The upcoming Street Fighter movie is incorporating numerous references to the long-running fighting game series, with one particularly obscure Easter egg hidden in plain sight. Fighting game personality Justin Wong, who makes a cameo appearance in the film alongside Michael "IFC Yipes" Mendoza, sports a subtle detail on his character's neck: the number 37. This marking is a direct nod to the iconic "Evo Moment 37," widely regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in fighting game history.
In a behind-the-scenes video, Wong discussed his time on set, including the process of getting ready for his cameo. The fake "37" tattoo on his character is a reference to the 2004 Evolution Championship Series (Evo) tournament. During the finals, Wong, playing as Chun-Li, was down to a sliver of health and cornered by Daigo Umehara's Ken Masters. Wong then executed a series of precise parries against over a dozen of Umehara's attacks before launching a successful counter-offensive, securing a victory that has since become legendary within the fighting game community and garnered millions of views.
The film's commitment to authenticity extends beyond this hidden detail. Marketing materials and early looks at the movie indicate a focus on replicating the distinct visual style of the Capcom games, evident in character costumes, special move depictions, and even exaggerated hairstyles. Chun-Li actress Callina Liang reportedly trained extensively to achieve the character's signature muscular thighs and memorized her fighting techniques. On the audio front, composers Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson, known for their work on "Cobra Kai," have incorporated classic video game music into the film's score, including a new rendition of Guile's theme. The Street Fighter movie is scheduled to be released on October 16.