Roman Reigns Confirmed for 'Street Fighter' Movie + "Part-Timer" Criticism
Big news for fans of WWE Superstar Roman Reigns! After a noticeable absence from WWE television since WrestleMania 41, it's now officially confirmed that the "Tribal Chief" will be heading to Hollywood for a major film role.
Following earlier reports from Deadline and Fightful, the Hollywood Reporter has now confirmed that Roman Reigns, whose real name is Joe Anoa’i, has been cast in the upcoming Street Fighter movie adaptation. He's set to play the formidable character Akuma, joining a cast that includes Jason Momoa (previously reported) and rapper 50 Cent. The report also names martial artist-actor Andrew Koji as Ryu and Callina Liang as Chun-Li.
Kitao Sakura is slated to direct the project, with production expected to kick off in August. This filming schedule could explain Reigns' continued absence from WWE, even with rumors of a potential SummerSlam return swirling.
Roman Reigns' less frequent WWE appearances have recently drawn criticism, with some labeling him a "part-timer." However, Reigns isn't shy about defending his schedule. Earlier this year, he clapped back at these allegations, stating:
"It’s funny because a lot of people call me a part-timer. A lot of people got a lot of things to say about my schedule. I ain’t no part-timer. I’m a full-time cash cow. Every second that I’m breathing, I’m working. That’s how this whole thing works. Proof of concept. This business lives off me. Don’t ever get it confused. Every second I’m breathing, I’m working."
