Bold takeaway: TheStreet Fighter vs. Mortal Kombat rivalry just kicked into overload at The Game Awards 2025, with playful jabs, surprise cameos, and a hint that both franchises are heading for a major clash on screen next year.
One of the biggest moments at The Game Awards 2025 wasn’t just Street Fighter’s debut trailer, but the on-stage appearance of its star-studded cast. Jason Momoa as Blanka, Cody Rhodes as Guile, and Roman Reigns as Akuma joined the hype for Street Fighter’s 2025 adaptation.
The moment that energized fans loudest, though, came from comedian Andrew Schulz, who plays Dan Hibiki in the Street Fighter film. He cheekily targeted the Mortal Kombat 2 cast with a joke that sparked online chatter: he began by praising both games’ fan support before quipping that the MK2 cast hadn’t shown up—then pivoted to declare, in a wink to fans, that Street Fighter cares about money and you, while implying the MK2 crew does not. The crowd’s reaction was electric, and social media exploded with reactions from MK and Street Fighter fans alike.
Fighting-game personalities and fans reacted in real time. UnCAGEDgamez, a well-known streamer, proclaimed, “They just started a war… Oh it’s on!” While some Mortal Kombat fans doubted Street Fighter’s ability to top MK’s legacy, others helped stoke the rivalry with playful barbs like “Hadoukens fired!”
Todd Garner, producer of the Mortal Kombat 2 movie, weighed in with his own take. He initially tweeted, “I don’t climb over others to get ahead,” suggesting a defensive stance in the feud. He later offered a more diplomatic note, expressing genuine hope that both films will be huge, while keeping his earlier message visible.
This playful feud taps into the historic Street Fighter vs. Mortal Kombat rivalry that has amused and divided fans since the 1990s. Remarkably, both franchises are releasing films within five months of each other next year: Mortal Kombat 2 opens on May 8, followed by Street Fighter on October 16. The timing feels almost ceremonial—a full-circle moment for a feud that has long simmered in fan culture.
Many readers have mused about a collaborative pay-off, such as a Mortal Kombat vs. Street Fighter crossover game. NetherRealm’s Ed Boon has long flirted with the idea and even pursued it, though negotiations with Capcom previously stalled. With both film franchises entering theaters close together, renewed talks about a crossover could finally become plausible.
As for Schulz’s joke, it remains lighthearted banter. He’s playing Dan Hibiki in the upcoming film, a role built for humor and over-the-top antics. It’s a reminder that this whole exchange is entertainment first—and a tease of the friendly competition to come.
Wesley Yin-Poole is IGN’s Director of News. You can follow him on social media or reach him via their provided contact channels.
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