Street fighter & mortal kombat: rivalry heats up at the game awards

The simmering feud between the upcoming Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat 2 films escalated this week, with recent comments from Lewis Tan adding fuel to the fire. The conflict, initially ignited by Street Fighter actor Andrew Schulz at The Game Awards 2025, has now drawn a response from the star of the latest Mortal Kombat installment.

Tan dismisses schulz's stage jab

Schulz, known for his comedic takes on gaming culture, took to the stage during the awards show to jokingly diss the Mortal Kombat 2 cast, claiming they were only interested in money. The stunt, which quickly became a talking point, prompted a swift reaction from Tan, who appeared on The Brandon Davis Show to address the controversy.

“Andrew Schulz is the last person who should be talking s* on that stage,” Tan stated, adding with a grin, “Obviously not a fighter. Not even really an actor. Well, yeah, we heard it.” While Tan acknowledged the rivalry, he seemed unfazed by Schulz’s remarks, stating, “I love a good rivalry.”

Mortal Kombat 2 producer Todd Garner initially downplayed the situation, stating, “I don’t climb over others to get ahead,” and expressing hope for the success of both films. Tan echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the quality of the Street Fighter trailer but emphasizing the passionate fanbase of Mortal Kombat. “Mortal Kombat fans don’t mess about,” he asserted.

Mortal Kombat 2 is slated for release on May 8, 2026, followed by Street Fighter on October 16. The contrasting release dates set the stage for a direct competition for audience attention and box office dominance. The tension between the two franchises, now amplified by these public exchanges, is a clear signal of the battle ahead.