The character Zangief was introduced to the world back in 1991 -- specifically in the game Street Fighter II: The World Warrior -- but nearly 30 years later we're still learning new things about him. And some of those things have been staring us in the face the whole time and just needed to be pointed out. Case in point, the new film Ralph Breaks The Internet makes a pretty bold claim about Zangief's waxing habits, and directors Phil Johnston and Rich Moore believe it to be totally true:
Phil Johnston: 100 percent!Rich Moore: I'd never thought he did until Phil wrote that scene. And the moment I read it, I was like, 'I think he does!'Phil Johnston: You look at the, as Vanellope says, the boots, and there's just this little clump of hair coming out of the boots. No, that doesn't happen. Does not just happen. He definitely waxes manicured man.
The Russian Street Fighter character has been featured in both Wreck-It Ralph movies -- notably discussing breaking skulls like sparrow eggs in the first film -- but Ralph Breaks The Internet totally opens our eyes to something that has been staring us in the face the whole time: Zangief is a waxer. It's not only strange for him to have that random patch of hair in the middle of his chest, but there needs to be some explanation for those tufts that come out of the top of his red boots.
Furthermore, Zangief is clearly a rather hair gentlemen, and knows a thing or two about hair removal. After all, he maintains a perfect mohawk with a very clean scalp, and sports a very heavy beard. It would make all the sense in the world for him to be hairy all over... but he's not. It's a surprising revelation during some random chatter between Ralph and Vanellope in the first act of the film, and makes you potentially rethink everything you think you know about the Red Cyclone.
Given that Rich Moore voices Zangief in both Wreck-It Ralph and Ralph Breaks The Internet, you'd think that this tidbit would have been his invention for the new movie, but apparently all credit goes to Phil Johnston. Furthermore, there was apparently some chatter about extending the bit, specifically with a particular scene featuring both Ralph and Zangief, but it never really came together because it wasn't taken super seriously as an idea. Said Johnston,
There was a moment where we were going to have him showing Ralph how to wax, but that's not a great idea either.
You can watch Rich Moore and Phil Johnston discuss the million dollar question when I sat down with them earlier this month during the Ralph Breaks The Internet press day by clicking play on the video below!
In addition to Rich Moore as Zangief, Ralph Breaks The Internet features an all-star lineup including John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Bill Hader and more, and the film is now in theaters everywhere.
