Considering how Mortal Kombat has remained a highly successful video game series for more than 25 years, you’d think Hollywood would’ve been able to get a third movie off the ground at some point – even if 1997’s Annihilation did leave a bad taste in the mouths of many. I mean, there were two live action series – one on TV and one on the web – but fans have hungered for something on the silver screen.
If you’ve been following the endless journey for yourself, you’ve been aware of the false hope we’ve been given since the early 2000s. Fortunately, we’ve had reason to have a measure of faith due to James Wan backing the expected reboot, but even he’s saying there’s no rush. Granted, that’s a good thing when it comes to the filmmaking process, but again, we’re starving.
As it turns out, the drought of news is seemingly over now that the folks over at That Hashtag Show have gotten their hands on character breakdowns. For the most part, the descriptions given sound pretty accurate to their video game counterparts, but do note the film’s lead is that of someone named Cole Turner, so maybe someone working on the picture was influenced by the ability to create a character in the game?
Here’s the skinny on that guy:
Lead Male. 30s. A brand new character to the MK franchise. Cole is a struggling and widowed boxer who cares more about his young daughter than anything. He is incredibly determined and refuses to quit in the face of fantastical adversity.
As for the rest of the pack, here you go:
KANO
Supporting Lead Male. 30s. The large, rugged Australian ex-special forces turned merc-for-hire. He is arrogant and impetuous but a tremendous fighter.SONYA BLADE
Supporting Lead Female. 30s. The beautiful, brainy blonde writer who chases the prophecy of Mortal Kombat. She recruits Cole and fights bravely and selflessly for a team she can only be a true part of once she earns a medallion in combat.JIN/LORD RAIDEN
Male. 14. The immortal thunder God and protector of the Earth realm, who leads and trains the Earth team in the Underworld.MILEENA
Female. 25-35. A drop dead gorgeous woman that is part of the Outworld side. She wears a sheer gown over thigh-high boots and a revealing one-piece, with a veil that covers her nose and mouth.JACKSON “JAX” BRIDGES
Male. 30-40. “Jax” is a strapping mercenary/military officer who loses both of his hands in an attack and then joins Sonya and Cole to fight the Outworld.LIU KANG
Male. 20-35. A fire throwing ninja warrior who is a talented Earth realm champion.KUNG LAO
Male. 25-35. The mute warrior monk brother of Liu Kang, who yields an all powerful boomerang hat.SHANG TSUNG
Male. No age specified. The great sorcerer of Outworld, whose presence is a storm cloud of dark energy. His ever-changing roulette of faces unfurls an evil smile.DRAHMIN
Male. 25-35. An Oni devil mask over his face, his body is composed of twisted sinewy skin, a heavy spiked club replaces one arm.KABAL
Male. 25-35. An evil assassin of Outworld, he is outfitted in a black armored vest and trench coat. His entire head is covered by a scarred black respirator. His signature weapons are two razor-sharp hook swords.NITARA
Female. 25-35. A black-haired vampire of Outworld. Two massive leathery batwings protrude from her bare shoulders. Fresh blood drips from her fangs.REIKO
Male. 25-40. An armor-clad Outworld General with white glowing eyes. He drags a massive war hammer with him.THE OVERSEER
Male. Late 80’s. The overseer of the clock tower and the training grounds that house the Earth realm warriors, he is laughably old.EMILY
Female. 12. Cole’s scrappy, determined, and wise-beyond-her-years daughter.SOPHIA
Female. 60s. Cole’s understanding, discerning mother-in-law who houses Emily and is her primary guardian.JESS
Female. 30-35. Cole’s judgmental sister-in-law, who believes Cole to be a selfish, bad father. She lives with Sophia and Emily.
From that, we’re able to gather there’ll be a strong focus on the Sonya Blade-Kano rivalry, but knowing Raiden’s a teenager is kind of hard to swallow. Even more ludicrous is the complete absence of Scorpion and Sub-Zero, who are arguably the brand’s two most popular characters (good luck selling a movie without them.) Even so, the outlet notes they could be played by masked martial artists as they had been in the past, but given their increased notoriety over the years, don’t you think the focus should be placed on them?
Mortal Kombat is set to be directed by Simon McQuoid from a screenplay penned by Greg Russo and as soon as we learn more about it, we’ll be sure to let you know.