NEWS
50 Cent sort of plays a villainous role in the hip-hop world as a big-time troll on social media. However, he could actually be taking a real part in the upcoming Street Fighter movie. Thanks to reports from AllHipHop and Nexus Point News, the multi-hyphenate is rumored to be in talks to play Balrog from the video game franchise.
For those who aren't familiar, Balrog is known as a disgraced fighter in the Street Fighter world. As Nexus Point News writes, "Hailing from the slums of Las Vegas, Nevada, he rose through the ranks as a ruthless prizefighter that clawed his way to fame with sheer brutality and determination. However, Balrog's sadistic nature ultimately led him down a dark path of cheating and dirty tactics in the ring."
Their description continues, "[They] led to severe injuries and even death among his opponents, along with a steadfast ban from the world of professional boxing. This fall from grace made him a perfect recruit for the villainous terrorist organization Shadaloo... He became the brutal enforcer of its leader, M. Bison."
Balrog made his first appearance in the franchise in Street Fighter II: The World Warrior.
As it stands, the project is still really in its development. So, there's a decent chance that 50 Cent doesn't even land this gig. But still, he is fueling the rumors on his Instagram. In his post that includes the Nexus Point News article, he writes, "No Days off, Let’s work all roads lead to Shreveport [bomb emoji] Boom [dashing away emoji]."
This would be a fun role for Fif, and we hope that does pan out for him. So far, we know that Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip) is set to direct the film. Moreover, the latest draft was written by Dalan Musson (Captain America: Brave New World). Noah Centineo and Andrew Koji will portray Ken and Ryu. Additionally, Jason Momoa is going to be Blanka, Roman Reigns will be Akuma, and Orville Peck is set to play Vega.
Smashing Pumpkins are hoping to bring their A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness production to the Las Vegas Sphere for a one of a kind performance centered around the legendary 1995 album.
Billy Corgan is stepping away from traditional rock venues and leaning into the world of opera with his large scale A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness tour, which transforms the band’s iconic record into a full orchestral and operatic experience.
Even though the group has not officially been invited to perform at the cutting edge venue in Las Vegas, Corgan admitted he would immediately embrace the opportunity.
Speaking with KROQ, he explained: “It’s a no-doubter for us. We just haven’t been asked yet.
“See, if the Sphere came to us and said, ‘We’d love you to do all of Mellon Collie with that production.’ Now, that makes sense to me to do something like that, to build the show around the album.
"Then you have a chance to recast the songs and the music in a different dynamic.”
The performance sees Corgan joined by acclaimed solo vocalists and complete orchestras, reshaping some of Smashing Pumpkins’ most beloved songs into expansive classical arrangements.
The project first premiered in Chicago and received overwhelming praise, with audiences and reviewers applauding the powerful reinterpretations of songs such as 1979 and Tonight, Tonight.
Corgan shared that the experience has become one of the most meaningful achievements of his artistic journey.
He said: “The success of translating Mellon Collie into operatic and classical form has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. Where on each of the 7 sold out nights in Chicago, we’d finish within the raucous wave of a standing ovation. So to now take it on the road, and to Europe, too says this magical dream doesn’t have to end.”
The production was developed by Corgan alongside Grammy nominated conductor James Lowe, who added: "It has been so gratifying to discover how the nuances and layers of Mellon Collie reveal themselves in fresh new ways in these symphonic, choral and operatic settings. To now have the opportunity to perform this work in Europe with world class musicians in such important venues is nothing short of thrilling."
The lineup features vocalists Ed Parks, Sydney Mancasola, Zoie Reams, Dominick Valdes Chenes and Dean Murphy. The wardrobe for the production was created by House of Gilles designers Gilles Mendel and Chloé Mendel Corgan.
The upcoming run will include several September performances throughout the UK, Belgium, France and Spain, highlighted by two special evenings at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
