Cody Rhodes Set for Hollywood Breakthrough? WWE Megastar Linked to Iconic Street Fighter Hero in Shock Casting Rumor
A major crossover between wrestling and gaming could be on the horizon, as reports suggest Cody Rhodes is in talks for a huge role in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter adaptation.
According to industry chatter, Rhodes is being eyed to play Guile, one of the most recognizable heroes from the franchise. If finalized, this would mark the first time the character appears in a major live-action project since Jean-Claude Van Damme portrayed Guile in the Street Fighter movie. The character was notably absent from Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.
Originally introduced in Street Fighter II, Guile quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his military background, signature blonde flat-top haircut, and patriotic U.S. Air Force persona.
From WWE Royalty to Hollywood Spotlight
Rhodes comes from wrestling royalty. He is the son of Dusty Rhodes and brother of Dustin Rhodes. Inside WWE, he has built an elite résumé, including sharing the ring with John Cena at WrestleMania and capturing the King of the Ring crown in 2025.
While Rhodes is still relatively new to acting, he has done voice work in WWE animation projects and is also rumored to appear alongside Liam Neeson in the upcoming The Naked Gun reboot.
Stacked Cast Could Make This the Biggest Street Fighter Movie Yet
The reboot is reportedly assembling a massive ensemble. Early reports suggest David Dastmalchian could play the villain M. Bison, following roles in The Suicide Squad and Late Night with the Devil.
Other rumored casting includes:
- 50 Cent as Balrog
- Andrew Koji as Ryu
- Noah Centineo as Ken
- Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki
- Orville Peck as Vega
- Jason Momoa as Blanka
Perhaps most interesting for wrestling fans, Roman Reigns is rumored to portray Akuma — potentially reuniting him on screen with Rhodes after their legendary WWE rivalries.
Creative Team and Story Direction
The film will be directed by Kitao Sakurai, known for Bad Trip, with a script from Dalan Musson, who previously worked on Captain America: Brave New World.
While plot details remain secret, insiders expect the story to lean heavily into the tournament-style narrative popularized in the games, where fighters from around the world clash under the command of M. Bison.
Why This Adaptation Might Finally Work
Previous attempts at adapting the franchise struggled critically and commercially. However, strong performances from recent video-game adaptations have reportedly boosted confidence at Legendary Entertainment, the studio backing the project.
The new Street Fighter film is currently scheduled to hit theaters on March 20, 2026 — and if the rumored casting holds, it could easily become one of the most talked-about gaming adaptations ever.
