Jason Momoa in Talks to Play Blanka in Street Fighter Remake: Inside the Franchise’s Ambitious Reboot

Jason Momoa may soon trade Atlantis for the Brazilian jungle. The Aquaman and Minecraft Movie star is in early talks to portray Blanka, the iconic green-skinned, electricity-wielding fighter from Capcom’s Street Fighter franchise, in an upcoming live-action reboot. The news, first revealed by entertainment journalist Borys Kit via X, has already ignited a firestorm of fan speculation.

Blanka, who debuted in Street Fighter II (1991), is one of the franchise’s most recognizable characters — a feral warrior raised in the Amazon after a plane crash, known for his primal fighting style and electric attacks. In the infamously misfired 1994 Street Fighter film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Blanka was awkwardly merged with another character, Charlie, and portrayed by Robert Mammone. This remake offers a long-overdue opportunity to redeem the character on screen.

Joining Momoa in early talks are Bullet Train’s Andrew Koji as Ryu, Black Adam’s Noah Centineo as Ken, and WWE star Roman Reigns, reportedly considered for the role of Akuma. While studio reps have declined to confirm casting, the lineup signals an effort to blend martial arts authenticity, mainstream charisma, and blockbuster muscle.

The project, backed by Legendary Entertainment in collaboration with Capcom, has been in development since Legendary acquired the exclusive film and TV rights in April 2023. Though a logo debuted in May 2024, the production suffered a setback in March 2025 when it was quietly pulled from its original March 2026 release schedule. Still, recent casting discussions suggest momentum is returning.

Directing duties fall to Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip, Twisted Metal), known for mixing surreal comedy with genre-savvy storytelling. The screenplay is being penned by Dalan Musson (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), who brings a modern action sensibility. Sakurai took over from Australian horror duo Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me), who exited in early development.

Plot details remain closely guarded, but with Capcom heavily involved, fans can expect a faithful adaptation centered around global martial arts battles and character-driven rivalries. For Momoa, the role of Blanka aligns with his larger-than-life physicality and his growing presence in video game adaptations — most recently in the blockbuster Minecraft Movie, which grossed over $930 million worldwide. He’s also set to star in Chief of War, premiering on Apple TV+ in August 2025.

If finalized, Momoa’s casting could mark a major turning point for Street Fighter‘s big-screen legacy, which has struggled since its 1994 outing. With high-profile actors circling key roles and a proven creative team in place, Legendary appears poised to deliver a version of Street Fighter that finally does justice to the beloved franchise.

As of May 31, 2025, all eyes remain on official casting announcements and production updates. But one thing is clear: with Jason Momoa possibly leading the charge, Street Fighter could be gearing up for its biggest comeback yet.