It might have taken 4 years, however “Mortal Kombat II” is lastly, almost upon us. Warner Bros. and New Line launched director Simon McQuoid’s “Mortal Kombat” in 2021, serving as an R-rated tackle the beloved collection of video video games. The studio shortly set about creating at the least one sequel and now, we lastly know what that is going to appear to be. It may have an precise match, a bunch of latest characters, plenty of blood, and, it appears, a brand new protagonist.
The primary trailer for “Mortal Kombat II” solely simply debuted on-line, showcasing what McQuoid and screenwriter Jeremy Slater, of “Moon Knight” fame, have cooked up. It appears to be like very a lot according to what viewers might hope for, centering largely on actor-turned-world-saving-fighter Johnny Cage (with the fan-favorite character being performed by Karl City of “The Boys” and “Lord of the Rings” fame). The trailer very a lot units him up because the centerpiece of the sequel. The one drawback? Cole Younger has apparently been sidelined consequently.
Performed by Lewis Tan, Cole Younger was the MMA fighter who served because the lead in “Mortal Kombat,” having been marked as one in every of Earth’s champions for the Mortal Kombat match. The primary film then ended with Cole being despatched to Los Angeles to recruit new fighters for the inevitable duel with Shang Tsung and his forces. That is the place Johnny Cage was first teased. Nevertheless, it seems as if Cole might have been recruiting his alternative on the high of the decision sheet. Even the film’s synopsis makes it clear who the sequel is specializing in:
This time, the fan favourite champions — now joined by Johnny Cage himself — are pitted towards each other within the final, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the darkish rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.
Mortal Kombat II appears to be like just like the film followers have been ready for
Tan solely seems in a few very transient pictures within the trailer as Cole. The writing appears to be on the wall. Whereas that is likely to be irritating for Tan as an actor, it is a transfer that is sensible. One of the vital weird issues about McQuoid’s first “Mortal Kombat” film was the truth that it hinged on a personality created particularly for it, reasonably than one followers had been acquainted with from the unique video video games. Nevertheless, the “Mortal Kombat II” trailer makes it clear that McQuoid and Warner Bros. needed to lean extra into the video games this time. Evidently, that additionally means leaning away from Cole.
Setting that apart for a second, we have come a great distance since director Paul W.S. Anderson’s first “Mortal Kombat” film was launched in 1995. That movie helped set a tone for online game films for years to return, with Hollywood struggling to adapt this stuff for the massive display screen. In recent times, although, that has modified in an enormous method due to the likes of “The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and “A Minecraft Film,” amongst others.
However most of these films are for youthful audiences. “Mortal Kombat” is likely one of the uncommon online game movie franchises that may be particularly for adults and extra mature audiences, and “Mortal Kombat II” seems to be embracing the R-rated nature of the property that has helped outline it from the start. It is also value stating that 2021’s “Mortal Kombat” solely made $84 million on the field workplace towards a $55 million price range. It was not at all a theatrical hit, but it discovered an enormous fanbase on HBO Max. Warner Bros. made this film believing that, with the suitable take, it might attain an even bigger crowd. Leaning into Johnny Cage is the suitable take.
The “Mortal Kombat II” solid additionally contains Tadanobu Asano (Lord Raiden), Joe Taslim (Bi-Han), Hiroyuki Sanada (Scorpion), Adeline Rudolph (Kitana), Jessica McNamee (Sonya Blade), Josh Lawson (Kano), Ludi Lin (Liu Kang), Mehcad Brooks (Jax), Tati Gabrielle (Jade), Damon Herriman (Quan Chi), and Chin Han (Shang Tsung).
“Mortal Kombat II” will hit theaters on October 24, 2025.
