Street fighter, mortal kombat feud escalates: tan fires back at schulz
The playful jab at The Game Awards 2025 has morphed into a full-blown verbal sparring match, with Lewis Tan, star of Mortal Kombat 2, responding directly to Andrew Schulz’s impromptu onstage critique. Schulz, portraying Dan Hibiki in the Street Fighter film, injected a dose of playful animosity into the awards show, but Tan’s reaction suggests the rivalry might be escalating beyond good-natured ribbing.
The origins of the gamer grumble
During his appearance alongside Jason Momoa and other Street Fighter cast members, Schulz playfully suggested that Mortal Kombat 2’s success was due to patronage, and that the Mortal Kombat crew only cared about money. It was a calculated moment designed to elicit a reaction, and it certainly did. But the response from Tan, speaking on The Brandon Davis Show, has added a new layer of intensity to the burgeoning rivalry.
Tan, clearly amused by Schulz’s comments, didn't hold back. “Andrew Schulz is the last person who should be talking s* on that stage,” he stated, adding a pointed observation about Schulz’s acting experience. He acknowledged the existing camaraderie within the Mortal Kombat 2 cast, highlighting friendships with actors like Rayna Vallandingham and Andrew Koji. But the barbs were clearly aimed at Schulz.
While Mortal Kombat 2 producer Todd Garner opted for a more measured response – stating that he doesn't “climb over others to get ahead” and hoping both films will be successful – Tan’s willingness to engage directly signals a more spirited competition. He even conceded, with a chuckle, that “yeah, there’s a rivalry,” before expressing a fondness for a good contest.
Tan’s analysis echoed a pragmatic assessment, stating, “Numbers don’t lie. Mortal Kombat fans don’t play around with that.” He conceded that Street Fighter is “dope” but emphasized the intensity of the Mortal Kombat fanbase, suggesting that box office performance will ultimately settle the score. The Street Fighter film arrives October 16, 2026, after Mortal Kombat 2’s May 8, 2026, release.
The current exchange, while entertaining for fans, serves as a reminder of the heightened stakes surrounding video game adaptations. Both films represent significant investments, and the competition for audience attention is fierce. Whether this playful antagonism translates into a genuine box office battle remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stage is set for a clash of titans.