Mortal Kombat 2 Can Fix The Two Iconic Game Characters Failed By The 2021 Movie

Mortal Kombat (2021) failed two major characters who should have had much bigger roles in the reboot, and it is now up to Mortal Kombat 2 to fix it. The upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 will build up from the world and characters introduced in 2021’s Mortal Kombat, the first theatrical film in the franchise since 1997. There are dozens of Mortal Kombat characters, and each player has their favorite, but some champions are undoubtedly more important to the saga’s history than others. Given how there hasn’t been a universally praised live-action MK movie, some champions have yet to receive a definitive adaptation.

For example, the best version of Scorpion’s story outside of the games arguably comes from the animated Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge, not from any of the live-action films. The cast of Mortal Kombat 2 reveals that the sequel is bringing even more characters from the games, which is exciting but raises the question of how well they will be adapted. Hopefully, Mortal Kombat 2 will do all of its characters justice, especially the ones that were failed by the first movie.

Mortal Kombat (2021) Failed Liu Kang & Scorpion

Liu Kang and Scorpion were given little to do

Mortal Kombat got several things right about the world of the games, including costumes and powers, yet it failed both Liu Kang and Scorpion. Firstly, instead of focusing on the franchise’s most established characters, Mortal Kombat (2021) had a brand-new character as its protagonist. MMA fighter Cole Young may have been an interesting addition to Mortal Kombat’s canon, but it should not have happened at the expense of sidelining titans like Scorpion and Liu Kang. Scorpion only participates in two fight scenes in the entire movie, whereas Liu Kang feels like a supporting character only.

Little to nothing is shown about Liu Kang’s past or goals, even though Mortal Kombat was the first live-action film in the franchise to also feature Kung Lao. Those not familiar with the MK video games would have barely any context on Liu Kang’s role in the story and why he is so important, as well as what his friendship with Kung Lao means. Ludi Lin does a great job as Liu Kang, and some of the character’s signature moves were brought from the games to the big screen. However, Liu Kang is not given much to do.

The lack of Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat was somewhat expected given that the marketing for the 2021 reboot was focused on Scorpion and Sub-Zero. However, Hiroyuki Sanada’s Hanzo Hasashi also had a very limited role in the film, appearing only at the beginning and end of the movie. Scorpion’s presence in Mortal Kombat was entirely tied to the story of Cole Young, a descendant of Hanzo Hasashi who was born with the dragon mark. Not even Hanzo’s transformation into Scorpion, one of the most important events in the character’s lore, is in the film.

Liu Kang & Scorpion Are Arguably MK’s Most Important Characters

Mortal Kombat wouldn’t be the same without them

Liu Kang and Scorpion are the respective faces of two different Mortal Kombat eras. Liu Kang was front and center in the franchise’s original games, quickly becoming synonymous with Mortal Kombat and appearing on the covers and promotional material of every new release. Several interpretations of Mortal Kombat, not only in the games but also in adaptations for other media, framed Liu Kang as the “chosen one.” Raiden believed that Liu Kang would be the one to win the tournament and defeat Shang Tsung, which he has done in multiple versions of Mortal Kombat’s lore.

Liu Kang’s importance to the saga is perhaps best illustrated by his role in the 1995 Mortal Kombat movie, in which Robin Shou’s character is the main hero. Perhaps Mortal Kombat (2021) avoided focusing too much on Liu Kang to distance itself from the 1995 film as well as Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, both of which were Liu Kang’s story first and foremost. Still, there was no reason for Mortal Kombat (2021) not to give Scorpion a lot of screentime considering how popular the Netherrealm ninja has become in the past decade, arguably replacing Liu Kang as the face of the franchise.

How Mortal Kombat 2 Can Fix Scorpion & Liu Kang

Liu Kang and Scorpion should take the front stage

Both Liu Kang and Scorpion will be in Mortal Kombat 2, which is not surprising but gives the franchise a chance to fix the first movie’s mistake. Whereas Liu Kang’s story can keep progressing, Scorpion’s past should be revisited. With Quan Chi confirmed in Mortal Kombat 2 and Netherrealm all but certain to be in the sequel, the movie has everything it needs to show more of Scorpion’s origins and expand the character’s role in the story. The 2021 reboot barely explains how Hanzo returned from the dead as Scorpion, which the sequel could explore.

For example, Mortal Kombat 2 could reveal what was the deal made between Quan Chi and Hanzo for the latter to return to the world of the living. Quan Chi in Mortal Kombat 2 also suggests that Sub-Zero will return as Noob Saibot, setting up a rematch between Hanzo and Bi-han. Liu Kang, who did not do much in the first movie, should take center stage in the sequel and have a larger role in saving the day. Assuming there will be a tournament in Mortal Kombat 2, Liu Kang should be the one to win it.

Johnny Cage’s Mortal Kombat 2 Role Complicates Things For Scorpion & Liu Kang

Mortal Kombat 2 has lots of characters to get right

Although Mortal Kombat 2 is in a good position to fix the first film’s problems and deliver a much better sequel, it will have some challenges in how to balance so many important characters. In addition to Cole Young, Scorpion, Liu Kang, and all the other new and returning MK champions, Mortal Kombat 2 will also see the introduction of Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage. One of the most popular Mortal Kombat characters, Cage was missing from the 2021 reboot, a divisive decision that made it difficult for audiences to welcome new faces like Cole Young.

If Urban’s Johnny Cage has as big of a personality as the one in the games, it will be difficult for the character not to steal the show in Mortal Kombat 2. With at least three main Mortal Kombat villains confirmed for the sequel as well as many other champions, Mortal Kombat 2 will only be able to give its characters so much screen time. It will take a very solid, balanced script for all the characters, including fan favorites like Johnny Cage and Liu Kang, to have their time in the spotlight.

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