Even away from the ring, Roman Reigns is keeping his presence felt. The Original Tribal Chief took to Twitter with the first major tease of his role as the demonic Akuma in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter film.
The short video shows Reigns striding through a dimly lit warehouse, passing by a Street Fighter II arcade cabinet frozen on a fight between Akuma and Ryu. As he moves past the camera, his eyes glow red before the screen cuts to the film’s logo and an October 2026 release date.
Reigns’ move into Hollywood places him alongside his greatest WWE rival, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who has already completed filming for his role as Guile. Produced by Legendary Pictures, the film stars Andrew Koji as Ryu, the iconic character who often clashes with Akuma—whose name translates from Japanese as “Demon” or “Devil.”
Appearing on ESPN’s First Take, Rhodes didn’t hesitate when asked about the most important feud of his career. He named Reigns and reflected on the impact of their battles. “Roman keeps me on my toes and I hope he’s around for years to come. I need a Roman Reigns,” Rhodes said, underscoring the respect at the core of their conflict.
That respect has been tested and reaffirmed over time. The two have clashed in bitter championship matches but also stood side by side, most recently teaming at the Bad Blood premium live event to defeat Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa. Their shared legacies—one cementing dominance in WWE, the other stepping into a major film role—ensure that even as their paths diverge, their stories remain tightly connected.