We've learned that former Undisputed WWE Champion Roman Reigns is being lined up to star in the new live-action Street Fighter movie. Deadline was first to break the news this week, revealing that Andrew Koji (Bullet Train), Jason Momoa (A Minecraft Movie), and Noah Centineo (Warfare) have also boarded the project.
Bad Trip's Kitao Sakurai was tapped to direct in February, but there's no word on who wrote the screenplay, what the story will be, or who is attached to produce. Legendary holds the Street Fighter film rights and is co-developing this live-action adaptation with video game developer Capcom.
Fightful Select has also chimed in, saying that Reigns, who is in early talks for the movie, will play Akuma. Also known as Gouki in Japan, Akuma debuted in 1994's Super Street Fighter II Turbo.
A master of the Ansatsuken fighting style, he embraces the Satsui no Hado, a dark energy that enhances his power. His signature moves include the Gohadoken, Goshoryuken, and Shun Goku Satsu (Raging Demon), and in the games, he's typically portrayed as Ryu's rival and Gouken's brother.
This could be a huge breakout role for Reigns in Hollywood. Last month, he talked to Vanity Fair about his big screen aspirations. "After I finish the contract that I’m in, we probably got another year or two max," Reigns told the site. "Then it’s time to take on a less physical form of entertainment."
"I almost want to model it after Tarantino, where we’re not just doing anything and everything. I want to really plot out: I want this one, I want that one," he said of how he'll approach acting roles moving forward.
We haven't seen the OTC on WWE TV since he was taken out by Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker during the RAW after WrestleMania. Looking to take his revenge on the traitorous Paul Heyman, Reigns was speared through the ringside barricade by Breakker before being hit with the Curb Stomp in the ring.
Street Fighter still appears to be in the very early stages of development, so chances are Reigns will be back in WWE before filming commences. As of now, it's unclear when he'll wrestle again; however, like last year, we'd imagine he'll be back in time for SummerSlam, one of the company's four big PLEs of the year.
Are you excited to see Reigns in Street Fighter? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the usual place.