Hip-hop mogul turned Hollywood heavyweight 50 Cent is stepping into the ring—literally—for his next major role. The rapper-actor shared a behind-the-scenes training video this week, offering fans their first look at his physical transformation for the highly anticipated Street Fighter live-action film.
As reported earlier by The Hollywood Reporter, 50 Cent will portray Balrog, the disgraced boxer-turned-enforcer who made his debut in Street Fighter II. Modeled after the ferocity and swagger of Mike Tyson, Balrog is a fan-favorite character whose brute strength and intimidating presence make him one of the franchise’s most iconic villains.
Introducing Balrog
In his latest Instagram post, 50 gave fans a taste of what to expect, not only showing off Balrog’s gritty costume but also teasing his fighting spirit with a trademark caption:
“Work hard when they hardly working, and they will be surprised at the outcome. I hit a [ninja emoji] he gonna see a white light and hear Jesus say come to me child. LOL Street Fighter coming soon”.
This isn’t 50’s first step into serious acting—far from it. Since captivating audiences as Kanan Stark in Power and overseeing the sprawling “Power Universe,” he has consistently proven his dedication to character work. Over the past two decades, his resume has expanded with both TV and film projects, solidifying his status as a multi-hyphenate entertainer who takes each role with the same relentless work ethic that made him a rap icon.
Take A Look At The Talent
The Street Fighter reboot has already generated buzz for its star-studded cast. Alongside 50 Cent’s Balrog, the lineup includes Jason Momoa, Orville Peck, Noah Centineo, WWE stars Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, and martial arts talent Andrew Koji and Callina Liang, who will step into the roles of Ryu and Chun-Li.
With Legendary Entertainment backing the project since acquiring the film and TV rights in 2023, anticipation is sky-high. A 2026 release is on the horizon, giving fans plenty of time to speculate on how the ensemble cast and fresh direction will reimagine one of gaming’s most beloved franchises. For now, 50 Cent is training like a fighter with something to prove. And when Balrog hits the screen, audiences can expect a knockout performance that blends hip-hop grit with cinematic muscle.
