In my other life (read: real job), I’m a film critic and as a professional film critic I have to tell you that the new Street Fighter Movie coming out sometime in 2009 will most likely suck. As bad as the first one? No, but it’ll be pretty damn bad. I say this because the casting information for the film was just released and I just want to say before you get angry at any casting choice you don’t like… just remember that they could have cast the best actors in the world to play these roles and the movie would most likely still suck.

That being said the casting doesn’t seem too terrible. Michael Clarke Duncan as Balrog seems a decent choice and while Kristen Kruek isn’t really Asian and doesn’t have monster thighs, she does have breasts so that kind of qualifies her to play Chun-Li. Look at that, Taboo, from the Black Eyed Peas is going to be playing Vega. That could be nice…oh, who am I kidding. None of this sounds very good except for Duncan being a big black guy. I guess Charlie Nash as Chris Klein works OK. At least it can’t get wor…Neal McDonough as M. Bison?! Screw you Hollywood, screw you to hell. Here I am not listening to my own advice.

Hit the jump for the press release.

STAR-STUDDED CAST ANNOUNCED FOR CAPCOM®’S LIVE-ACTION STREET FIGHTER MOVIE
2008 World-Release In Celebration of Street Fighter’s 20th Anniversary
SAN MATEO, Calif — March 19, 2008 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, is proud to confirm the main cast for its live-action Street Fighter movie based on the hugely popular video game series.

The story revolves around fan-favorite Chun-Li, who will be portrayed by actress Kristen Kreuk (of Smallville fame). Michael Clark Duncan, Neal McDonough, and Taboo of Black Eyed Peas are also on board to round out this all-star cast. The film will be made in conjunction with Hyde Park Films, and will be distributed by 20th Century Fox for a scheduled 2009 worldwide release.

The Street Fighter movie is only one of many projects Capcom has planned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Street Fighter®. Summer 2008 will see the Japanese arcade release of the much-anticipated Street Fighter® IV.

Street Fighter was first released in 1987 to critical acclaim for its innovative features. This was followed up in 1991 with the smash hit Street Fighter® II, which broke records by being available in 500 thousand arcade cabinets and selling over 25 million units on home systems. These records cemented Street Fighter’s reputation as one of the most popular fighting game series of all time and ensured that the fighting genre would become a staple of the gaming world.

The cast so far includes:
• Chun-Li: Kristin Kreuk. Plays the role of Lana Lang in the WB television series Smallville .

• Balrog: Michael Clarke Duncan. The Island (2005), Sin City (2005), Daredevil (2003), The Scorpion King (2002), Planet of the Apes (2001), See Spot Run (2001), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), The Green Mile (1999), Breakfast of Champions (1999), Armageddon (1998)

• M. Bison: Neal McDonough. The Hitcher (2007), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), The Guardian (2006), Timeline (2003), MinorityReport (2002), Band of Brothers (2001)

• Vega: Taboo. Member of popular R&B music group Black Eyed Peas and recipient of three Grammy Awards.

• Charlie Nash: Chris Klein. We Were Soldiers (2002), American Pie (1999)