Cody Rhodes has been hard at work preparing to step into the boots of one of gaming’s most iconic figures, the stoic U.S. Air Force pilot Guile, for the highly anticipated Street Fighter movie reboot. As the release date draws closer, the multi-time champion has opened up about the unexpected ways in which his career as a proficient professional wrestler has heavily informed and shaped his big-screen portrayal of the legendary world warrior.
In a recent question-and-answer session held to promote the upcoming feature film, Rhodes shared that his lifelong affinity for the Street Fighter franchise dates back to his childhood. He recalled the exact moment his fandom began upon acquiring the top-selling, immensely popular Street Fighter II for his home Nintendo console as a kid. Reflecting on those early memories with a touch of humor, Rhodes noted that he loved playing the game passionately, adding that he was shockingly much better at mastering the arcade classic as a child than he is as a full-grown adult male today.
Despite his self-deprecating remarks about his modern gaming skills, Rhodes has certainly been no slouch in his own arena. Over the course of his storied career, he has captured the WWE Championship multiple times, cementing his status as one of the premier athletes in sports entertainment and earning his place as a playable character across many of the pro wrestling promotion’s own premier video game offerings. Yet, despite his numerous accolades inside the squared circle, landing the opportunity to step directly into the beloved Street Fighter universe as Guile stands out as one of the proudest moments of his professional life thus far.
During the promotional event, the grappler elaborated on some of the key inspirations and creative choices behind bringing the decorated military pilot to life for the big screen. Much of the creative process involved striking a balance between honoring the source material and grounding the character in a believable reality. Rhodes revealed that he sought advice from a close personal friend currently serving in the United States Air Force to ensure authenticity in his performance. He asked specific questions regarding military life, ranging from proper posture and physical demeanor to authentic phrasing that service members might actually use. However, out of all the tangible elements discussed, Rhodes noted that the aspect he personally connected with the most on a visual and emotional level was the signature set of dog tags. Furthermore, Rhodes detailed how spending years performing within the larger-than-life, high-energy atmosphere of the WWE Universe provided him with an invaluable foundation for nailing Guile’s distinctive presentation.
How WWE Training Prepared Cody Rhodes to Play Guile in ‘Street Fighter’
Transitioning from the physical demands of professional wrestling to the intricate choreography of a major Hollywood production might seem like a daunting leap to some, but for Rhodes, the two worlds share a surprising amount of crossover. Speaking candidly about the crossover appeal of his athletic background, Rhodes explained that being a wrestler and coming onto the set of Street Fighter informed his approach to the character in ways that casual observers might not initially expect.
The physical conditioning required to perform night after night in front of thousands of live fans translates directly to the rigorous demands of cinematic stunt work. Rhodes pointed out that his wrestling background allows him to handle complex wirework with ease, enabling him to successfully pull off high-flying maneuvers like Guile’s signature Flash Kick and land cleanly. Furthermore, the fundamental ability to throw and receive theatrical strikes safely means that the transition to movie fight choreography felt completely natural. Rhodes expressed immense gratitude for the production’s wonderful stunt team, whose collaborative efforts helped bring the character’s famous combat style to life.
Beyond the physical stunts and athletic maneuvers, Rhodes emphasized that there is a very specific kind of presence required to portray a character like Guile effectively. He noted that this commanding aura reminds him a great deal of all the truly great professional wrestlers he has shared locker rooms and rings with throughout his career—individuals who possess a natural gravity that ensures all heads instantly turn the moment they walk into a room.
Balancing a demanding, full-time schedule as a top star in the WWE while simultaneously filming a major big-budget motion picture required a massive personal and professional investment from Rhodes. Despite the grueling logistics of managing two vastly different entertainment worlds concurrently, the wrestling icon was extraordinarily eager to make it happen. Describing the seamless and demanding transition, Rhodes remarked that he essentially jumped right from his day job as a professional wrestler directly into his new day job as Guile. In his mind, maintaining absolute fidelity to the source material is paramount, ensuring that what moviegoers ultimately see on the silver screen genuinely reflects the iconic characters fans grew up playing in the arcades and living rooms of decades past.
Fortunately, navigating this demanding dual life was made significantly easier by the creative environment fostered on set. Rhodes had a remarkably positive experience working alongside the rest of the star-studded cast, which features prominent entertainment figures such as Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and comedian Andrew Schulz. Reflecting on the camaraderie among the ensemble, Rhodes confessed that he had rarely, if ever, felt such an immediate and profound sense of synergy with a group of people he had barely known prior to production.
He attributed this instant chemistry directly to the fact that his co-stars are established leaders and innovators within their respective industries, whether that encompasses the worlds of hip-hop music, stand-up comedy, professional wrestling, or powerhouse acting. Rhodes expressed his belief that the production crew and studio executives quickly realized they had captured something truly special—metaphorically catching lightning in a bottle by assembling such a diverse and driven group of talent.
Street Fighter is scheduled to arrive in theaters nationwide on October 16, 2026. Fans looking to follow Cody Rhodes’ ongoing journey inside and outside the ring can find updates on his official Instagram account.
