Jeri Ryan has been one busy actress...

With a career in film and television spanning twenty years; Ryan has acted in starring roles in many successful primetime dramas, including Dark Skies, Boston Public, Shark, The OC, and Law & Order: SVU. For some, she will be best remembered as the cult sci-fi heroine of more than one hundred episodes -- Seven of Nine, from TV's Star Trek: Voyager. An impressive body of work by any measure, but for fans of a certain conccurently running twenty-year video game franchise, about to pale in comparison to a ten episode, digitally distributed series!

Ryan's association with Mortal Kombat began in June, with the online leak of a high-quality production demo called Mortal Kombat: Rebirth [full story]. The eight minute clip, directed by Kevin Tancharoen (Fame, DanceLife), presented a stark reinterpretation of the MK mythos, with a bent toward over-the-top, gritty urban adaptation. Acting opposite action favourite, Michael Jai White (Spawn, Black Dynamite), during interrogation scenes led by his Jax ; Ryan completed the Special Forces duo as a file wielding, business suited Sonya Blade.

For fans concerned the former Miss Illinois will be a paper pushing wallflower version of the fighting Lieutenant, Jeri Ryan has provided pictorial documentation of her action packed role! Via Twitter, the actress promises "ass is being kicked," showing off battle scars from her kombat experience, which includes kicking the occasional door on the Vancouver location shoot, as well!

Photographs from the Vancouver Abandoned Asylum Set!

With Warner Premiere's official press release describing Rebirth as an "unofficial fan short" [full story], it remains to be seen if the digitally distributed series will relate to Tancharoen's job winning reel, or veer closer to the canon of the video game characters fans "know and love".

When Mortal Kombat Online asked Jeri Ryan if she could give us clues about the nature of her role and it's relation to the games, she said, "Can't tell [you] specifics, but it is BAD ASS."

It's one of several messages from the star, who seems very enthusiastic about the quality of the project and it's action -- which won't just boast kick ass martial arts, but also small munitions!

@JeriLRyan tweets from Mortal Kombat:
"BTW, just finished reading the whole script for Mortal Kombat. Holy crap... I think u might just love it. Get ready..."^[1] "I get to channel my inner action hero. ;-)"^[2] posted February 7.

"Don't have any info yet. Will let u guys know when I do"^[3] posted February 9.

"Def top secret right now. Not supposed to talk about it! :-|"^[4] posted February 10.

"... as I limp around & soak in Epsom salts baths. Being an action hero ain't easy...! ;-)..."^[5] "Ok - the temporary gag is (partially) off! I can start tweeting about Mortal Kombat. I will tell u this: Ass is being kicked."^[6] "Jeri Ryan returns to sci-fi to kick some ass in Mortal Kombat http://t.co/jhwm3k8 via @blastr"^[7] "My action face ;-) http://yfrog.com/h6v1rxj"^[8] "Just watched a crazy-awesome special fx shot! Just wait, gang...just wait. #mortalkombat #awesome"^[9] "Ok, off to bed now. Up early for more fun with Sonya Blade. ;-) ..."^[10] posted February 11.

"Ooooookay then...So, we're shooting in a mental institution which is apparently haunted. Had 5 separate crew members warn me already. Cool."^[11] "In other words, another day at the office."^[12] "So how's your day...? http://yfrog.com/h4unxmjj"^[13] "Wow. Another first. Never had fake pit-sweat added before. It's a glamorous life, folks."^[14] "Wrapped early tonight! Sadly, no ghost sightings, but I did get to kick a door in, so that made up for it. ;-) http://yfrog.com/h4rhrbvj"^[15] posted February 12.

Jeri Ryan isn't the only member of the Mortal Kombat crew posting their experiences on Twitter! Vancouver based Director of Photography, C. Kim Miles (@VancouverDP) adds a tantalizing tease about the series' action...

"Fight choreography is looking FANTASTIC! Mortal Kombat begins tomorrow!!!" "Rushing headlong into MK day 3. Gunfire, grenades, martial arts, Michael Jai White and Jeri Ryan. Oh yeah..."

We can report that Leslie Cairns (@BuggyBag), costume maker for the project, has also confirmed the inclusion of Sindel in the series! She made reference to constructing costumes for the "Queen" in one of her posts [based on designs by Alissa Swanson], clarifying the position in a later response. Does this confirm an Edenia similar to the one of the games? That information is yet to present itself.

Warner Premiere today announced development of a live-action digital series based on the best-selling Mortal Kombat videogame franchise. Directed by Kevin Tancharoen, known for his popular unofficial fan short Mortal Kombat: Rebirth which garnered over 10 million views online, and in conjunction with the upcoming Mortal Kombat videogame, this action-packed, digital series will take gamers deep into the history of warriors they know and love such as Scorpion, Johnny Cage and Liu Kang. Shooting for the digital series will take place in Vancouver starting in early February.

Available this spring through online digital retailers from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, the Mortal Kombat digital series is an anthology of multiple live action shorts, each providing never-before-revealed insights into characters featured in the upcoming videogame as well as the game’s universe. Additional details, including casting, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Update Feb. 14: A battle damaged Jeri Ryan appears with Vancouver TV personality, Victor Lucas, in the latest MK set photo from the Twittverse. Lucas [pictured above] is a host and co-producer for video game programme, The Electric Playground, making it reasonable to suspect the Vancouver Mortal Kombat shoot might get a feature on the show, in the near future.

With a yet to be revealed title, the ten episode live-action series will be released digitally in April, to coincide with the release of the new game on April 19. Like Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors [full story], the series will likely be available through iTunes and Amazon.

To keep up to date with Mortal Kombat Online stories, follow us on Twitter, @MK_Online!
Features include the official announcement of the live-action series, recent online release of screenshots of Sindel, as well as the 2010 magazine reveal of Sonya Blade. MKO will continue to report details about the series, as they become available.

Update Feb. 13: Warner Premiere have released a second press release for the series, announcing Darren Shahlavi as Kano, along with an apparently adjectiveless working title of Mortal Kombat. Follow the full story on MKO for details.

It was in 1993, on the back of the success of the original Mortal Kombat, that two Belgian electronica artists set about creating a dance anthem inspired by the game. Techno Syndrome, in it's varied mixes, has gone on to be one of the most memorable novelty songs of it's time, popularized through use in the 1995 Mortal Kombat feature film [coming to BluRay in April], as well as television marketing for home console release of the games prior to the movie, and pop culture references following. It was even included as bonus material in Sega CD releases of the game.

Oliver Adams and Maurice Engelen (Praga Khan) -- who were well known at the time for their work as part of the Industrial Techno collective, Lords of Acid -- were tapped by Virgin Records America to produce a complete concept album as soundtrack to the game as The Immortals.

Mortal Kombat: The Album was released subsequently in 1994, featuring ten original tracks inspired by the game and it's seven playable characters. Shang Tsung was notably the only character to go without a song; the rest of the cast, (including famous sub-boss, Goro), benefitting from high energy dance tracks, with descriptive titles and lyrics based on characters' biographies. Original tracks, Techno Syndrome and Hypnotic House, even boast soundbytes from the Sega version of the game, said to have been provided for the album.

In 2011, Warner Brothers' WaterTower Music will team with Teenage Riot Records to continue this MK musical tradition, producing a soundtrack for a new generation and a new game -- Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors!

Executive produced by Teenage Riot co-founder, JFK (of MSTRKRFT); the album is set to provide a contemporary take on the soundtrack concept, providing a more subtle source of inspiration in the mix, drawing from various styles to deliver an album of tracks "Inspired by the Warriors".

A complete tracklisting is yet to be made available, but music from the album has already been featured in character vignettes for Mileena, and most recently, Liu Kang. These singles, performed by Tokimonsta and Congorock, have been made avaialble for pre-release download on Amazon ($0.99) and iTunes ($1.29), along with Sub-Zero's theme.

• Mileena's Theme by Tokimonsta (3:28) [Amazon/iTunes]
• Sub-Zero's Theme (Helado) by Harvard Bass (7:21) [Amazon/iTunes]
• Liu Kang's Theme by Congorock (3:42) [Amazon/iTunes]

Update: WaterTower Music have issued a press release for the new singles, confirming an album release date April 5. No additional information is provided concerning the complete tracklist.

WaterTower Music and Teenage Riot Records are excited to announce the upcoming album Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors. Set for release this spring, this all-new collection of music is executive produced by JFK (of the innovative DJ/production duo MSTRKRFT and Death From Above 1979) and is made up of songs inspired by the iconic warriors from the acclaimed fighting game Mortal Kombat. JFK has hand selected songs by some of electronic music’s most resonant names, and the resulting compilation plays as a cohesive album that adds an engaging element to the latest edition of the iconic video game.

Mortal Kombat Online will endeavor to bring you more details about the album, set for release in April, as information becomes available. Keep abreast of all the latest news and stories by following us on Twitter @MK_Online!

Gamespot have exclusively revealed the first-look at number four in a series of character vignettes, each designed to spotlight the backstory of classic fighters in the lead up to entering Mortal Kombat!

• Liu Kang Character Vignette

Liu Kang is featured this time, lamenting on his training as a child with Shaolin Monk, to his special mastery under the Outworld-born master, Bo' Rai Cho (introduced to the canon in Deadly Alliance). Referencing his relationship with Raiden, the vignette appears to retain the expectation of Liu Kang as Earthrealm's greatest warrior and eventual champion.

As a young orphan, Liu Kang was trained by monks, ultimately becoming a Shaolin expert under Master Bo' Rai Cho. Assisted by the God of Thunder; Liu Kang is Earthrealm's best hope for freedom -- and survival! Liu Kang is destined to reach the final challenge and become the champion of Mortal Kombat!

The debut of a Mortal Kombat 3 inspired Kano and a newly designed, youthful Shang Tsung, who most resembles his Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe incarnation, allows Liu Kang to showcase his many trademark moves. Kang's Dragon Flame, Bicycle Kick, and Teleport are all demonstrated on an MK3 inspired post-invasion Rooftop stage, along with what appears to be a new flaming fist chest plunge fatality, which also appeared in the recent Facebook Wallpaper.

Given that Shang Tsung appears disguised as Reptile during a cartoon reveal sequence in the vignette, it rekindles question about whether or not the sorcerer will regain his ability to morph into other characters. Shang lost this playable ability when the series made the transition to 3D graphics.

This is the first promotional material to end with the bookend commercial trailer, recently revealed on Mortal Kombat Online [full story]. You can also find the previous character vignettes on MKO: #1 Scorpion, #2 Sub-Zero, #3 Mileena.

Mortal Kombat will be relased April 19 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and is available in standard and kollector's editions [PAL]. The video also features a distinctly Chinese inspired audio track, likely to be featured on the upcoming concept album, Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors. The album [full story] is also expected in April, from WaterTower Music.

Update: Liu Kang's theme, performed by Congorock, is now available for download on Amazon and iTunes. You can also find themes for Mileena and Sub-Zero. MKO will continue to follow the album story as it unfolds.

It was another scoop from our friends in Russia, this time a collection of screenshots previously exclusive to print domains. 1C.ru have six previously embargoed in-game screen grabs showcasing the lush background environments from the new game, as well as some of it's classic characters in not-yet seen classic poses!

These screenshots mark the first widely available viewing of Queen Sindel -- the Edenian royal who became Shao Kahn's bride and took her own life. Given the new games retro setting, we can be sure Sindel will be right in the heart of the action as the game revisits storylines leading up to and including Mortal Kombat 3!

Sindel's Banshee Scream is on display in the shots, along with classic special moves belonging to Sonya, Jax, Scorpion, and perhaps Ermac -- who is another of the returning characters yet to be showcased extensively.

Thanks to forum member for tipping us off. If you think you have news, we'd love to hear about it! You can also follow MKO on Twitter @MK_Online!

Mortal Kombat is the new game from NetherRealm Studios, to be released April 19 in the US for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in standard and kollectors editions. For International release information, follow this story.

Not much is being said about alternate game modes for the upcoming Mortal Kombat. That being recognized, there was a tweet on Ed Boon's Twitter page acknowledging that some "cool stuff" is involved, though nothing concrete has been said. With all this to consider, we thought it would be appropriate to debut the first Mortal Kombat Online video podcast, containing not only a retrospective on alternate game modes throughout MK's history, but also some speculation on what's to come.

You can watch the video feature in the window below:



To preview the video, we have supplied the following thumbnails: To view the video directly on YouTube, click here. Feedback from the community is always welcome – what minigames or alternate game modes would YOU like to see in future Mortal Kombat games?