Callina Liang Stuns on the 'Street Fighter' Press Tour as Chun-Li

Taking on a character with more than three decades of fan expectations is a daunting job. Taking her on in a live-action movie adds another layer of pressure, especially when two earlier film versions left fans disappointed. For Callina Liang, the answer has been to show up fully prepared, in front of the cameras and on the carpet.

Liang plays Chun-Li in Paramount and Legendary’s new ‘Street Fighter’, directed by Kitao Sakurai. The Canadian actress was relatively unknown to mainstream audiences when she was cast in June 2025, though she had earned breakout attention for Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Presence’. Her earlier credits include ‘Tell Me Everything’ and the 2024 ‘Bad Genius’ remake.

Now, as the film arrives in theaters, her press tour has become a story of its own. She has turned heads at every stop, and the latest round of press photos shows her in a fitted black top and a blue cutout dress. The looks are a deliberate contrast to the bruised, battle-worn version of Chun-Li seen on screen.

Callina Liang stuns for ‘STREET FIGHTER’ press. 📷 https://t.co/QoWv8MByfb
— Cinethology (@thecinethology) October 19, 2026

Liang’s appearances have covered a lot of ground. She walked the official red carpet and fan event in Mexico City on October 8, appeared at the ‘Street Fighter’ booth at ComplexCon, and attended a Los Angeles press event where she posed beside a full display of Chun-Li’s signature blue costume. The film’s premiere took place at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on October 12.

Red has been a recurring color, including a striking red satin gown in balcony photos she shared from the press rounds. Between the trailers, arcade booths, fashion collaborations and cast photocalls, the campaign has been one of the busiest of the season. Liang has become one of its most visible faces.

Callina Liang at the LA premiere of ‘Street Fighter’ ✨ https://t.co/aza4YTsEfh
— Complex (@Complex) October 13, 2026

Behind the glamour is a punishing preparation. Liang has said she trained two hours a day in Taekwondo, Muay Thai and wushu, with extra leg strength work and a demanding bulking diet. She also downloaded the ‘Street Fighter’ games onto a PlayStation 5, recorded Chun-Li’s attacks in slow motion and studied the footage to reproduce her movements in the fight choreography.

Her behind-the-scenes photos have shown the cost. In one, she poses in the blue qipao-style costume with spiked wristbands and signature hair buns, her outfit torn and covered in dirt, with bruising and blood makeup visible. For Chun-Li’s famous spinning bird kick, a former Cirque du Soleil performer reportedly helped with harnesses and rigs.

Callina Liang behind the scenes of ‘STREET FIGHTER’ 📷 https://t.co/Ou0o3MsNx7
— Complex (@Complex) October 16, 2026

Liang leads an unusual ensemble. The film, set in 1993, follows estranged fighters Ryu and Ken, played by Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo, who are recruited by Chun-Li for the next World Warrior Tournament. The cast also includes Jason Momoa as Blanka, Roman Reigns as Akuma, Cody Rhodes as Guile, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison and 50 Cent as Balrog.

Orville Peck, Andrew Schulz, Eric André, Vidyut Jammwal and Olivier Richters round out the lineup. Fan reaction to the casting was mixed when it was announced, but many viewers have since praised Liang’s look as Chun-Li. She now joins Ming-Na Wen and Kristin Kreuk in a short list of actresses to play the character on film.

The film itself has had a rockier reception than its star. ‘Street Fighter’ debuted with a 28% score on Rotten Tomatoes from its first 25 reviews, though it has since climbed to around 45%, with a 45 on Metacritic. Audiences have been kinder, with an 81% audience score.

Critics have singled out the anime-style flashbacks animated by Titmouse as the film’s best moments, while some complained that it drifts away from the tournament to juggle its huge cast. The franchise has a tough history on that front, as the 1994 film sits at 20% and 2009’s ‘Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li’ at just 3%. Tracking before release suggested an opening between $22 million and $35 million, against a reported $82 million budget.

PERFECT! Watch the New Trailer for Street Fighter, hitting theaters everywhere October 16. https://t.co/jAAPf1k9jf
— Street Fighter Movie (@Street_Fighter) September 1, 2026

For Liang, the mixed reviews haven’t dimmed the attention. Her press tour has kept her at the center of the conversation, and many fans have joked they’d see the movie just for her Chun-Li. That kind of goodwill matters for a franchise that needs momentum.

Whether the film becomes a cult favorite or follows its predecessors will depend on word of mouth. Either way, Liang has made the most of her moment, balancing high fashion with the grit of the role.