Almost nothing is known about the plot of the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, but the first behind-the-scenes footage from day one filming has revealed a couple of very specific nods to Mortal Kombat 11 fighters: Sindel and Cetrion!

With some careful dressing, Port Adelaide's disused wool stores are set to double for the streets of Chicago. Local news footage offered a brief glimpse of the set, where eagle-eyed fans will have noticed beverage advertising for Sindel Lemon Lime and Cetrion Kola. You can see a still shot captured below:

Screenplay writer Greg Russo has told fans on social media there are more characters to be revealed, but these sly background references may be an indication Sindel and Cetrion will sit this first installment out.

Elaborating on the challenging demands of writing an ensemble picture like Mortal Kombat, Russo explained: "[I] won't overstuff this movie with characters. I'd rather hold on a character than do them disservice by jamming them in... that being said, there are more characters in this film that have yet to be announced..." He compared the project to Marvel's Avengers, noting Mortal Kombat won't have the luxury of building up to a universe of pre-established characters. Producer James Wan commented on the careful balance of budget and creative direction late last year.

As I said from the beginning... i won't overstuff this movie with characters. I'd rather hold on a character than do them disservice by jamming them in... that being said, there are more characters in this film that have yet to be announced...

— Greg Russo (@WriterRusso) September 16, 2019

It's without a doubt the hardest part of writing this. I want to put everyone in, but I have to stick to my guns and do what's best for the story... Remember, we don't have the MCU luxury. We have to start in AVENGERS mode right off the bat. Not so easy when u think about it.

— Greg Russo (@WriterRusso) September 16, 2019

Johnny Cage and Kitana are among the few leading characters from the early games still to be cast, with Max Huang recently revealed to be Kung Lao. The role of actor Lewis Tan is yet to be revealed.

Mortal Kombat is directed by Simon McQuoid, to be released theatrically March 2021. The movie is projected to contain R-rated violence and game-accurate fatalities. Get a closer look at the redesigned dragon logo from the movie.

Sindel will be available for download in Mortal Kombat 11 starting November 26th. Get a first look in the Kombat Pack trailer. What do you think about hidden in-world references like these? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and discover more news and discussion on the Media & Merchandise forum!

The trademarked dragon logo has served as a harbinger of all things Mortal Kombat for over a quarter of a century. With the next feature film now in production, we have our clearest view of a newly designed logo glimpsed on the clapboard during Day 1 of filming! Take a look:

Actor Lewis Tan shared the photo to Instagram, dramatically staging the clapboard opposite what appears to be a blood spattered floor. Filming began Monday local time, with Port Adelaide doubling for the streets of Chicago.

A newly designed, red dragon logo can be seen in the centre of the board, wrapped in the Mortal Kombat text. It adapts the traditional circle border of the symbol into the tail of a more S-shaped dragon body. To accomodate the curving design, the dragon has been given a more slender figure.

This isn't the first time the iconic Mortal Kombat dragon logo has been changed. The symbol underwent an official redesign in 2014 for the release of Mortal Kombat X, slightly tweaking its dimension and features. The logo was given embossed three-dimensional details when Mortal Kombat went to the big screen in 1995. A more jagged, impressionistic version appeared in the second series of the live-action webseries Mortal Kombat: Legacy.

Renowned digital concept artist Nikolai "BossLogic" Baslajik has recreated his own version of the film's new logo, creating a mock movie poster he shared to Twitter [below]. He previously shared his vision of the cast as their respective characters.

What do you think of the movie's new dragon logo? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join all the news and discussion on the Media & Merchandise forum!

New details continue to emerge as the 2021 Mortal Kombat feature film begins production on location in South Australia. A press release for Day 1 filming has also revealed the identity of the actor playing Kung Lao!

Chinese actor and stunt performer Max Huang is credited in the press release with the role of Kung Lao. A member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team; the soon-to-be 32 year old has performed stunts in various major international releases, including: Kingsman: The Secret Service, Police Story: Lockdown, Dragon Blade, and The Foreigner. He can be seen wearing traditional martial arts dress in photos below:

Kung Lao was a notable omission from previous theatrical adaptations of the Mortal Kombat story. Mark Dacascos appeared as the hat-wearing Shaolin monk in the second season of live-action webseries Mortal Kombat: Legacy. In 1998, Paolo Montalban starred as the ancient Mortal Kombat champon "Great" Kung Lao on the broadcast television series Mortal Kombat: Conquest.

The press release does not specify if the ancestral Kung Lao is relevant to the film. It does, however, confirm Jessica McNamara as Sonya, with Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Tadabobu Asano as Raiden, and Lewis Tan in a still unspecified role.

Other production staff mentioned in the press release include: Director of Photography Germain McMicking (True Detective), Production Designer Naaman Marshall, Editor Scott Gray, and Costumer Designer Cappi Ireland. First time feature director Simon McQuoid is steering the ship, with James Wan and Todd Garner producing. Larry Kasanoff, E. Bennett Walsh, Michael Clear and Jeremy Stein serve as executive producers.

What do you think of Max Huang as Kung Lao? Share your reactions and speculation in the comments below! Then dive into the Media & Merchandise forum for more news and discussion! Special thanks to MK Online kommunity user gorostilllives for posting about this story.

The 2021 Mortal Kombat feature film has begun shooting in South Australia, and local news coverage of Day 1 has revealed more details about the various locations the southern state will double for.

9 News Adelaide reports approximately 700 extras took part in location filming in Port Adelaide, which will reportedly double for the streets of Chicago. State Premier Steven Marshall was there for the milestone, noting the days' work will roughly translate to around thirty-seconds of production. The movie is the largest shoot of its kind in South Australia.

Executive Producer Bennett Walsh discussed the versatile locations South Australia is able to offer to the film, noting the demands of the project: "I am surprised that we've been able to find every location here, because it is an action-fantasy film."

Other shooting locations will include the desert town of Coober Pedy, where movies such as Mad Max: Beyond Thunder Dome and Pitch Black have been filmed. Mount Crawford Forest in the Adelaide Hills will also double for "14th century Japan", according to Walsh.

It's unclear if the reference is intended to be literal, or indicative of Mortal Kombat's unique style. Despite the ancient martial arts tournament at the centre of Mortal Kombat's mythology; feudal Japan has never been of featured significance in the long running series.

One notable example of feudal Japan in Mortal Kombat comes from episodes seven and eight of the controversial live-action webseries Mortal Kombat: Legacy. In that retelling of Scorpion's origin, the secret world of the Shirai Ryu ninja clan was transposed to a time still under Shogun rule, no later than 19th century.

Writer Greg Russo has shared more photos from the shoot. Mortal Kombat is the first feature film by award-winning commercial director Simon McQuoid, with James Wan among producers. Japanese actors Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano are among the international cast.

What do you hope to see from Mortal Kombat's varied locations? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the speculation on the Media & Merchandise forum! Special thanks to MK Online user rojothunder192 for sharing a link to this story!

Production for the Mortal Kombat movie reboot has officially begun in South Australia! Monday local time marked the first day of principal photography on Simon McQuoid's directorial debut and writer Greg Russo has let fans share the monumentous occasion with behind the scenes photos.

A photograph of the first clapboard on set, emblazoned with the Mortal Kombat branding and dragon logo, captures an exciting milestone for the movie, which won't reach theatres until 2021. It's one of several photos Greg Russo has shared to social media in the last week.

Also pictured with the writer are stars Joe Taslim (Sub-Zero), Mehcad Brooks (Jax), and Lewis Tan, whose role in the film is yet to be confirmed.

Tan has been sharing his own photos, including a snapshot of himself sitting cross legged on training mats while wearing a harness. He compared the experience to childhood visits to sets where his father Philip Tan worked as a stunt co-ordinator. It doesn't offer many clues about his character, but he has also shared a clip showing some fancy sword work.

The path to Mortal Kombat's theatrical return has been long. Are you excited to see it becoming a reality? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join all the news and discussion in the Media & Merchandise forum!