WWE icon Roman Reigns is preparing to bring iconic fighting game villain Akuma to life in the live-action Street Fighter movie, scheduled for theatrical release next month.
Physical Demands & Isometric Work
Speaking to Men’s Health about taking on the Legendary Master of the Satsui no Hado, Reigns discussed how his physical preparation differed from his standard WWE regimen:
“I got lucky because Akuma…his physique is kind of bodybuilderesque. He’s a big brother, so he’s very muscular. That helped me out, to kind of stay in my regimen. But when you add in the martial arts, the fighting disciplines…you have to be able to have your legs in a sumo squat, but then you can pop up on your toes and also hit a unique pose with your arms. There’s so much isometric work in that. There’s so much to that body control, almost like a ballerina type of work. And the footwork was pretty extensive.”
Drawing Parallels Between Pro Wrestling & Martial Arts
Reigns also reflected on how his background in professional wrestling smoothed his transition into performing complex film stunts alongside fellow wrestling stars Cody Rhodes and Yota Tsuji:
“There were a lot of parallels for me to be able to transition. I mean, they’re obviously different things you’re asked to perform, within wrestling and within martial arts. But the physical disciplines are a bit adjacent to each other, where it wasn’t as big of a gap for me to figure out. The fact I’m in professional wrestling helped, but [martial arts] is still its own rite. It really makes you go back and look at all of the great martial artists: Jason Statham, Chuck Norris…all these guys who were able to do all these stunts and movies and have it be so good.”
With the long-awaited adaptation landing on the big screen next month, fans will soon see how the former Tribal Chief translates his ring presence into Capcom’s legendary martial arts master.
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