In Street Fighter, the game-to-film adaptation of the popular eponymously-named title that hits theatres globally on October 16, Canadian actor Callina Liang plays the kickass character of Chun-Li, the first female playable character in a fighting game to gain mainstream recognition. The 26-year-old, well versed in martial arts, and who has notable credits on TV and in film, chatted with t2 about being the fierce and fearless Chun-Li in Street Fighter, her physical transformation for the role and her impression of Bollywood actor Vidyut Jammwal, who makes his Hollywood debut with the film.
Also making up the stellar cast of Street Fighter is Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Cody Rhodes, David Dastmalchian, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Jason Momoa. Its plot follows Chun-Li, who recruits the fighters Ryu (Centineo) and Ken Masters (Koji) to join a martial arts tournament and confront M. Bison (Dastmalchian).
Callina, if you had to sum up your Street Fighter experience in three words, what would they be?
"Hectic"! Street Fighter the game is hectic, especially when you think about the fight training I had to do, working with all the different actors who come from different backgrounds, and also portraying a character (Chun-Li) who is so fuelled by her rage and revenge. The word “fun” also comes to mind because the games are fun, the characters are fun and they all look a lot of fun. The last would be “honour”. It is an honour for me to get the opportunity to portray such an iconic character and bring her to life. It still feels like a dream every single day.
What aspects of the preparation and the execution of Chun-Li were extremely challenging for you, which parts were creatively satisfying, and would they be synonymous with each other at some point?
They would definitely be synonymous in a lot of points. The whole thing was very challenging because I wanted to give it my all so that I would have no regrets. Physically, Chun-Li looks a very specific way, with huge muscular legs and a tiny waist. I wanted to try and get as close to that as possible, but also be realistic.
From when I found out I got the job to my first day in front of the camera, I had about two-and-a-half to three months. So it was very quick. I didn’t have a lot of time. If I had more time, I know I could have done a lot more. But I was like: “Just give it your all, have no regrets. Be realistic, be easy on yourself, but at the same time, be hard on yourself.”
There was a lot of weightlifting. Every day was leg day at the gym! A lot of stunt training, fight training... it was all kicks because all her moves are kicks. I started training straightaway. They found me a trainer in Toronto. We did two hours every day, and on top of that, I was weightlifting, which also meant that my nutrition had to keep up. If I was trying to put on so much muscle, I had to eat that much more because I was also burning more.
At the height of it, I was having 12 eggs a day, along with steak, turkey, chicken, venison... all sorts of meat. I had a meal every two hours. It was kind of uncomfortable at times, and that would be a challenge. Sometimes I would be on the verge of going to sleep and be like: “Damn, I didn’t eat enough today!” So I would just have half-a-cup of peanut butter. I managed to put on about 20 pounds in a month-and-a-half. That was physically satisfying for me, I was happy and proud of myself.
When we got to Sydney, it came down to fight training and fighting with weapons. It was satisfying to do fight scenes on the day in front of the camera with the different actors and see that I was able to do the moves, including lightning kicks. It was therapeutic.
What do you think makes Chun-Li such a pop-culture icon?
I am a gamer myself, and I grew up playing the Street Fighter game. Chun-Li is one of the first-ever playable female fighter characters in a video game. That, in itself, is pretty iconic. The creators wanted to make her strong as opposed to the focus for a lot of women in video games back then being their looks and physicality. She is the strongest woman in that world, and that is what makes her stand out. There is a badass side to her, but she is also very cute. At the end of it, she is just a girl.
Her costume is so slay and iconic. I love her costume! It stays true to Chinese culture... its a Qipao. Her moves in her costume are sick! I am not surprised that Chun-Li has the kind of influence she does.
Having grown up playing the game, what were the emotions like when you landed the part? Did it feel like the perfect full-circle moment?
Oh my gosh, yes! Even when I landed the opportunity to audition, I was like: “No way have I got the chance to even try for the character of Chun-Li!” She is one of my favourite video-game characters of all time. Street Fighter is one of the earliest games I played. It was the one that got me into playing other fighting games.
Being a part of this film still feels like a dream. It feels like I am screaming in a park... it feels surreal!
India’s Vidyut Jammwal plays a significant character, Dhalsim, in the film. What were your interactions like?
I love him so much! We have become good friends. I was blown away by his dedication to his craft. We were filming on a cliff, it was the scene where I invite him (Dhalsim) to the tournament. I remember seeing muscles on his body that I didn’t even know existed! (Laughs) I was like: “Damn, this guy is dedicated!” He told me he trained every day. He is also someone who doesn’t like eating too much. He was like: “I eat because I have to, but I don’t really enjoy it that much!” And I was like: “I cant relate to that!” I was busy eating my hot dog, my pies and stuff at that time! I told him that maybe I should take a leaf out of his book.
He was so great on set. He was always so calm. There was a lot going on and we would all be stressed, but he was very calm. There would always be a smile on his face and he was such a joy to be around.
I told him once that I loved the sweatpants he was wearing. He told me he bought them from India, and I said: “Oh, I wish I could buy them”. And then when we met again for the Video Game Awards, he gifted the same pair of sweatpants to me that he had brought all the way from India! I love him... he is the best!
Have you watched any Indian films?
I can’t say I have. But I really should!
Maybe start with some of Vidyut’s?
Exactly, I think I should! I watch more of Korean drama and Chinese, a lot of anime. I am a huge fan of anime. But I have to watch some Bollywood films! I have seen some trailers. You all do crazy stuff! The production looks insane!
My favourite Street Fighter character is... Tell t2@abp.in