The world of Street Fighter is no stranger to the silver screen, though its cinematic journey has been a rocky one. Decades after the beloved Capcom game first spawned adaptations, a new film is poised to hit theaters, and its director, Kitao Sakurai, has confirmed that a follow-up is already being discussed and developed.

Speaking to MovieWeb, Sakurai revealed that a sequel is more than just a fleeting thought. "It's something we're thinking about and developing. We clearly have a lot of ideas, and we're writing," he stated. However, he quickly tempered expectations, emphasizing that nothing is set in stone. The green light for a second round will depend heavily on the reception of the upcoming film and whether audiences connect with its vision of the iconic martial arts world.

This new Street Fighter movie features Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, and Callina Liang as Chun-Li, as they navigate the 1993 World Warrior Tournament. It's a significant undertaking for Paramount and Legendary, who have assembled an impressive cast including Jason Momoa as Blanka, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, and Roman Reigns as Akuma.

Historically, Street Fighter films have had a mixed track record. The 1994 animated feature, Street Fighter II, the film, was a hit in Japan and remains an animation classic. The same year, however, saw the live-action adaptation starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile and Kylie Minogue as Cammy. While critically panned and often deemed unfaithful to the games, it managed to gross $99 million worldwide against a $35 million budget, eventually achieving cult status as a guilty pleasure. Fast forward to 2009, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li struggled immensely, earning a meager $12.8 million globally.

The box office prospects for the new film are currently a cause for concern. According to The Quorum, early tracking indicates that audience awareness and interest have declined in recent weeks in the United States, with opening weekend estimates ranging from a modest $20 million to $35 million. These figures aren't exactly a knockout blow for Paramount and Legendary's investment.

Despite the historical challenges and current projections, there's a glimmer of hope for Capcom's cinematic endeavors. The recent Resident Evil film, directed by Zach Cregger, significantly surpassed box office expectations, demonstrating that audiences are still willing to turn out for well-executed video game adaptations. If the new Street Fighter can similarly defy the odds, a sequel could indeed move forward, potentially introducing fan-favorite characters like Sagat, who has been conspicuously absent from the current film's promotional campaign.

Filmgoers will soon render their verdict, as Street Fighter is set to premiere in French cinemas on October 14th.