In the weeks following the viral trailer for the upcoming Street Fighter movie, gamers and cinephiles alike still have yet to figure out why Scorpion and Sub-Zero, the franchise’s most iconic fighters, have yet to be revealed.  After doing hours of research, contacting my industry sources, and scouring the 2-minute and 53-second trailer for any clues, I have come to a conclusion on why these franchise icons have been left on the bench, and the conspiracy goes deeper than you think. 

Hollywood’s recent obsession with converting video game IP into television and film has put them in a delicate situation. These games have been around for decades and their fanbases are hyper-aware of the characters and lore that make up these beloved pieces of media. Paramount, the distributor of the Street Fighter film, has clearly taken that into consideration during their marketing rollout. They hope shelving universally loved fighters like Goro and Johnny Cage will make their reveals more iconic. But this is only part of the story. 

A reliable source has told me that the real reason for these characters’ absence goes all the way to the top. Apparently, David Ellison got so absolutely annihilated playing Street Fighter back in the 90s that he forced the creative team to wipe certain characters from the film completely. Stemming from his childhood trauma, Ellison is the sole reason we won’t get to see a legendary fight between Ryu and Scorpion. If this doesn’t make you turn against the usually fair and level-headed Hollywood elites, I don’t know what will. 

If that wasn’t bad enough, reports are coming out that hint towards even more quintessential Street Fighter iconography being axed. Renowned voice lines like “Finish Him,” and “Fatality” will also be absent from the final cut of the film, also stemming from repressed memories from Ellison’s childhood. 

Outraged fans seem to be in agreement; lacking the basic, fundamental building blocks that make up a Street Fighter movie is the last straw. Boycotts are being called and petitions are being signed demanding that, at the very least, Scorpion and Sub-Zero can make a brief cameo.