The movie and video game worlds are saddened today to learn of the passing of iconic & beloved actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. The star had many memorable roles, but was indelibly linked with his performance as Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat feature film.

Deadline reports the sudden passing of the actor, age 75, due to complications arising from a stroke. He was surrounded by his children according to family, who confirmed the news.

Tagawa was a steady presence in film & television for almost forty years, making early appearances in MacGuyver, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Miami Vice, among others. He rose to prominence on the big screen in the sympathetic role of Chang in The Last Emperor, and a narcotics agent who detains a rogue James Bond in License to Kill, before becoming a villainous presence in cult action films like Kickboxer 2, Showdown in Little Tokyo, Nemesis, and Rising Sun, opposite stars like Sean Connery, Wesley Snipes, and Dolph Lundgren.

The role that would follow Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa came in 1995 when he gave a sinister new face to Mortal Kombat's Shang Tsung. Though mortally defeated in the movie's climax, he would return to the arch-villain in 2015 for the second Mortal Kombat: Legacy webseries. A third was filmed but never officially released, based on the Mortal Kombat X video game. Leaked raw footage allowed fans to enjoy Tagawa's trademark cool evil in an interrogation scene with Casper Van Dien's Johnny Cage.

Mortal Kombat 11 officially brought Tagawa into MK canon when his voice & likeness was used for Shang Tsung -- a featured villain and pre-order incentive character who speaks to players as they navigate Shang Tsung's island in The Krypt mode, and whose role expanded in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath DLC story mode.

Co-creators Ed Boon and John Tobias paid homage to Tagawa via social media. The NetherRealm Studios Chief Creative Officer said: "We lost a legend today. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa @CHTOfficial played Shang Tsung in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film and sadly passed away at age 75. We had the privilege of his portrayal on the first MK film but also as an amazing voice actor in the Mortal Kombat 11 game. Cary was one of a kind. He combined danger, swagger and athleticism to his roles and will always be remembered as the man who first brought Shang Tsung to life on film. Rest in Peace. Your soul is eternal." Tobias noted "Immortal in our hearts… Rest in Peace Cary"

"Your soul is MINE!" Often imitated, never equaled, Tagawa menaced the very audience in the 1995 feature.

Prior to his return to the role, Tagawa collaborated with Mortal Kombat Online in 2011 for the launch of his Shang's Army initiative. The membership driven club promoted spiritual training and breathing techniques, which saw him connect with fans online, and at live events, such as Final Kombat 2020.

In more recent years Tagawa was recognised by fans from featured roles in Memoirs of a Geisha, Pearl Harbor, Elektra, Tekken and 47 Ronin, as a voice in Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo, Star Wars: Rebels, Duck Tales, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and in the streaming TV series The Man in the High Castle. Roles fans will no doubt continue to enjoy.

What was your favourite performance by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa? Share your thoughts and well wishes in the comments below, and discuss the star's iconic work in MK in the Media & Merchandise and Mortal Kombat 11 categories.

Earlier this year Mortal Kombat took the online battle royal of Fortnite by storm with limited game modes and items based on the klassic fighting game series. If you missed out on all the island fun - you now have a short time to experience the action again and unlock items in two Epic Games!

Blitz Royale brings the fire & ice back to Fortnite for an intense game mode channeling Mortal Kombat into a shortened, hyper-focused version of the online contest. You'll be able to wield the powers of Sub-Zero and Scorpion throughout this week, with all available Mortal Kombat skins back in the Fortnite Shop. You can also find Mortal Kombat tie-in items in the Rocket League store!

[Related Article: Mortal Kombat Makes Fools of Fortnite Lawless in Klassic Kombat Trailer]

Have you experienced the thrill of the Mortal Kombat x Fortnite collaboration? Has it given you a taste for island-based battle? Share your thoughts about the crossover in the comments below and revisit the original reveal trailer!

The official release of Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is imminent and with much talk about available function at launch amongst fans, developer Digital Eclipse has outlined exactly which games will offer online matchmaking, and how it works. Get the details here:

Multiple versions of your favourite klassics will be available for online competition at launch, but initially these options will be restricted to randomized opponents. Online Options will allow you to filter random opponents based on connection strength, input lag, and other unspecified details, but challenging your old arcade buddy -- or mortal nemesis who killed your family and clan -- will have to wait. Public & Private Lobbies are expected at a later date, with more details to come.

Fortunately there will be multiple versions of most of your favourite klassic titles ready to host random online battles with first adopted with Mortal Kombat X. These include definitive Arcade builds of Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, and Mortal Kombat 4, as well as console-specific ports.

Nintendo's original Switch won't have access to MK4 online, but otherwise there'll be plenty of retro rumbling ready to satiate your hunger for klassic kombat. Thanks to Legacy Kollection's extensive customization and secret options -- you'll also have no trouble with the Blood Code!

[Related Article: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Physical Editions Preview]

Online competition isn't your thing? Single player options are well and truly covered with the inclusion of MK Mythologies: Sub-Zero and MK Special Forces! Preview examples of MK4 enhancement options and watch the latest trailer.

Will you board the online nethership to be part of the first randomized online match-ups? Tell us which version of MK Legacy Kollection you'll be playing and which games you're most excited to revisit in the comments below! Dig deeper into the phenomenon in the 2D Kombat Klassics and 3D Kombat Klassics discussion categories!

It's been a couple of months since movie sequel Mortal Kombat II announced a change to its theatrical release schedule, and although it left fans disappointed to have to wait until next year, the latest change will bring a minor reprieve for those eager to resume live-action kombat on the big screen. Read on:

Deadline reports that New Line Cinema has changed the date again, bringing the official theatrical release of Mortal Kombat II forward by one week to May 8th, 2026.

The studio is said to be very confident and excited about the movie, so much so that a third installment is being considered with writer Jeremy Slater, and producer Todd Garner, continuing their roles on the prospective sequel. Slater acknowledged the plan for another go around during the recent New York Comic-Con live event.

[Related Article: Mortal Kombat II Featurette Previews Bigger Sequel]

Will you be there in a cinema seat on the new opening week? Can it come fast enough? Share your thoughts in the comments below and keep the conversation going in the Media & Merchandise category.

Ed Boon is co-creator of Mortal Kombat and Chief Creative Officer of NetherRealm Studios, but he's trying on some new hats as Mortal Kombat II draws nearer. The face of the franchise played host at the New York Comic-Con, discussing the upcoming film with cast & crew, and giving us a preview of his role. Watch the whole panel experience right here:

Mortal Kombat II has been a victim of its own success according to returning director Simon McQuoid. The filmmaker invoked the popular opening scene from the first film while touting the momentum of the sequel, which is a Summer blockbuster that explores the realms of MK -- moved from its October release to May next year. "You will cry when you watch this movie" says Boon, who has seen it multiple times, and emphasized the emotional drama as well as the action.

Karl Urban and writer Jeremy Slater discussed their interpretation of a brooding Johnny Cage, who's fallen out of his martial arts training and successful moviestar career, but will rediscover himself as he's recruited by Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) and Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) to compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament.

Adeline Rudolph may have earned a yellow belt in taekwondo, but she worked hard to adopt fight choreography as Kitana. She shares the film as one of its main characters, struggling with Tati Gabrielle as Jade, a real life best friend whose loyalty is torn under Martyn Ford's evil Emperor Shao Kahn. Of course, they aren't the only new talent hitting the screen. Boon unveiled his cameo role of Ed the Bartender, as well.

The cast also did battle with cosplaying fans in a round of Kombat trivia. Live stream watchers couldn't see the behind the scenes featurette shown to the NYCC crowd, but you can watch it now right here. Mortal Kombat II comes to theatres and IMAX starting May 15th, 2026. Are you excited by what you've heard? Share your thoughts in the comments below and discuss more movie mayhem in the Media & Merchandise category!