The 2021 adaptation of Mortal Kombat failed its audience and fans in many ways but the one thing it did pull off right was the legendary final battle between Hiroyuki Sanada’s Scorpion and Joe Taslim’s Sub-Zero. Now, 3 years later, the fans are getting a second go at the eternal fight for the fate of Earthrealm as Mortal Kombat 2 production begins in full swing.
As old players are set to return, including the ever-legendary antagonist from the first film, new players, too, are preparing to take up the mantle from Cole Young in the sequel to the 2021 movie. The filming of which will last from June to September 2023 with a possible release date slated for late 2024.
Also read: Mortal Kombat 2 Writer Assures Sequel Won’t Be as Disastrous, Will Listen to Fan Feedback
Mortal Kombat 2 Producer Announces Latest Developments
The 2021 film adaptation of the infamous fighting game series, Mortal Kombat, was announced to be getting a sequel a year after its premiere – news that was received amid equal levels of praise and criticism. Mortal Kombat 2, which is now entering into production, has a lot that needs to be done right if the game’s legacy is to survive in the modern era of video game adaptations. And given how badly scripted the first movie was, it comes as no surprise that the sequel is already tracking to rectify some of the mistakes by replacing writer Greg Russo with Marvel series creator, Jeremy Slater.
The producer, Todd Garner, nearly 2 years after the first film, has now updated the fans about the widely anticipated sequel. And even though the fans rightfully remain skeptical about the direction and execution of the plot (which is still being kept under wraps), Garner assures that the studio has listened to the growing worries of the audience and the sequel seeks to rectify all of the mistakes from the first film.
Off we go! I’m thrilled to start & trust me, we’ve listened. We’ve learned from the mistakes & are committed to making the best MK2 possible. I, 100% support everyone’s right to their opinion, but I have the right not to be abused & will block you. So…let’s have an amazing ride!
— Todd Garner (@Todd_Garner) June 20, 2023
Mortal Kombat 2 is highly likely to introduce the epic villain Noob Saibot in its plot along with the actual titular fighting tournament as compared to the first film’s hands-on plot that merely developed the original character, Cole Young. The film will also add the in-game favorite character, Johnny Cage, whose existence as the comic relief will serve as a balance against the heavy R-rated action in the plot. As for actors set to reprise their roles from the first film, not much is known beyond Joe Taslim and Lewis Tan and perhaps a possible cameo from Hiroyuki Sanada himself.
Can Mortal Kombat 2 Learn From Its Original Film’s Mistakes?
Although disappointment reigns high atop the list of cons whenever it comes to video game adaptations, the arrival of Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi seemed to negate several points from the cons list and add it to the pros. Despite the limited screen time available to him, the fire-breathing Scorpion redeemed a major part of the poorly scripted movie that felt more like a Noob Saibot origin story than a film about the forces of Outworld vying for control over Earthrealm.
The rise of evil, shadowy villains, the Outworld, and the actual Mortal Kombat tournament were subjects briefly touched upon in the 2021 film as fans of the newest adaptation were hauled into the theatres and thrown directly into the developing plot that takes place at a much more grounded and individualistic level than a grand fighting tournament. The sequel will primarily seek to rectify that if Garner is to be believed about the changes being made by keeping fan opinions in mind.
Moreover, even though the 2021 film decidedly puts Scorpion’s legacy descendant at the front and center of the plot, it began and ended with Bi-Han’s evolution from a vengeful assassin to Sub-Zero, the villain whose death at the hands of Scorpion, according to the lore, sends him to the Neatherrealm where he is not only resurrected as Noob Saibot, an undead ninja wraith but exists as the pure incarnation of evil without allegiance to any side. His sole purpose now lies in conquering and ruling Neatherrealm and seeking vengeance upon Scorpion by whatever means necessary.
The sequel, whose storyline was teased at the end of the original movie by foreshadowing the arrival of the demonic Noob Saibot and the wise-cracking action movie star Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), will be a stronger, better delivery to the Mortal Kombat-verse that will do the plot more justice than the original film’s poorly developed script and storyline.
Source: Twitter | Todd Garner
