Assuming El Mayimbe is to be believed, Biel was not the first choice for the role. The source claims that both Pirates of the Carribean starlet Keira Knightly and Idle Hands' Jessica Alba previously declined the chance to personify one of Capcom's most recognizable icons. The original live action Street Fighter film, released in 1994, saw Ming-Na represent Chun-Li alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme as main character Guile.

Announced in October 2006, the new live action Street Fighter movie is said to focus primarily on Chun-Li. Set to arrive in 2008--coinciding nicely with the 20th anniversary of Capcom's fighting franchise--the film will be jointly produced by Capcom and Hyde Park Entertainment with a script handled by Justin Marks. No director has yet been announced.