The recent film adaptation of Street Fighter, which has become the number one movie in North America, has drawn attention for its unconventional, comedic tone. Director Kitao Sakurai has clarified that this approach was intentional and aligned with the studio's vision, stating that a darker, more grounded interpretation akin to "Batman Begins" was never on the table.
Sakurai told The Hollywood Reporter that Legendary, the studio behind the film, sought a "gonzo energy" and "absurdity" that reflected his previous work on shows like The Eric Andre Show and the film Bad Trip. He believes that pitching a serious, gritty version of Street Fighter would have prevented him from getting the directing job.
"The assignment specifically came about because of the spiritual nature of Street Fighter and the fact that it’s not gory," Sakurai explained. "There’s a silliness to it, and there’s an absurdity to the world and the characters and how they interact." He emphasized that even if elements don't always make narrative sense, they can fit within an overall energetic and engaging experience, a lesson he learned from his comedy work.
This tonal choice has led to a divergence in critical and audience reception. The film holds a 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, indicating critical disapproval, while audiences have given it a more favorable 78% on its Popcornmeter. IGN's review noted the film's "enthusiastic cast and an anarchic spirit" but also pointed out that the "adaptation struggles to focus all that energy into a well-told story."
Regarding the possibility of a sequel, Sakurai remained non-committal. While the film does include elements that leave the door open for future installments, he stated that "nothing is set in stone or any concrete plans." He did mention that "everybody in the cast had such an incredible time, so there's certainly interest in it," and that "it's something we're thinking about."