Roman Reigns was seen attending a birthday celebration with the director of the upcoming Street Fighter live-action movie in Australia, confirming his involvement in this highly anticipated project. This appearance comes as fans await the release of the film set for October 16, 2026, highlighting the WWE star’s expanding presence in Hollywood.
Roman Reigns’ Recent Absence Linked to Film Commitments
Following his match against Bronson Reed at Clash in Paris, where Reigns secured a victory but was immediately attacked by Bron Breakker’s partner, Reigns has not appeared in the WWE ring. This attack resulted in The Tribal Chief being tended to by medical staff, leading to an indefinite break from wrestling. It was later revealed that this hiatus also coincides with Reigns preparing for his role as Akuma in the Street Fighter movie adaptation.
Akuma, a character first introduced in 1994 through the Super Street Fighter II Turbo game, will be portrayed by Reigns, who joins fellow WWE star Cody Rhodes, cast as Guile. With filming underway in Australia, Reigns’ interactions with the film’s staff and director Kitao Sakurai were documented on social media, including photos from a joint birthday party celebration.
Roman Reigns’ Growing Career in Hollywood
Roman Reigns’ transition into acting follows his cameo in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and he is further expanding his filmography with notable projects. Alongside Street Fighter, he will star in the Amazon MGM Studios heist comedy The Pickup, which features Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson. Additionally, Reigns appeared in the 2024 film Good Fortune with Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen, signaling a steady progression in his acting career.
Balancing Wrestling and Acting Ambitions
Roman Reigns has expressed a desire to forge a unique path that blends his WWE superstar status with his aspirations in Hollywood. During an interview on What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon, he shared his goal to become the first WWE Superstar to simultaneously lead a major film and headline a premium wrestling event. Reigns emphasized that he does not plan to abandon wrestling but intends to continue excelling in both arenas.
“I want to be the first WWE Superstar who could do both, which is to lead a movie but also main event a premium live event.” —Roman Reigns, WWE Superstar
This commitment to maintaining dual success could inspire other WWE performers following in the footsteps of stars like The Rock, John Cena, and Batista, all of whom have also transitioned between wrestling and Hollywood.
The Significance of Roman Reigns’ Hollywood Expansion
Roman Reigns’ involvement in high-profile film projects like Street Fighter and The Pickup marks a significant milestone in his career, expanding his influence beyond the wrestling ring. As production continues in Australia, fans can expect to see more of The Head of the Table on screen in the coming years. Balancing a top-tier wrestling role while embracing prominent acting opportunities highlights Reigns’ versatility and ambition, setting a precedent for WWE talent aiming to diversify their careers.
