From the details that have already been released about Mortal Kombat 2, the nascent film franchise based off the fighting game of the same name seems to be committed to improving. Mortal Kombat in 2021 was a bit of a shaky start for a revival of Mortal Kombat’s film presence, which hadn’t seen a full live-action entry since 1997’s Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. While the reboot of the series got some things right, such as its well-choreographed fight scenes and R rating, landing it on the higher end of the Mortal Kombat films, there was palpable room for improvement.
There were several disappointing aspects of 2021’s Mortal Kombat. Some fans weren’t sold on the new protagonist, Cole Young, a random martial artist created specifically for the film to be a stock good guy despite sharing the screen with the likes of Scorpion and Liu Kang. Others admonished the film’s strange implication of a magic system that handwaved the various fighters’ powers, going in the face of established Mortal Kombat lore. Luckily, details about Mortal Kombat 2 seem to suggest some much-needed refinements over the first film.
8 Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage
The fan-favorite protagonist will make a triumphant appearance
Only ever teased towards the end of the first film, fan-favorite hero Johnny Cage will be making a much-anticipated return to the movies in Mortal Kombat 2. Though the character was originally inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme, Cage will be played this time around by Karl Urban, known most notably as Billy the Butcher in Amazon’s The Boys. Urban’s familiarity with over-the-top violence and impeccable comedic timing offers a lot of promise as the crass, egotistical Johnny Cage.
7 Bi-Han’s Transformation Into Noob Saibot
One of the game’s most anticipated arcs will finally get a live-action adaptation
Casual audiences may have been confused by Sub-Zero’s status as a villain in Mortal Kombat, considering the character is one of the franchise’s flagship ninjas. But this iteration of Bi-Han is actually fairly reminiscent of the character’s original story from the games, eventually culminating in Sub-Zero’s transformation into the shadowy undead villain, fan-favorite Noob Saibot. With Sub-Zero’s actor slated to return as Noob, it seems as though Bi-Han’s descent into Netherworld will be chronicled in Mortal Kombat 2.
6 Quan Chi Is Looming Over The Tournament
Mortal Kombat’s greatest mastermind villain will be making a devious return
Mortal Kombat somewhat wasted its use of the vile sorcerer Shang Tsung as the film’s primary villain, presenting an underwhelming and forgettable version of one of the video game series’ most iconic antagonists. However, the presence of the demonic necromancer Quan Chi in the cast list offers a chance at redemption. In the games, Quan Chi is also the one who manipulates Sub-Zero into killing Scorpion’s family, a reveal that could have a big impact in Mortal Kombat 2.
5 Outworld’s Leaders Will Be Present
Sindel and Shao Kahn were sorely missed absences
Despite the main cast of Mortal Kombat being warned about the dangerous implications of an Outworld tournament win, the film never provides a glimpse into the leadership or political motivations of the barbaric dimension, cutting out a massively important chunk of the Mortal Kombat mythos. Thankfully, Queen Sindel, General Shao Kahn, and the ill-fated King Jerrod are all slated to make their debut in Mortal Kombat 2, each iconic fixtures of the franchise in their own right. Ana Thu Nguyen’s Sindel in particular will have big heels to fill after Musetta Vander’s infamously hammy performance in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.
4 Ed Boon Will Actually Be Involved
The series creator and long-time visionary should have a say in the movie
Having co-created the very first Mortal Kombat game and been the unquestionable captain of the franchise since its inception in arcades in 1992, Ed Boon is synonymous with the series. Boon didn’t have much involvement in the 2021 movie, and his absence was sorely felt, with baffling changes to the established Mortal Kombat conventions that the creator likely wouldn’t have let slide. This time around, Boon will be working closely with the writers to ensure their vision for the gory world of the games makes a smoother translation to theaters.
3 The Producer Has Incorporated Criticism From The First Film
Fans’ qualms with the 2021 film have not gone unheard
The grievances expressed by longtime fans of the series after seeing Mortal Kombat haven’t gone unnoticed by the film’s creators, and it seems they’re taking the constructive criticism into account. Mortal Kombat 2 writer Jeremy Slater shared some promising updates, acknowledging the first film’s mistakes while suggesting the sequel will “do it even better and give the audience even more“. Returning producer Todd Garner also assured fans of improvements on Twitter, insisting “We’ve learned from the mistakes & are committed to making the best MK2 possible“.
2 Fan-Favorite Realm Edenia Is Likely To Appear
Todd Garner has ensured a commitment to including even obscure fan-favorite locations
The Mortal Kombat universe is made up of many realms that all converge around the titular tournament, including Earthrealm, Outworld, and the hellish Netherrealm. However, these are far from the only three dimensions in the games’ mythos worthy of a movie adaptation, and Garner is committed to taking suggestions from fans. In a poll on Twitter, Garner seemed to take fans’ suggestions that Edenia, the lush, tranquil, Eden-like world, will be making an appearance in Mortal Kombat 2.
1 The Mortal Kombat Tournament Will Actually Happen
The first film’s biggest sin, by far, was not paying off its title
The Mortal Kombat series is named after the cross-dimensional Mortal Kombat Tournament, in which representatives of various realms compete in hand-to-hand combat for the right to avoid annexation. While 2021’s Mortal Kombat centered around this test of might, the film failed to pay off the promise of its premise, never actually showing the tournament. Since this egregious letdown, the second film has confirmed that the Mortal Kombat Tournament will actually be happening, ensuring fans aren’t strung along for another disappointment.
