It's still a couple of months until Mortal Kombat II invades theatres worldwide -- but it seems work on a sequel is already underway! A third film has been teased by producer Todd Garner, who shared a photograph of a fresh script draft via social media. Take a look:
A wide-eyed Garner reacts to setting sights on what appears to be the first revised script of the next Mortal Kombat sequel [pictured below]. "Draft 1.1" was apparently completed on February 27th, credited to Jeremy Slater, who came on board in 2022 to write the upcoming Mortal Kombat II. Slater discussed embracing the "weird" aspects of MK while working on the first sequel.
Is that the bottom of a Mortal Kombat 3 logo printed on the script? The thick outline certainly seems reminiscent, and with Mortal Kombat II set to tackle the conflict with Shao Kahn and Outworld in May, it wouldn't be surprising to see the story continue into familiar plotlines.
Are you excited for a third live-action Mortal Kombat movie? Is it encouraging that they're already looking ahead to the next one? Share your thoughts in the comments below and keep watching the movies in the Media & Merchandise forum.
Mortal Kombat 2 is back in the headlines but not always for the right reasons. Alongside legitimate updates, a wave of opportunistic AI-generated articles has flooded the internet, often paired with convincing fake images and spreading faster than a teleporting palette swapped ninja.
Fortunately, MKO's Tabmok99 and the Realm Kast have teamed up to investigate many of viral hoaxes and long-standing rumors, separating fact from fiction for the Mortal Kombat Kommunity.
Several rumors tied to the original Mortal Kombat continue to circulate, with some recently gaining traction again through AI-generated posts. Tabmok99's latest video compiles interviews, production insights, and firsthand accounts to determine which claims actually hold up.
One of the most widely shared claims suggests that Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa filmed a cameo for the upcoming sequel. However, this remains unconfirmed. According to Tabmok, no official announcements or contracts have surfaced, and comments from those close to Tagawa point to health concerns prior to his passing, making such a cameo highly unlikely.
Similarly, speculation that Christopher Lambert appears in early cuts of the sequel has no supporting evidence. Individuals who attended test screenings have verified that he does not appear in the version of the film they saw. Some AI-generated articles have gone even further, fabricating tribute quotes attributed to Lambert and Robin Shou regarding Tagawa's death.
Not all rumors are false, however. A long-circulating story that Tom Cruise was turned away from the set of Mortal Kombat (1995) is actually true. A 2015 Hollywood Reporter article confirms that Cruise attempted to visit the set but was denied access, according to actor Linden Ashby.
Another rumor that Christopher Lambert is an avid gamer also has some truth behind it. Footage exists of Lambert playing Mortal Kombat 3, and performing surprisingly well, lending credibility to the long-shared claim.
Other stories, however, fall apart under scrutiny. A persistent rumor about a deleted scene showing Art Lean being buried beneath a statue of Kung Lao appears to be inaccurate. While the film’s novelization references Art’s burial among fallen champions, it does not mention Kung Lao. Actor Sifu Kenneth Edwards has also stated he is unaware of any filmed version of such a scene.
Some of the more widely circulated claims have been definitively debunked. One example is the rumor that Tagawa reprised his role as Shang Tsung on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In reality, his appearance on the show featured a different character—Tai Wai Sei—who was loosely inspired by his persona, not Shang Tsung himself.
Another viral post—one of the more insensitive examples—claims to show an image of Tagawa’s daughter holding Shang Tsung’s iconic jacket from the 1995 film. Investigation revealed that the image is AI-generated and does not depict his daughter. Additionally, the original costume has remained in studio possession since production and is now owned by a private Mortal Kombat collector.
The collaboration between Tabmok99 and Realm Kast highlights how a mix of old anecdotes and modern AI-generated content has increasingly blurred the line between fact and fiction within the Mortal Kombat Kommunity. As these tools become more sophisticated, verifying sources has never been more important.
For a full breakdown of these claims and more, viewers are encouraged to watch the complete video analysis.
Hype for the long awaited theatrical release of Mortal Kombat II is stepping up a notch with a new official trailer and movie poster. The saga of the 2021 feature film continues with the latest offerings featuring Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) as a reluctant entrant into the tournament! Watch:
The new trailer offers further previews of what's to come, from Johnny's struggle in a booth at a fan convention -- to the extravagant settings of Outworld and the Mortal Kombat tournament. Klassic rivalries play out again on the big screen starting May 8th.
What did you think of the new trailer? Will you be representing Earthrealm in theatres? Share your thoughts in the comments below and explore more movie mayhem in the Media & Merchandise category!
A pair of Olympicice skaters recently showcased a routine inspired by the Mortal Kombat franchise, incorporating recognizable elements such as Fatalities and Friendships into their performance.
The routine features choreographed sequences to a short segment of Techno Syndrome (the Mortal Kombat theme). The performance mirrored the dramatic fighting seen in the games, using timing, posing, and theatrical presentation to evoke the style of Mortal Kombat’s signature combat moments.
The performance even included a more playful segments inspired by Friendships. These contrasting tones align with the franchise’s mix of intense combat and stylized humor.
The routine has gained attention online for its execution and creativity, particularly among the Mortal Kombat kommunity. The skaters’ ability to translate game mechanics into a live performance format has been highlighted as a key element of its appeal.
The routine stands as an example of how Mortal Kombat continue to be a pop culture staple, blending recognizable gaming elements with traditional disciplines like figure skating.
The next chapter of Mortal Kombat is taking shape — and this time, franchise co-creator Ed Boon is closer to the action than ever.
In a recent discussion with producer Todd Garner, Boon confirmed that the upcoming sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat represents a major step up in scale, collaboration, and fan responsiveness. According to both men, the new film is bigger, more aligned with the games, and shaped directly by audience feedback from the reboot.
Teases, Speculation, and “You’re Gonna Be Excited”
Hype for the sequel ramped up on February 4, when Todd Garner posted a photo and an image of Ed Boon with the simple caption: “Monday.” The cryptic tease immediately sparked speculation across social media, with fans debating whether a trailer or first clip was imminent.
Five days later, he released a full interview with Boon, shifting the focus from a quick marketing drop to a deeper look at the creative direction of the sequel.
A Hard Look at 2021 — and a Reset
The 2021 reboot launched during the pandemic and divided fans. While it delivered brutal action and franchise staples, it also drew criticism — particularly around narrative choices and the introduction of an original lead character.
Garner says the sequel began with a clear directive: listen.
“We really evaluated what fans loved and what they didn’t,” he explained. That meant bringing Boon into the creative process from the very beginning — not just as a consultant, but as an active voice in shaping story decisions.
Boon, who co-created Mortal Kombat in 1991 and serves as creative director at NetherRealm Studios, said he felt heard throughout development. He was involved in discussions about character arcs, canon alignment, and even who lives or dies.
The goal: stay true to 30+ years of lore while making a film that works on its own terms.
Bigger, Grander — and Tested by Hardcore Fans
Boon describes the sequel as “much more bigger, grander than the older movies.” He also called it the best experience he’s had working on a Mortal Kombat film — including 1995’s Mortal Kombat and the 2021 reboot.
Production took place in Gold Coast, Australia, and faced a significant hurdle when industry strikes forced an eight-month shutdown. Notably, Boon’s on-screen cameo was the final shot completed before the pause.
Yes — Boon will appear in the movie.
His cameo scene was filmed opposite Carl Urban, who features in the sequel. Urban reportedly delivered his off-camera dialogue first so Boon’s coverage could be finished before production halted.
Once filming resumed, the team moved into preview screenings — including a packed showing of 300 to 400 hardcore fans. Garner described the energy as comparable to a rock concert, with loud reactions and immediate feedback.
Those screenings weren’t just for hype. They were used to fine-tune story beats and navigate what Garner called “fun, complicated questions” about major narrative decisions.
Playing the Hits — Without Playing It Safe
The sequel’s strategy appears straightforward:
Deliver iconic characters and moments.
Avoid sidelining fan favorites.
Surprise audiences where it counts.
Respect established canon while planning long-term franchise growth.
There are still real-world constraints — budget, runtime, physics — but the creative mandate is clear: don’t hold back what fans expect from Mortal Kombat.
Garner has continued reinforcing the message that the team is focusing on what works. When one fan tweeted, “I HATE when people say ‘we’re listening to fans’ & nothing gets done,” alongside a list of demands, Garner responded directly: “You’re gonna be excited.”
