As we count down to the retro-infused release of Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection -- series co-creator Ed Boon has unearthed a piece of Mortal Kombat development lore long thought lost to the past. It's only a screenshot for now, but the image comes from a pre-MK 1990 project that fans will instantly recognize from long discussed trivia about the game. Take a closer look:

Shared to the Threads social media platform; the screenshot shows "Confidential Material" from a video for a "Van Damme Arcade Video Game Demo". The star of fan-favourite movies like Bloodsport and Kickboxer has long been associated with MK's origins, part of an unrelated Midway game pitch that would've seen the Belgian martial arts star digitized in a never-manifested release.

Fellow co-creator John Tobias explained in an interview with MKO, "We envisioned Van Damme's involvement as a character in our game's story, or as playing himself in the game. That deal didn't pan out and we simply moved on. I think it was probably a good thing because who can guess what restrictions we may have been working under. Without a licensed tie-in we were free to do what we wanted."

Van Damme has continued to be associated with the series through popular trivia and inspiration evident in the creation of Johnny Cage. He finally completed this journey -- appearing as a premium skin for the character in Mortal Kombat 1.

[Related Article: John Tobias Details Origin of Mortal Kombat Dragon Logo]

This isn't the first time a trip to Ed Boon's personal archives has produced intriguing artefacts from MK's past: In anticipation of the franchise's 30th anniversary, the legendary gamemaker uncovered production videos from the first game's development, showing the creation of creation of Scorpion's spear, Sub-Zero's fight stance, and Raiden's teleport.

Do you want to see more from the lost Van Damme Arcade Game Demo? What would you have liked to have seen if a JCVD game came to fruition? Share your thoughts in the comments below and dig deeper into MK's secret past in the 2D Kombat Klassics category!

It's showtime! Johnny Cage is drawn into a world of martial arts and supernatural intrigue when he's chosen to fight in a tournament to the death. The legendary story of the original video games is retold for a new adaptation to the big screen in Mortal Kombat II -- coming to theatres. Watch the official red band trailer now:

The action picks up where the first movie left off, continuing the story as Earthrealm's chosen fighters boost their roster with the addition of the action moviestar everybody loved when they were a kid. He may not arrive with powers, but Johnny Cage has got the moves to take on Outworld in a fight for all our fate. It might just take a little convincing.

The trailer shows a design and conceptual consistency with the first movie, although the trailer has downplayed the presence of invented-for-the-movie protagonist Cole Young (Lewis Tan), while teasing the return of deceased characters through the infernal domain of Netherrealm. It also shows the turmoil of Shao Kahn's domination of Outworld, with what appears to be the death of King Jerrod.

The trailer was unveiled at the end of a livestream that included an introduction from director Simon McQuoid and series co-creator Ed Boon. The live presentation also included vote-based reveals of sixteen official character posters.

[Related Article: Johnny Cage Filmography Promotes Mortal Kombat II Movie]

The movie is also set to feature Quan Chi, suggesting there are still some secrets to be unlocked from the October sequel. Will you be there opening night? Share your reactions to the trailer in the comments below and discuss more from the movie in the Media & Merchandise category!

Promotion for the Mortal Kombat II film sequel is kicking into higher gear and during the final kountdown for the first official sequel they've released sixteen character posters spotlighting the new & returning kombatants coming to the big screen later this year. Take a look at the selection of characters:

Revealed one by one during a live-stream countdown that allowed fans to choose their destiny by voting for Earthrealm or Outworld character reveals; the roster of posters showcases everyone from Kitana and Johnny Cage, to villains like Noob Saibot, Baraka, and Shao Kahn. Examine them more closely by clicking thumbnails in the gallery below.

How do these renditions of your favourite characters stack up? What are your expectations from the upcoming movie? Share your first reactions to the posters in the comments below and dig deeper into the cinematic adaptation in the Media & Merchandise category!

Johnny Cage is BACK -- in another in-fiction movie poster promoting Mortal Kombat II. The live-action theatrical sequel will release its first official trailer tomorrow, but before it does, you can enjoy another sneaky peek at Karl Urban as the tongue-in-cheek action moviestar who boasts some bold credits on his IMDB page. Take a closer look:

Update: Posters are great - but how about a fake trailer to whet your appetite? Karl Urban makes his most convincing case yet as the martial artist moviestar in this mock trailer for Uncaged Fury -- with attire that evokes klassic Cage!

Cage channels his best Tom Cruise on another poster for Uncaged Fury -- one of the many theatrical masterpieces John Carlton (stage name Johnny Cage) lists on his fictional Internet Movie Database page, which can also be seen by scrolling below the Mission: Impossible inspired poster.

Uncaged Fury must be a favourite of the filmmakers: a previously released fake poster gave us our first look at Karl Urban in the iconic sunglasses, which, according to IMDB Frequently Asked Questions, are expensive, price not listed. An ad on the site does suggest that Uncaged Fury sunglasses are sweat-proof, shatter-proof, and cry-resistant though.

Urban's arrival as Johnny has been a much-hyped piece of the sequel to the 2021 live-action reboot, which had controversially omitted the classic original MK character from its pre-tournament plot. The sequel will not only tackle the inciting event, but also unfold the action into Outworld. You can see Johnny, Kitana, and Shao Kahn in preview imaged released to Entertainment Weekly.

The theatrical trailer drops tomorrow, July 17th, at 8:05am PST/11:05am EST. Are you excited for the reveal? What do you hope to see in the preview? Share your reactions to all the latest in the comments below and share your movie fandom in the Media & Merchandise category!

For that fan who purged their collection, or just never acquired a full catalogue, HBO Max has some good tidings! The Mortal Kombat movie catalogue has returned to the Warner Bros streamer, offering hours of action in live-action and animated features! Read on for details:

A subscription to HBO Max will once again grant you access to a veritable festival of kombat as seven movies return to the streaming platform. It includes the beloved 1995 Mortal Kombat directed by Paul Anderson, its 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, 2021's live-action Mortal Kombat reboot directed by Simon McQuoid, and four Mortal Kombat Legends animated features!

The MK Legends direct to home media animated films explore an alternate version of the Mortal Kombat timeline beginning with the klassic tournament and rivalries of Scorpion's Revenge, conflict in Outworld and with NetherRealm in Battle of the Realms, post-apocalyptic future ruled by Kano in the Kenshi starring Snow Blind, and 1980s-infused action horror comedy that is Johnny Cage's descent into Hollywood Hell - Cage Match [pictured above].

[Related Article: Warner Bros Games Restructures with Mortal Kombat & DC Divisions]

It's the perfect way to prepare for Mortal Kombat II -- the sequel to 2021's movie franchise re-start that will be released in October. So what will you be watching first? Share your thoughts about the slate in the comments below and delve deeper into MK cinema in the Media & Merchandise category!