Warner Brothers Is Already Developing 'Mortal Kombat 3' – And Here's Why That's a Big Deal
Before the second installment of "Mortal Kombat (https://variety.com/t/mortal-kombat/)" even hits cinema screens, fans of the franchise are getting some electrifying news: a third chapter is officially underway. This exciting revelation was made public during New York Comic Con on Saturday, sending waves of anticipation through the fanbase.
During a panel appearance featuring key members of the "Mortal Kombat" production team and cast – including Adeline Rudolph, Karl Urban, Martyn Ford, Simon McQuoid, and Tati Gabrielle – screenwriter Jeremy Slater dropped the bombshell announcement about the third film while confirming his involvement in penning the script once again.
"The team over at New Line and Warner Bros. couldn't be more thrilled and confident about this upcoming movie," Slater revealed to the enthusiastic crowd. "They're absolutely certain there's a massive, dedicated fanbase eagerly awaiting its arrival – so much so that they've already brought me on board to begin crafting the storyline for the next 'Mortal Kombat' chapter."
But here's where it gets controversial... Is announcing a third film before the second one even premieres a sign of confidence or overconfidence? The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy, arriving several months ahead of the sequel's theatrical debut, which is scheduled for May 15. At this stage, specific plot details regarding the third installment remain under wraps, leaving fans to speculate wildly about what's to come.
For those unfamiliar with the franchise, the "Mortal Kombat" film series draws inspiration from the legendary video game franchise of the same name. The narrative revolves around epic tournament battles between warriors defending Earthrealm and the menacing forces from the chaotic dimension known as Outworld. These high-stakes competitions showcase beloved heroes including Cole Young, Sonya Blade, Kano, Jax, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao as they face off against formidable adversaries such as Mileena, Nitara, Reiko, Kabal, Reptile, Goro, and the cunning sorcerer Shang Tsung.
The upcoming sequel promises to build upon and expand the tournament concept introduced in the original film, bringing back a substantial roster of familiar faces. Returning cast members include Lewis Tan reprising his role as Cole Young, Hiroyuki Sanada as the vengeful Scorpion, Jessica McNamee as the determined Sonya Blade, Mehcad Brooks as the powerful Jax, Ludi Lin as the noble Liu Kang, Josh Lawson as the unpredictable Kano, Tadanobu Asano as the thunder god Raiden, Chin Han as the sinister Shang Tsung, Joe Taslim as the cold-hearted Bi-Han, and Max Huang as the skilled Kung Lao.
And this is the part most people miss... The sequel is introducing an impressive array of fresh talent to the franchise. New additions to the cast roster feature Urban taking on the fan-favorite role of Johnny Cage, Rudolph as the fierce Princess Kitana, Gabrielle as the loyal warrior Jade, Damon Herriman as the necromancer Quan Chi, Ford as the intimidating emperor Shao Kahn, Desmond Chiam as King Jerrod, Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel, and CJ Bloomfield as the monstrous Baraka.
McQuoid's 2021 cinematic interpretation of "Mortal Kombat" proved to be a remarkable commercial triumph, especially considering the challenging circumstances of its release. The film debuted in theaters during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic while simultaneously launching on the HBO Max streaming platform. Despite these unconventional release conditions, it claimed (https://variety.com/2022/film/news/mortal-kombat-sequel-new-line-simon-mcquoid-1235321352/) the top spot at the box office during its opening weekend and accumulated an impressive $84 million in worldwide ticket sales against a production budget of $55 million. Furthermore, it achieved the distinction of becoming HBO Max's most successful film premiere up to that point in time.
The original "Mortal Kombat" film was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of producers James Wan, Todd Garner, McQuoid, and E. Bennett Walsh. The screenplay was crafted by the writing duo of Greg Russo and Dave Callaham, working from an original story conceived by Russo and Oren Uziel. The production also benefited from the guidance of executive producers Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Michael Clear, Jeremy Stein, and Larry Kasanoff, all working under the New Line Cinema banner.
So here's the million-dollar question: Is Warner Brothers making a smart move by greenlighting a third film so early, or are they putting the cart before the horse? Some might argue this demonstrates unwavering faith in the franchise's potential, while others might see it as premature celebration. What do you think – is this confidence justified, or should studios wait to see how audiences respond before committing to another sequel? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let's debate whether this aggressive expansion strategy will pay off or backfire!
