Actress Callina Liang built 6.5 centimetres of muscle on each thigh to play Chun-Li in the upcoming Street Fighter feature film.
Speaking to Empire magazine about her physical preparation for the role, Liang explained that she altered her daily regime to match the character's iconic look. Her training schedule included two hours of daily martial arts practice, focusing on taekwondo and wushu, alongside a radical change in her nutrition. To gain the required muscle mass, Liang ate 12 eggs every day and consumed meals every two hours, noting that the frequent eating sometimes left her feeling nauseous.
Liang, who previously starred in the horror movie Presence, said the intensive physical preparation was necessary because Chun-Li's fighting style is centered on kick attacks. In the original arcade games, Chun-Li is famous for her muscular legs, which stand out significantly among the roster of fighters. Liang said the rigorous training and eating schedule paid off, adding 6.5 centimetres of muscle to each thigh by the end of filming.
Street Fighter Story and Background
Street Fighter is based on the long-running video game franchise created by Japanese developer Capcom. First launched in arcades in 1987, the series became a cornerstone of fighting game history, with Chun-Li debuting in 1991 as one of gaming's earliest female action heroes.
The new movie sets its plot in 1993, following traditional martial artists Ryu and Ken as they meet a mysterious Chinese fighter named Chun-Li. She invites them to take part in a global fighting tournament. However, the contest proves to be a cover story, forcing the participants to battle one another for survival.
Ensemble Cast and Release Date
The production features a diverse cast alongside Liang. Rapper and actor 50 Cent plays the power boxer Balrog, Aquaman star Jason Momoa appears as the green-skinned fighter Blanka, character actor David Dastmalchian takes on the main villain M. Bison, and comedian Andrew Schulz portrays Dan Hibiki.
Street Fighter is scheduled for a global theatrical release on October 16.
