'Street Fighter' Director Kitao Sakurai Talks Ending, Sequel Setup

Key Points:

• Kitao Sakurai, known for his early acting role as a Stygian Triplet in Kevin Smith’s Dogma, transitioned to filmmaking, developing a unique offbeat sensibility showcased in projects like The Eric Andre Show and the film Street Fighter.
• Sakurai’s collaboration with Eric André began in the mid-2000s, leading to the creation of The Eric Andre Show, which overcame initial network rejections to become a successful Adult Swim series with over 60 episodes and an Emmy win.
• His feature films include the experimental Aardvark (2010) and the hidden-camera comedy Bad Trip, which faced a troubled release due to the pandemic but found a receptive audience on Netflix in 2021.
• Sakurai directed the recent Street Fighter movie, emphasizing a gonzo, absurdist tone aligned with the franchise’s spirit, focusing on the brotherhood between Ken and Ryu, and incorporating 1990s-style hand-drawn anime flashbacks as a stylistic choice.
• The film includes cameos by the original directors Danny and Michael Philippou, highlighting a collaborative spirit, and features Jason Momoa as Blanka, with potential for sequels depending on the film’s reception.