Why Chun-Li From Street Fighter (2026) Looks So Familiar

For the first time in nearly 20 years, a new "Street Fighter" movie is in theaters. Hailing from Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures, the latest adaptation of the beloved Capcom fighting game series features a star-studded cast. Many members of the cast undoubtedly will be familiar to viewers as it's a stacked, A-list ensemble. For instance: Blanca from "Street Fighter" looks so familiar because it's none other than former "Aquaman" star Jason Momoa. 

But what about Chun-Li? Arguably the most recognizable character from the game, the actress behind her certainly makes an impression. The actress in question is Callina Liang, who is certainly among the most talked-about performers in the movie. She's not the first person to play this character, as Ming-Na Wen portrayed her in the 1994 movie, while "Smallville" star Kristin Kreuk played her in "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li." 

But now, it's Liang's turn to put her stamp on the much-beloved fighter.

Callina Liang hasn't been acting for a terribly long time, but she's in the midst of a breakout moment right now. That is in no small part thanks to her very high-profile role in "Street Fighter" but she's been building an impressive resume over the last handful of years.

The actress got her first major role in the British TV show "Tell Me Everything" in 2022 as Mei. The following year, she appeared as Young Rue Corintha in an episode of Apple TV's "Foundation," which is one of the most acclaimed sci-fi shows in recent memory. "Foundation" gave a science fiction classic bold new life, so even though her part was small, it likely sticks out to fans.

Horror fans will recognize Liang as Chloe from "Presence." Director Steven Soderbergh's "Presence" took POV horror to new heights with a terrific ghost story, one that put Liang front-and-center as the movie's lead. The fact that she managed to elevate an inventive piece of cinema from one of our best living directors alongside accomplished actors like Lucy Liu speaks a lot. It was Liang's big, "Who is that?" moment.

Her only other credit up to this point was 2024's "Bad Genius," a crime drama from director J.C. Lee that saw her in yet another lead role. While her list of credits isn't terribly long right now, rest assured, in the aftermath of her role as Chun-Li, she'll undoubtedly have much more to do in the near future.

"Street Fighter" is in theaters now.