter games onto her PlayStation 5, recorded gameplay, and reviewed it in slow motion to analyze the character's fighting style.
Other cast members have also embraced their roles. Cody Rhodes, a WWE performer, adopted a Guile-inspired persona during a SummerSlam match, while Noah Centineo, who plays Ken Masters, has indicated that the film will feature numerous Easter eggs for fans.