Olivier Richters, the seven-foot-tall actor who performed Zangief within the 2026 Street Fighter movie, competed in a Street Fighter 6 event utilizing the identical character he portrayed within the movie.
The event, referred to as Chip Harm, befell in Richters’ dwelling nation of the Netherlands. Richters competed below the display identify ‘TheDutchGiant’ utilizing Fashionable controls, a simplified management scheme that’s extra approachable for newer gamers.
Having a look on the tournament bracket on Begin.gg, Richters was knocked out of the winners facet and gained two units by DQ earlier than getting defeated by a participant named ‘BlackBeard.’ No matter his outcomes, the truth that he felt impressed to begin competing as Zangief after enjoying the character in a significant Hollywood film spoke volumes to the preventing recreation neighborhood.
They weren’t free matches, both; Richters uploaded a video displaying himself competing on stream on the occasion, the place it’s clear that he has a stable understanding of his character, even taking a spherical off of his opponent — a lot to the group’s delight.
Richter’s presence on the event immediately went viral inside the FGC, with one writing on X/Twitter, “This dude was one of the best forged arms down, and has additionally turned out to be cool af! Adore it!”
“I used to be so hyped at seeing the actor enjoying the sport, I did not even discover he is on Fashionable. And I truthfully do not care! That is an actor caring concerning the supply materials, let him take pleasure in it because it’s extra handy to him!” one other wrote.
Zangief actor Olivier Richters from the Road Fighter film is definitely enjoying in event with Gief! Dude has the reads! Oh my days!!! 🔥🔥🔥😱😱😱
#StreetFighter https://t.co/9DdWeOIXAP
— Ryan Hart (@RyanJosephHart) November 8, 2026
Even legendary preventing recreation participant and commentator Ryan Hart received in on the joy, taking pictures with the actor and spreading the phrase of his involvement within the scene.
We truly received the possibility to talk with Richters on the Road Fighter film pink carpet in October, the place he instructed us that he needs to get so good at enjoying his character in tournaments that he turns into “the ultimate Zangief.”
“I’m not mendacity — I’m actually devoted to turning into among the finest Zangiefs on the market,” he instructed us. “I’m not there but, however I wish to enter a event one time as the actual Zangief enjoying Zangief. I simply met a professional Zangief participant, we spoke, and we’re gonna practice collectively. If there’s gonna be a second [movie], I wish to be the last word Zangief.”
So far, phrase of a second Road Fighter movie remains to be up within the air, however a sequel is already being written. The forged and crew are eager to make one other film collectively, and even instructed us that they’d like to film a crossover flick with the forged of the Mortal Kombat movies at some point.
Picture Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Photos for Paramount Footage
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s Information Editor. With ten years of expertise reporting on video games and leisure, she’s received a storied background within the preventing recreation neighborhood, influencer information, and viral on-line developments. Discover her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.