Callina Liang’s ‘Street Fighter’ Press Looks Keep Impressing
Chun-Li has been kicking her way through gaming history since ‘Street Fighter II’ in 1991, and fans have strong feelings about who gets to play her on screen. That pressure fell on Callina Liang, a Canadian actress who was relatively unknown to mainstream audiences when she was cast in June 2025.
Some fans called the choice unexpected at first, but Liang’s Chun-Li has drawn especially strong reactions since then, and her ‘Street Fighter’ press looks are a big part of why. The promotional campaign has been one of the busiest of the season, with trailers, arcade booths, fashion collaborations and cast photocalls.
Liang has been one of its most visible faces. She appeared at a Los Angeles press event beside a full display of Chun-Li’s signature blue costume and brought the hype to the ‘Street Fighter’ booth at ComplexCon. She also shared Instagram photos of a red satin gown on a balcony, set against stone buildings and a bright blue sky.
Now another set of photos is making the rounds. Cinethology shared new images of Liang for the ‘Street Fighter’ press, one showing her in a black top with buckled side detail against sheer curtains, and another in a powder-blue lace-trimmed set. The post pulled in thousands of likes within hours.
The glamorous styling is a deliberate contrast to the gritty Chun-Li seen on screen. Behind-the-scenes photos from the set showed Liang in the character’s blue qipao-style costume, spiked wristbands and signature hair buns, with the outfit torn and dirty and bruising makeup suggesting a rough fight. Seeing both versions side by side shows the range she has brought to the campaign.
Callina Liang stuns for ‘STREET FIGHTER’ press. 📷 https://t.co/QoWv8MByfb
— Cinethology (@thecinethology) October 19, 2026
That physical side of the role was demanding. Liang reportedly trained for 2 hours a day across Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Wushu, focusing on leg strength and following a bulking diet. By the end of production, each of her thighs had reportedly grown by 6.5 centimeters. She also downloaded the ‘Street Fighter’ games onto a PlayStation 5 and studied slow-motion footage of Chun-Li’s attacks to help reproduce her movements in the fight choreography.
The press push has been building toward a payoff. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, ‘Street Fighter’ opened in theaters on October 16 and won its weekend with $31 million in North America and $51.1 million worldwide. It’s the first release under Legendary’s distribution deal with Paramount, and Legendary and Capcom co-financed it for $82 million.
The numbers come with caveats. The opening landed on the lower end of expectations, with a $70 million worldwide debut reportedly hoped for, and audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore. Even so, the film still managed to take the top spot, and people close to the project reportedly expect it to be fine once ancillary revenue is counted.
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
The story itself is set in 1993, with Chun-Li recruiting estranged fighters Ryu and Ken, played by Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo, for the next World Warrior Tournament. The cast also features Jason Momoa as Blanka, Cody Rhodes as Guile, and Roman Reigns as Akuma, all caught up in a conspiracy behind the battle royale.
For Liang, the combination of a high-profile lead role and a press tour full of memorable looks has turned her into one of the breakout names of the year. Whether the film builds on its opening or fades quickly, her Chun-Li has already made a lasting impression on fans.
What has impressed you most about Callina Liang’s ‘Street Fighter’ era?
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