Vidyut Jammwal lands major Hollywood debut as Dhalsim in 'Street Fighter' live-action reboot

Actor and martial artist Vidyut Jammwal is stepping into the ring, both literally and figuratively, as he joins the cast of the upcoming live-action reboot of Street Fighter, produced by Legendary Pictures and Capcom. This marks not just his Hollywood debut but also one of the most significant castings of an Indian in a global franchise.

First released in arcades in 1987 and immortalised with its sequel in 1991, Capcom’s Street Fighter has become one of the biggest names in gaming history and has left a huge impact on combat mechanics and pop culture. Its roster of international fighters, each adopting unique styles and backgrounds, made it more than a simple fighting game for gamers; it became a global cultural awakening.

Over time, the lore has inspired comics, anime, and multiple live-action adaptations, all attempting to capture the essence of the game. In another bold attempt at a reboot with a more global cast, Legendary Pictures has been assembling a striking line-up for its upcoming live-action remake. Jammwal is one of the latest names announced. He will play Dhalsim, one of the game’s most enigmatic and culturally significant characters.

The meditative, fire-breathing yoga master, first introduced in Street Fighter II (1991), has long been one of the series’ most distinctive and misunderstood characters. Dhalsim is a pacifist who enters the arena for his village, only having noble intentions in his heart. He also chooses not to hurt his opponents more than necessary. Although initially portrayed as a cultural caricature, the movie might offer a more grounded look at the monk.

Jammwal brings not just his acting prowess but also years of training in martial arts. He has been trained in the art of Kalaripayattu since childhood and is also an avid practitioner of Kung Fu, Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts (MMA). He also conducts his own action choreography and stunts in countless movies without stuntmen and harnesses, such as Commando and the Khuda Haafiz franchise.

Aside from Jammwal, this movie also hosts a star-studded ensemble cast, such as Andrew Koji (Bullet Train, Snake Eyes), Noah Centineo (The Recruit, Black Adam), Callina Liang (Bad Genius, Tell Me Everything), David Dastmalchian (Suicide Squad, Dune), rapper Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson (Den of Thieves, Power), wrestler Roman Reigns (Hobbs and Shaw), comedian Andrew Schulz (Tires, The Thicket) and Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones, Aquaman). Street Fighter will be directed by Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip). Plot details are not yet revealed. 

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