"I Don't Step on Others to Succeed" — Mortal Kombat 2 Producer Responds to Street Fighter Cast's Jabs at The Game Awards 2025
The Game Awards 2025 was full of surprises, but nothing quite matched the excitement of the premiere trailer for the upcoming Street Fighter movie. Fans were thrilled to see the entire cast on stage, including notable actors like Jason Momoa as Blanka, Cody Rhodes portraying Guile, and Roman Reigns taking on the role of Akuma. Their presence was meant to build anticipation for next year’s Street Fighter adaptation.
One of the standout moments of the event—at least for those of us who are devoted fans of both Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat—was delivered by comedian Andrew Schulz, who plays Dan Hibiki in the film. He took a playful jab at the Mortal Kombat 2 cast that certainly caught the attention of fans across social media.
Schulz began with a light-hearted comment: "We’re not the only game that appreciates your support," he remarked, building up the audience's excitement. "There’s another game out there, and they also made the long journey to be here because they value you. So let’s hear it for the entire cast of Mortal Kombat 2!"
As the crowd cheered, expecting the Mortal Kombat 2 cast to make an appearance, Schulz revealed the punchline: "Just kidding! They didn’t come. They’re not interested in you; they’re only interested in profits. We, on the other hand, care about profits AND you. Street Fighter FOREVER!"
This bold statement from the Street Fighter cast definitely stirred the pot, igniting a wave of reactions online. "They’ve just started a war!" exclaimed fighting game streamer unCAGEDgamez. "Oh, it’s on!" Others echoed this sentiment, with one fan stating, "No one from this Street Fighter cast can top Scorpion and Sub-Zero," while another added humorously, "Hadoukens fired!"
In response to the jests, Todd Garner, the producer behind Mortal Kombat 2, shared his feelings on the matter via Twitter. Clearly feeling a bit slighted by Schulz's quip, he posted, "I don’t step on others to succeed."
Yet later, he offered a more amicable perspective—while leaving his initial tweet up—expressing, "I hope both movies do incredibly well."
This exchange highlights the enduring rivalry between Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, a competition that dates back to the 1990s and has often sparked debates among fans, especially in schoolyards. I can personally recall being pressured to choose sides while secretly enjoying both franchises. Next year promises an intriguing twist in this saga, as both the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat 2 films are set to release within a five-month span. Mortal Kombat 2 will hit theaters first on May 8, followed by Street Fighter on October 16.
The ultimate way to settle this ongoing debate? A crossover game featuring Mortal Kombat versus Street Fighter, of course! NetherRealm's Ed Boon has mentioned several times that this crossover is a long-held dream of his. He even attempted to make it happen in the past, but talks with Capcom fell through. With both franchises now launching their movie adaptations next year, could this finally be the perfect moment for a rematch?
As for Schulz’s joke, it was light-hearted banter and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. After all, he’s portraying the comedic character Dan in the film, who is likely to face some hilarious defeats. I’m sure Todd Garner will appreciate that aspect of the role.
Photo by Frank Micelotta/The Game Awards via Getty Images.
Wesley serves as the Director of News at IGN, and you can find him tweeting at @wyp100. For any news tips or confidential inquiries, reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or wyp100@proton.me.
