Street Fighter fans have had a rough go with adaptations outside of Japanese anime; the American kids’ cartoon is painful, and the live-action movie failed to capitalize on the game franchise. Even as a kid obsessed with fighting games, too young to properly critique a film, I found the result to be a major letdown. While the new Street Fighter movie is currently in development with an unconfirmed release date, there are reasons for some early hype, even if it may not see the light of day until 2027.
Great casting choices thus far include Jason Momoa, rumored to play either Blanka or Sagat; Roman Reigns, rumored to be Akuma; fan favorite Walton Goggins, rumored to be the main antagonist, M. Bison; and Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo set to play the iconic teammates Ken and Ryu. This is the kind of semi-eccentric casting that suggests the production at least captures some essence of the game by bringing together defined, diverse personas from around the world to fight; though, it would be pure perfection if they announced Kevin Durand as Zangief.
With that said, one of the most exciting casting announcements for Street Fighter is the addition of country music star Orville Peck, whose upward career trajectory has been exciting to watch. Peck is primarily known as a musician, so here is what you need to know before he makes his debut on the big screen.
Orville Peck Has Already Established Himself as a Future Country Music Legend and Queer Icon
Not to gloss over the rich history of representation in country music, Patrick Haggerty and his band Lavender Country released the first openly gay coutnry album in 1973 (covered in the documentary These C*cksucking Tears). Haggerty, among others, laid the groundwork for future stars like Peck. Still, where Haggerty did not achieve the same commercial success, the Canadian-born country crooner has seen his music break into the mainstream in a big way.
While many of his tracks have been featured on soundtracks, his single “Dead of Night” is the most notable, appearing in Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor, Marvel’s Agatha All Along, and the critically acclaimed, generation-spanning favorite series Euphoria. Peck also released a single with Willie Nelson, “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other,” and Shania Twain in “Legends Never Die,” two fantastic collaborations which should put any doubts to rest about his future status as a country legend.
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Peck, with his signature masked face and clean cowboy aesthetic, has also become a regular feature on various television shows, notably appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race as a guest host on more than one occasion, and the alt-drag reality TV show Dragula. These TV appearances show the singer’s appeal to both the mainstream and the counter-culture. Peck’s music wonderfully embraces outsiders while still appealing to a broader audience; Chappell Roan’s appeal and fan base are similar, albeit larger in scope, due to the enduring popularity of pop music. Orville Peck is also good friends with modern-day drag icon Trixie Mattel, an underrated country musician in her own right; he appeared in her miniseries Trixie Motel.
Orville Peck has become an integral part of current queer culture, but his music has a universal appeal. Fans of country can certainly appreciate the vocal skills of Peck. His meteoric rise from indie musician to TV staple to movie star highlights his diverse talent, but it also shows the continued desire to see unique, deserved voices grow in the entertainment industry. Yes, Orville Peck is a future country music legend and current queer icon, but does that mean he has the acting chops?
‘Street Fighter’ Is Orville Peck’s Feature Debut
But It’s Not His First Time Acting
Many of Peck’s music videos have a strong narrative, including “The Curse of the Blackened Eye,” which featured fan favorite Norman Reedus, already showcasing an early interest in acting. With such an iconic voice, it made sense that Peck’s first real push into acting came via Broadway, debuting in Cabaret, stepping in for Adam Lambert as Emcee for the show’s run at the August Wilson Theater. Peck’s performance was praised by various outlets, including Billboard, which noted, “His interpretation of the role brings a far more sinister energy than the more sexually charged version of the part by his predecessor Adam Lambert, or the almost-alien portrayal by Eddie Redmayne.”
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Broadway talent does not always necessarily translate into success on the screen, but the rave reviews from fans and critics for his reinvention of a part and his strong presence are certainly promising. The sexually charged and sinister traits Billboard magazine highlighted also play into the character he is currently rumored to be playing, making it an early insight into how well suited he may be to join the Street Fighter cast.
Who Will Orville Peck Play in ‘Street Fighter,’ and What Can We Expect?
The most obvious answer to who Orville Peck will play in the upcoming Street Fighter movie is Vega, matching the poise and signature mask of the clawed fighter. However, as nothing is confirmed yet, audiences may be surprised at a later date. Peck has yet to show his face, but with his Broadway debut, he has shown more of the man behind the mask.
As far as his acting skills, and how they’ll fare in the film, that is slightly more difficult to determine. If he is cast as Vega, he may not necessarily have many lines, as Vega is notoriously not a dialogue-heavy character compared to other fighters, and is often known for being indulgent and aloof. Orville Peck may be given a character that is very one-dimensional, which may or may not work in favor of his theatrical debut. Still, as a fan of both the country crooner and the fighting game, I will be cheering on his continued success.
