Newly released Mortal Kombat reboot images for the upcoming film have given fans their first look at the new adaptation. Directed by Simon McQuoid and produced by James Wan (Aquaman, The Conjuring, Furious 7), Mortal Kombat will reintroduce the brutally popular video game series to the big screen. The film is set to release later this year, with a star cast that includes Lewis Tan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Joe Taslim, Ludi Lin, and Jessica McNamee.

A staple of ‘90s pop culture and still a major franchise today, Mortal Kombat quickly became one of the most beloved and notorious fighting game series after the first game’s release. Its notoriety largely came from the game’s iconic hyper-violence, exemplified in the famous “fatality” finishing moves. A live-action film adaptation titled Mortal Kombat was released in 1995 to a generally positive response. The sequel, 1997’s Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, garnered less favorable reviews. Now, the franchise looks primed for a grand return to the world of film.

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Fans are getting their first look at the new movie in some images released via Entertainment Weekly. The pictures show iconic characters like Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Kung Lao (Max Huang), Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Jax Briggs (Mehcad Brooks), Kano (Josh Lawson), and Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), all posing and battling in renditions of their classic outfits. The images also show glimpses of Lewis Tan’s Cole Young – the film’s protagonist and a newcomer to the series – and the backstory of Sub-Zero and Scorpion’s rivalry, which will serve as a foundation for much of the story’s drama.

Liu Kang and Kung Lao are ready for action.

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Jax’s iconic robot arms are on full display.

Kano is scheming beneath his red eye.

Sub-Zero shows off his signature ice powers.

Lewis Tan’s Cole Young enters the MK ring.

The dark origins of Scorpion’s infamous kunai are revealed.

And Sonya Blade is in full Kombat mode.

The story of the new Mortal Kombat will take a different approach than the original film, using Tan’s character as a newcomer around whom the series’ various classic characters, locations and plotlines will be revealed. Tan has previously had major roles in shows like Wu Assassins and Into the Badlands, and he should make a great addition to the MK family.

So far, it looks McQuiod’s film is on the right track. The images include some recognizable icons of the Mortal Kombat world like Scorpion’s “get over here” kunai and Kung Lao’s deadly hat. The original movie was far from a masterpiece of cinema, but it was a fun ride that paid proper tribute to the source material and didn’t take itself too seriously. In the realm of video game movies, it’s seen as one of the better ones. With luck, the reboot will please both fans of the games and martial arts aficionados alike. Mortal Kombat is currently scheduled for a simultaneous release in theaters and on HBO Max on April 16.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Key Release Dates
  • Mortal Kombat (2021)Release date: Apr 23, 2021
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Rick Stevenson
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Rick Stevenson is a writer, editor and performer based in Brooklyn, NY. He’s written on TV, film and games for over six years, in addition to assorted stints in bookselling, carpentry, and TV production. Rick studied writing at the College of William & Mary and Oxford University, and can report with some authority that they are both old. He lives and dies for Avatar: The Last Airbender.

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