Wrestling Star Hirooki Goto Brings E. Honda to Life in Street Fighter Adaptation
The worlds of professional wrestling and blockbuster cinema continue to collide as New Japan Pro-Wrestling standout Hirooki Goto has officially been cast in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Street Fighter. Goto, a decorated veteran of the Japanese wrestling scene, will step into the role of E. Honda, one of the most iconic characters from the long-standing video game franchise.
This casting adds yet another layer of star power and wrestling credibility to the production, which has already drawn headlines for selecting WWE megastars Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes for major roles. Reigns is set to portray Akuma, a fearsome martial artist with dark powers, while Rhodes has been tapped to play Guile, a hard-nosed U.S. military fighter known for his iconic flat-top haircut and sonic boom attacks.
For Goto, the role of E. Honda seems like a natural fit. The sumo wrestler-turned-fighter has been a fixture of the Street Fighter universe since Street Fighter II hit arcades in the early 1990s. Known for his powerful strikes, iconic Hundred Hand Slap, and proud nationalistic flair, Honda is one of the franchise’s most recognizable Japanese characters. Fans may recall that he was previously brought to life on screen by Peter “Navy” Tuiasosopo in the 1994 Street Fighter film, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile.
Goto’s addition to the cast was first reported by Fightful Select, who noted that the NJPW star would be stepping away from wrestling temporarily to fulfill his role in the production. Although some had speculated that Goto’s recent absence from NJPW events and his loss of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Zack Sabre Jr. was related to an injury, no official confirmation was given. The current understanding is that Goto’s time off is primarily due to the filming schedule for the Street Fighter project.
With over two decades of experience in the ring, Goto brings a unique blend of intensity, discipline, and physicality that should serve him well on screen. He has long been recognized as one of NJPW’s most consistent and hard-hitting performers, with a résumé that includes reigns as IWGP Intercontinental Champion, IWGP Tag Team Champion, and NEVER Openweight Champion. He also held the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for 138 days, a run that helped solidify his legacy in the promotion.
While Goto may be best known for his in-ring work, this won’t be his first venture into acting. In 2016, he made a brief appearance in the Indonesian action film Headshot, and in 2020, he played a supporting role as Buga in Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time. His performance in the upcoming Street Fighter film will mark his most significant cinematic role to date.
Production on the movie is currently underway, with the film slated for release in 2026. The project is aiming to stay true to the tone and visual style of the source material, while also updating the story for a new generation of fans. With a growing roster of stars from both the wrestling and acting worlds, anticipation is building steadily.
As Goto transitions from the squared circle to the silver screen, fans of wrestling and gaming alike will be eager to see how he embodies the spirit of E. Honda. Given his passion, experience, and commitment to physical storytelling, there’s every reason to believe he will bring authenticity and charisma to the beloved sumo warrior.