Noah Centineo has transformed his physique and embraced intensive martial arts training to take on the iconic role of Ken Masters in the live-action Street Fighter reboot, currently filming in Australia for a March 2026 release, signaling a bold career shift and thrilling fans worldwide with anticipation.

Hollywood heartthrob Noah Centineo is officially stepping into the fighting ring — and he’s packing on serious muscle to do it.

The 28-year-old actor, best known for his breakout role in Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise and more recently DC’s Black Adam, has been tapped to play Ken Masters in a major live-action reboot of Street Fighter.

The film, currently shooting in Australia, is scheduled for release in March 2026 and already has fans buzzing about whether Centineo can embody one of the most iconic fighters in gaming history.

Set photos leaking online show Centineo looking almost unrecognizable, with a bulked-up frame, platinum-blond hair, and Ken’s signature red gi.

Fans on social media were quick to weigh in, with one viral post on X reading, “I can’t believe Noah Centineo is Ken… he went from rom-com cutie to full-on world warrior.

” Another user added, “If his Hadouken looks half as good as his biceps, we’re in for a treat. ”

The film is being produced by Legendary Entertainment in partnership with Capcom, the Japanese video game giant that created the Street Fighter franchise back in 1987.

While the series has been adapted to live-action before — most infamously in the 1994 Jean-Claude Van Damme-led Street Fighter — this reboot promises a more faithful take, combining the franchise’s martial arts roots with a modern, gritty tone.

Industry insiders describe it as “a mix between Creed and John Wick, but with the characters fans grew up with.”

Ken Masters, the fiery American rival and best friend of Ryu, is considered one of the pillars of the Street Fighter universe.

For Centineo, the role marks a major pivot in his career.

In a recent interview on the set in Sydney, he admitted the physical transformation was the toughest challenge of his career so far.

“I’ve been training six days a week, mostly martial arts and strength conditioning.

Ken isn’t just about muscles — he’s a disciplined fighter with a lot of heart, and I wanted to honor that,” Centineo said.

The film’s director, Steven Caple Jr.

— known for Creed II and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts — praised Centineo’s dedication, telling reporters, “Noah surprised everyone.

He came in with the charm we all know him for, but he pushed himself physically and mentally to embody Ken.

This is not just cosplay — he’s living the character.”

Rumors have also swirled about casting for the other beloved Street Fighter characters.

While the studio has confirmed that Japanese actor Mackenyu (One Piece, Rurouni Kenshin) will play Ryu, speculation continues about who will take on Chun-Li, Guile, and the villainous M.Bison. Fan campaigns online have suggested names ranging from Jessica Henwick to Henry Golding, but Legendary has remained tight-lipped.

The reboot is reportedly aiming for a balance between practical martial arts choreography and cutting-edge VFX.

Fight choreographer Jonathan Eusebio, who previously worked on John Wick and The Mandalorian, has been brought on to ensure the battles feel authentic.

One source close to production teased, “Fans should expect to see iconic moves like the Shoryuken and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku executed in ways that are both realistic and cinematic. ”

As for Centineo, he appears to be embracing his new action-hero persona.

Paparazzi spotted him last week arriving at a training facility in Gold Coast, drenched in sweat after what appeared to be a grueling sparring session.

When asked by a fan if he was nervous about taking on such a beloved role, Centineo smiled and replied simply, “Ken’s been in people’s hearts for decades.

I just hope I can do him justice.”

With a release date set for March 2026, Street Fighter is already one of the most anticipated video game adaptations in years, joining the recent wave of successful gaming-to-film projects like The Super Mario Bros.

Movie and HBO’s The Last of Us.

Whether Centineo’s Ken Masters becomes the definitive version fans have long wanted — or another controversial misstep in the history of gaming adaptations — remains to be seen.

But one thing is clear: Noah Centineo is no longer just the boy next door.

He’s a world warrior, and he’s ready for the fight.