Street fighter & mortal kombat: rivalry heats up at the game awards
The simmering feud between the upcoming Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat 2 films escalated following a playful jab at The Game Awards 2025. Andrew Schulz, known for his role as Dan Hibiki in the Street Fighter movie, ignited the controversy by jokingly dismissing the Mortal Kombat 2 cast. Now, Lewis Tan, the lead in Mortal Kombat 2, is responding, adding fuel to the already blazing fire.
Tan defends mortal kombat after schulz's comments
During his appearance on The Brandon Davis Show, Tan addressed Schulz's remarks, acknowledging the rivalry but with a confident smirk. “Andrew Schulz is the last person who should be talking s* on that stage,” Tan quipped, adding, “Obviously not a fighter. Not even really an actor. Well, yeah, we heard.” The exchange highlights a growing tension between the two film adaptations of iconic fighting game franchises.
The initial spark came when Schulz took the stage with Jason Momoa, Noah Centineo, and Cody Rhodes to playfully mock the Mortal Kombat 2 cast. “We’re not the only game that appreciates your patronage. There’s another game out there. They also flew from around the world to be here because they appreciate you, so give it up for the whole cast of Mortal Kombat 2,” Schulz announced before revealing the bit. The stunt drew mixed reactions, with some finding it amusing and others viewing it as unnecessarily provocative.
Tan wasn’t shy about acknowledging the competition. “I mean, yeah. Let’s go, bro,” he said with a chuckle when asked directly about the rivalry. He also emphasized the passionate fanbase of Mortal Kombat. “Mortal Kombat fans don’t mess about. Street Fighter is dope. I played that game, too, but Mortal Kombat fans don’t mess about.”
Todd Garner, the producer of Mortal Kombat 2, downplayed Schulz's comments, stating, “I don’t climb over others to get ahead.” He expressed hope that both films would achieve success. Tan echoed this sentiment, praising the trailer for Mortal Kombat 2's tone. The release dates are set: Mortal Kombat 2 arrives on May 8, 2026, followed by Street Fighter on October 16.
The clash isn't just about egos; it's a reflection of the deep-seated loyalty fans have for these franchises. This isn't a friendly competition; it's a fight for dominance in the cinematic adaptation space, and the fans will be the ultimate judges.