A cast reunion for the Shōgun TV series will secretly happen as part of an upcoming sequel to a 2021 action blockbuster. As of Shōgun season 1’s ending, the show is largely considered one of the best of 2024’s first quarter. From the way feudal Japan was realized to the gripping drama and action, the show’s success has led many to desire a Shōgun season 2 or other sequels and spin-offs.
Another contributing factor to the show’s success was Shōgun‘s cast of characters and the actors chosen to portray them. Two standouts included Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne and Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko who imbued the show with a central relationship that was integral to Shōgun season 1’s story. However, two other standout performers will be in an upcoming sequel to an action blockbuster from 2021, proving it to be a Shōgun reunion that many did not know they needed, but will gladly accept.
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Shogun Stars Hiroyuki Sanada & Tadanobu Asano Are Both In Mortal Kombat 2
The sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat will star two Shōgun actors.
The sequel in question is Mortal Kombat 2. In 2021’s Mortal Kombat, Hiroyuki Sanada portrayed Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion, one of the highlights of the film. Another of Mortal Kombat‘s central characters was Raiden, who was played by Tadanobu Asano. Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano were two of Shōgun‘s best performers of two equally brilliant characters: Yoshii Toranaga and Kashigi Yabushige.
Interestingly, both Sanada and Asano have been confirmed to reprise their roles in Mortal Kombat 2. With the first Mortal Kombat coming out before Shōgun, Mortal Kombat 2‘s story will now serve as an unofficial Shōgun reunion. Audiences will be able to see Sanada and Asano onscreen together once more, after their intriguing, fascinating, somewhat antagonistic dynamic as Toranaga and Yabushige in Shōgun season 1.
What To Expect From Scorpion & Raiden In Mortal Kombat 2
Scorpion and Raiden will have big roles in Mortal Kombat 2.
Concerning what to expect from Scorpion and Raiden in Mortal Kombat 2‘s story, it is likely that both will have important roles. Beginning with Raiden, he is the leader of Earth’s champions, tasked with training a team to fight in the titular Mortal Kombat tournament. As such, Raiden will almost undoubtedly be a core character of Mortal Kombat 2 as he leads champions like Lewis Tan’s Cole, Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage, and the other characters who will fight against Outworld’s warriors.
Actor | Mortal Kombat 2 Character |
---|---|
Lewis Tan | Cole Young |
Jessica McNamee | Sonya Blade |
Mehcad Brooks | Jax |
Tadanobu Asano | Raiden |
Ludi Lin | Liu Kang |
Hiroyuki Sanada | Scorpion |
Chin Han | Shang Tsung |
Joe Taslim | Noob Saibot |
Tati Gabrielle | Jade |
Martyn Ford | Shao Kahn |
Karl Urban | Johnny Cage |
Adeline Rudolph | Kitana |
Desmond Chaim | King Jerrod |
Ana Thu Nguyen | Queen Sindel |
Damon Herriman | Quan Chi |
Josh Lawson | Kano |
Max Huang | Revenant Kung Lao |
Sisi Stringer | Mileena |
Scorpion’s inclusion in Mortal Kombat 2 is more interesting, as his character served as a bookend in Mortal Kombat‘s story. His feud with Sub-Zero is over as of the first film’s ending, meaning his role is unclear. However, given that Scorpion was confirmed as an ancestor of Cole, it could be the case that the former fights in the tournament to help the latter after Cole was integral to defeating Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat‘s ending. Regardless, the confirmation of Sanada’s return as Scorpion alongside Asano’s Raiden means Mortal Kombat 2 will act as a Shōgun reunion.
Shogun
Shogun is an FX original mini-series set in 17th Century Japan. Shogun follows John Blackthorne, who becomes a samurai warrior but is unknowingly a pawn in Yoshii Toranaga’s plan to become Shogun. The series stars Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne and Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga, along with Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, and Yûki Kedôin.
- Cast
-
Cosmo Jarvis
, Hiroyuki Sanada
, Anna Sawai
, Tadanobu Asano
, Yûki Kedôin - Streaming Service(s)
-
Hulu
- Writers
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Maegan Houang
, Rachel Kondo
, Justin Marks
, Emily Yoshida - Directors
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Frederick E.O. Toye
, Jonathan van Tulleken