Achieving the iconic physique of Chun-Li for Legendary's upcoming Street Fighter movie involved an unexpected detail for the stunt double: butt pads. Director Kitao Sakurai shared this anecdote during a media event, explaining that the pads were necessary to authentically replicate the muscular lower body developed by actress Callina Liang.
Liang underwent an intensive training regimen to embody Chun-Li, which included a martial arts routine and significant dietary changes. Her legs reportedly grew by 6.5 centimeters due to rigorous squat exercises. This dramatic physical transformation meant that Liang’s stunt double needed assistance to match her altered silhouette for action sequences.
"I knew it was serious when we were filming a scene kind of later in the movie, and I saw Callina’s stunt double, and I was like, ‘What are you wearing?’ And there were like these butt pads that she had to wear just to match Callina’s physique," Sakurai stated.
Actor Noah Centineo, who portrays Ken Masters in the film, humorously added that the male cast members also wore similar padding out of solidarity. Liang herself acknowledged the intense physical commitment, noting that by the end of the shoot, her thighs had grown considerably.
Liang's preparation also involved a deep dive into the character and the game franchise. She reportedly practiced Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Wushu for two hours daily, adjusted her diet to consume a dozen eggs a day while bulking, and studied Chun-Li's moves by watching all available Street Fighter game versions on her PlayStation 5. The Street Fighter movie is scheduled for release on October 16, 2026.