Last week Mortal Kombat announced itself as a violent force to be reckoned with in the first red band trailer. The decidedly R rated preview quickly became a global trending phenomenon and has reportedly gone on to break viewing records, as well! Read on for details:
Warner Bros Prictures announced the accolade with a compilation video showing some of the fan reactions recorded to YouTube and social media. The highlights punctuate the trailer's most violent moments with over-the-top animated reactions recorded in multiple languages.
The exact metric for the record is somewhat unclear, with Deadline reporting a nebulous figure of 116 million views in the first week. Warner Brothers supplied the trailer to various hosting outlets, including Mortal Kombat Online.
The record challenges other R rated franchise rivals who've found broad, mainstream support in recent years. Fellow New Line Cinema release IT currently has 61.7 million views for the official 2017 teaser, and HBO Max re-release Zack Snyder's Justice League has earned 19.5 million from its first week.
20th Century Fox has yielded 48.6 million views for its adaptation of Marvel Comics "Merc with a Mouth" in Deadpool 2, with 32.7 million for 20 6 Wolverine swansong Logan. Although all R rated films on release, the trailers were not necessarily red band and would not clash with the qualified record.
Mortal Kombat arrives in limited theatrical and HBO Max streaming release on April 16th. Download the MKO App via App Store and Google Play to subscribe to the release day event and receive notifications to your device! Share your reactions to the latest news with die hard fans in the Media & Merchandise forum!
The weird world of Funko's super-deformed collectible vinyl dolls is about to expand with a limited release unmasked Mileena! The newest Mortal Kombat Pop! will be a store exclusive. Read on for details:
Inspired by her appearance in Mortal Kombat X, the toothy unmasked Mileena is available only at Gamestop. You can pre-order now for $11.99 ahead of an expected March 12th release.
Arcade1Up have established a name as a leader in the retro home arcade business -- and they've just announced an expansion to their recent catalogue that's packing a whole lot of Midway arcade treasures into a single klassic cabinet! Read on for details:
The machine also packs in other legendary Midway arcade titles from the 80s and 90s: Joust, Defender, Rampage, Gauntlet, Paperboy, Rootbeer Tapper, Bubbles, Toobin, and Wizard of Wor. Each game is easily switched to via navigation options built into the machine using a 17" LCD monitor under the light-up Mortal Kombat II marquee!
Specifications
Custom shaped "Cabinet" design
12 Games in 1
17" Color LCD screen
Custom Riser
Light-Up Marquee
Printed Coin Door Graphic Kickplate
Assembled Dimensions: 22.75” D x 19” W x 57.8” H (45.8” H without riser)
Box dimensions (D x W x H) (6.75” x 47.75” x 23.75”)
Weight: 79.5lbs
Real-Feel Arcade Controls
Coinless operation
Adjustable Variable Volume
Clear Deck Protector
Anti-Tip Over Strap
On-Screen Game Selection Menu
In Game Settings Menu
Plugs into an AC outlet
Easy Assembly
By Tastemakers, LLC
Fully Licensed
Arcade1Up haven't published a recommended retail price or reelease date for the Midway Legacy Edition, but a similar Capcom 12-in-1 cabinet is coming March for $399.99. This is only an example.
Does this bring back nostalgic memories or will it be your first time? Tell us if you're adding this to your collection in the comments below and go deeper into retro by checking out the 2D Kombat Klassics forum. No quarters required!
The Mortal Kombat red band trailer kicked the doors open on the much anticipated featured film and got the world talking. Now it's director Simon McQuoid's turn as he offers insights behind the decision making process in a breakdown of the trailer. Watch and learn here:
The commentary track comes via IGN, who hit pause on scenes so the Australian director can reveal more of what the thought process was beyond devising and creating various aspects of the film.
The director stresses that characters are introduced in very specific ways, citing the trailer's introduction of Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) with a close-up of the icy warrior's pale stare as one of the important scenes. Set during a Special Forces operation in Brazil, it's intended to show the villainous Bi-Han as sudden and scary.
The scene leads to Jax (Mehcad Brooks) losing his arms to a shattering frost necessitating robotic limbs. MK3 introduced the character's trademark cybernetic arms as voluntary "implants" received to prepare for future Outworld attacks. McQuoid expresses awarness of Ermac removing his arms in 2011's reboot timeline, and other multimedia adaptations, feeling it gave them license to invent a new version, despite a desire for fidelity to canon.
In addressing controversial new creation Cole Young (Lewis Tan), McQuoid again looks to perceived inconsistency in the games for affording license. This time, the addition of new characters in video game series sequels was seen as affording license for the creation of a new protagonist in the cinematic adaptation. Cole is intended to serve the conventional role of a point-of-view entry character who will learn about the world as the audience does.
The influence of past multimedia adaptations on the new film is apparent in both content and reference. McQuoid notes the film uses the "classic set" of characters, with the addition of Kung Lao (Max Huang), referring to the cast of the 1995 feature film directed by Paul WS Anderson.
He describes the balance of comedy and violence in the Mortal Kombat series, as well as its attention to world building, noting the challenges and importance of balancing the elements. The film will seek to have an "authentic, brutal, real quality" so fans and newcomers can believe in the world.
Kano (Josh Lawson) will inject humor into the film, utilizing improvisations by the comic actor known from Anchorman 2 and Australian improv show Thank God You're Here. His rivalry with Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) will also run through the course of the film.
The commentary confirms Mileena (Sisi Stringer) is approaching a wasteland of Outworld in the trailer. The sparse landscape is a disused coal mine in Australia that was largely left as-filmed for the sake of "realism and authenticity" [pictured below]. Although Outworld has typically been a fantastical reality in games, the director didn't want a "VFX feel", opting for less intrusive enhancements.
The director also described a sense of reality as being important to the rsearch and development of designs for the characters. Kung Lao's hat was intended to look like the well known game design, going through multiple iterations to account for how it sat on the actor, and comfort.
Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) will be "born" through the opening scenes in feudal Japan, which influenced his design and the infusing of samurai elements. The actor's role in infusing the character with Japanese historic reference was elaborated upon in a recent interview.
Creating Goro required more anatomical consideration for visual effects artists who had to create a practical design for the hulking four-armed warrior. McQuoid couldn't explain the klassic Champion's role in the movie, but expressed happiness with the finished product -- one of the most exciting reveals from the trailer.
R-rated violence and gore has been a much discussed element of a new live-action adaptation, and the director reveals that even the studio was behind the decision from inception. The challenge was navigating ratings restrictions, which was helped by narrative context and the experience of producer Bennett Walsh, who was also an executive producer on both volumes of Kill Bill.
The note about fatalities was inspired by Kano's heart ripping finisher seen towards the end of the trailer. There was no confirmation on the identity of the creature he defeated, which some have speculated could be Reptile. The director also did not comment on an earlier scene, which appears to show the lizard warrior in partial camouflage.
Did the director's commentary further enhance your understanding of what's to come? Mortal Kombat arrives in limited theatrical release and on HBO Max on April 16th. Download the MKO App via App Store or Google Play to subscribe to the release day event and receive notifications! Find more stories & discussion in the Media & Merchandise forum!
Hiroyuki Sanada is one of the established stars set to feature in Mortal Kombat. An accomplished Japanese actor of screen and stage, he was well prepared to take on the fighting role of Scorpion, but as he revealed in an EW interview, there were still some challenges involved. Read on:
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Sanada admitted he wasn't particularly familiar with Scorpion or the Mortal Kombat games prior to taking the role. That didn't stop him enjoying the character's trademark catchphrases though, which set the cast & crew on a roar: "When I performed that signature move with the words in the rehearsal on set for the first time, I had a great reaction..."
Shouting "come here" was just part of his research into the character, which he understood would be scrutinized by fans who "know his weapons and style". While familiarizing himself with the character's history and moves, Sanada also made efforts to infuse his behaviour with genuine Japanese flourish.
"I discussed the fighting style with the choreographer and the stunt team and just jumped into rehearsal," he says. "I tried to create an original style. Since Hanzo Hasashi is a character of Japanese descent, I tried to make authentic movements."
Sanada will play two incarnations of the character, beginning with a ten-minute opening scene, previously revealed by EW, set in feudal Japan. Featured extensively in the red band trailer, it pits Hanzo Hasashi against assassins from the Lin Kuei, presumably leading to his death at the hands of Joe Taslim, who plays Bi-Han - Sub-Zero.
The deviation from established video game canon, which presents the murder as recent history, is similar to the Mortal Kombat: Legacy webseries.
Both of the iconic characters will return hundreds of years later to carry on their vengeful feud in the present day. Scorpion's transformation was one of the aspects that attracted Sanada to the role. He described it as "very tasty" to go from "family man to fighting machine". A blend of "family drama with exceedingly brutal fighting" that also piqued his interest.
"Each fight has a reason with the emotion," he says. "The audience can understand why he's fighting, what he's thinking during the fight."
The 60 year old actor boasted that Scorpion wasn't as physically demanding as some of his samurai roles in the 1980s, but demanded more than some of his well known recent movies, such as The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, and 47 Ronin.
EW also revealed a first-look at Hiroyuki Sanada surrounded by flame as the infernal Scorpion. The striking image appeared in the red band trailer, and was also one of the screenshots released to MK Online by Warner Brothers.
Mortal Kombat is officially released to limited theatres and HBO Max on April 16th. Download the MKO App via App Store or Google Play to subscribe to the release day event and share your comments below. Find & discuss more movie news in the Media & Merchandise forum!
The Mortal Kombat red band trailer has got everybody talking about the upcoming live-action reboot. Along with the official trailer: Warner Brothers has supplied MK Online with high quality official promotional stills that capture the characters and moments from the action-packed preview. Take a look:
Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim as Bi-Han) catches point blank gunfire in rapidly forming ice in one of the most dramatic scenes taken from the trailer. The inventive use of the Lin Kuei warrior's powers are a precursor to the explosive destruction of the gunman's arms!
The thunder god [pictured below] stands dramatically surrounded by crackling lightning in a rain sodden forest. It's one of the exciting images that passes all too quickly in the trailer, showing Raiden's full design with layered white and dark cloth. Some of the decorative elements can be seen more clearly in promotional character posters.
Mortal Kombat receives limited theatrical release and a simultaneous HBO Max premiere starting April 16th. Subscribe to the calendar event and download the MKO App via App Store or Google Play to receive notification updates about news and the day of release!
What do you think about the characters featured in still shots? Share your thoughts in the comments below and find & discuss more movie topics in the Media & Merchandise forum!
An early start for the Mortal Kombat red band trailer created a worldwide sensation as reactions to the violent preview launched "Mortal Kombat" to the top of Twitter's global trends. The trailer made international headlines and sparked tens of thousands of tweets as people had their say.
US political scandal topped the list, with Mortal Kombat contending with various sporting codes for the Top 5 spots. Pictured at the 5th highest subject [above]; MK reached at least 4th in the Twitter algorithm's most discussed topics. This is distinct from the tailored "Trends For You" recommended to users based on preference.
Reactions were mixed to positive, with many won over by the much-touted R rated violence and fatalities. Deviations from the source material remain an unavoidable topic at the film's core, but the spectacle of seeing characters in live-action, recreating iconic attacks, has cooled some tempers.
It wouldn't be social media without a pervasive meme, and pop culture commentary site Jezebel got everybody laughing with a confused hit piece criticizing the movie for omitting Chun-Li -- a popular character from the Street Fighter franchise. The article has since updated with this understanding and was allegedly not a joke.
The Mortal Kombat trailer confirmed the presence of iconic characters like Goro and Reptile, but one fighter from the original game is likely to remain absent, with all signs pointing toward Johnny Cage's omission from the feature.
Immortalize your reactions with more permanence by commenting on stories in the Media & Merchandise forum. You can also follow MK Online on Twitter and interact on the go by dowloading the MKO App via the App Store and Google Play. Subscribe to the MK Movie Release Event to receive notification as we countdown to April 16th.
The legendary rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero continues in a newly released poster for the upcoming Mortal Kombat movie reboot. Their battle unfolds across two eras in the first red band trailer for the April release. Check out the full poster right here:
Fire & ice are two halves of the same coin on the new poster, which features Hiroyuki Sanada and Joe Taslim as the movie's iconic masked warriors. Their designs were recently featured in a series of character spotlight posters.
How do you like the dramatic new poster? Share your thoughts in the comments below and download the MKO App via App Store & Google Play to receive notices when you subscribe to the calendar event! Like and discuss more stories in the Media & Merchandise forum!,/p>
A series of posters introduced the warriors: now see them in action in the first Mortal Kombat movie trailer! Be warned: they aren't pulling their punches. The trailer contains depictions of extreme violence and a whole lot of spoilers! Watch:
The trailer immediately announces the new movie's R-rated violence with a showdown between Jackson Briggs (Mehcad Brooks) and Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim). The Lin Kuei warrior catches gunfire in crystals of ice as it leaves the soldier's barrel -- and freezes both of his arms to shatter them for a violent origin behind Jax's iconic cyborg arms!
Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) schools new character Cole Young (Lewis Tan) on the supernatural nature of his dragon-shaped birthmark -- shared by an unseen opponent. It appears he has been chosen to compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament, and a fiery vision of Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) may reveal his hidden heritage.
More of the opening-scene glimpsed in HBO Max trailers shows mortal Hanzo Hasashi wielding his trademark Scorpion's spear against what seems to be Lin Kuei attackers. He returns later in the trailer for a showdown with rival Sub-Zero, and to growl his immortal line : "Get over here!"
Shang Tsung (Chin Han) appears to meet with Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) in the location of one of Sub-Zero's earlier modern-day attacks. It evokes the character's classic early encounter in the 1995 film, as does Raiden's role as an encouraging mentor for Earthrealm's tournament competitors. His lightning casts a dramatic light over the gathered defenders.
The action-packed trailer shows plenty of fighting, from Raiden's temple of training, to the tournament itself. Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) wields the dragon's flame, conjuring it against what appears to be Kabal (Daniel Nelson). We see Kung Lao (Max Huang) deflecting Kano (Josh Lawson)'s eye laser with his hat, and unleashing a jumping kick against Cole. It also appears it may be an armored Cole Young facing the leaping wrath of Goro!
Jax also launches himself at an unidentified big man wearing armor reminiscent of Reiko, while Sonya mixes it up with Mileena (Sisi Stringer), Kano, and uses her pulse blast against a darkly dressed fighter that could be Nitara (Elissa Cadwell).
The trailer includes several welcome references to klassic game characters as yet unconfirmed. A painted tablet seems to depict Earthrealm's former champion Great Kung Lao, while a statue brings Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn into ominous view. Look closely and you'll also notice what may be Reptile materializing overhead in Sonya's bunker.
Mortal Kombat arrives in limited theatrical release and streaming to HBO Max on April 16th! Subscribe to the release day calendar event and download the MKO App via App Store or Google Play to receive notifications! Like and comment this story below and discuss more movie news in the Media & Merchandise forum!
Actor Chin Han is well recognized from movies like The Dark Knight and Contagion, but he's taking on his most iconic role when he becomes Shang Tsung in two months. He discussed becoming a sorcerer for Mortal Kombat in a recent interview ahead of the first trailer. Read on:
The GamesRadar interview spotlights the newly revealed armor Chin Han will wear as a unique feature of the new movie. The actor revealed the sense of power his bespoke wardrobe provided -- a key differentiating touch from previous incarnations, in both film and video games.
I felt powerful in that costume. It’s very flexible for fighting but, at the same time, it’s like wearing armor. It was a very dark, sinister, fun costume befitting of the character. To say much more would give things away.
The Singaporean actor was careful to avoiding spoiling much about his scarcely seen starring villain, allowing the interview to probe his personal history with the series, which included playing the early arcade installments, and enjoying the 1995 film which featured the iconic portrayal by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa.
Tagawa recently returned in Mortal Kombat 11, and although early impressions of the movie veer significantly from the source material, Chin Han indicates moves from the game were considered when creating an eclectic fighting style for his portrayal.
I’ve had training on other movies like Marco Polo with martial arts. More military operative training for Ghost in the Shell. But this is nothing like I’ve done before because the moves are really so iconic. You have to incorporate the iconic moves into actual fighting styles. That’s where it’s interesting. All the various forms of fighting merge in this film, which makes it so interesting. Joe Taslim [Sub-Zero] with his judo training, Lewis Tan [Cole Young] with his muay thai, and Max Huang [Kung Lao] with his wushu. For myself, I had to bring that all to bear, and obviously, my main source of inspiration is magician David Copperfield with all his magic tricks and sorcery. That’s me being facetious. But [Shang Tsung] is a master of the arts, so there’s that to focus on. There are spells and sorcery in different languages for me to remember. It’s almost like learning a different language, these spells.
On the subject of faithfulness to the character, the actor also confirms Shang Tsung will be a soul-consuming sorcerer with shape-shifting powers. He wouldn't reveal any more about how that is depicted in the movie, though: "That’s giving too much away, but I have to say… he’s a very tricky one. He shows up in places you might not expect. That’s all I’m going to say about him."
Writer Greg Russo went to lengths to stress the inclusion of Outworld, and Chin Han also mentions Netherrealm and Edenia. He does acknowledge that there is a balance to telling a different story in the new movie, which will also star Lewis Tan as original creation and a Shang Tsung target: Cole Young.
It’s such an expansive universe. The lore is so sprawling and it’s so easy to get in over your head as timelines merge, and so that stuff is canon. You have to respect that material, but you also have to respect what [screenplay co-writer] Greg Russo constructed together with Simon McQuoid. We would like to honor the fans first and foremost, but also be able to give them something a little extra – an aspect of the world of Mortal Kombat that they hadn’t necessarily imagined yet.
The upcoming Mortal Kombat movie has scheduled an official unveiling for its long awaited preview trailer this Thursday. The announcement came with posters featuring Sub-Zero and Kano from the movie. Read on to take a look:
The trailer will arrive two months ahead of a simultaneous limited theatrical release and HBO Max premiere on April 16th. Subscribe to the release countdown to count the days and find & discuss more stories from the movie in the Media & Merchandise forum!
Originally launched in conjunction with MKX; Mortal Kombat Mobile has expanded into a unique collection of warriors from the games' arcade history right through to Mortal Kombat 11! The free-to-play app is now asking fans to weigh-in on some of the characters that could appear in the lineup for 2021! Read on for full survey details:
The developer is asking fans to preference 5 characters in a survey that opens the door to many MK11 and Klassic skins, as well as new playable fighters never included in the app, such as Fujin, Rain, and Stryker! The full list appears in random order when voting, but is isolated by game and new additions below:
Who would you like to see next? Share your Top 5 picks from the survey in the comments below and tell us who else you might like to see crossover from previous games!
MK Mobile is free to download & play from on iOS and Android from the App Store and Google Play. You can also download the free MKO App via App Store and Google Play to connect with the site and receive updates to your device! Use it to leave a like & comment for this story below and discover more MKM in the Mortal Kombat 11 forum!
Actor Joe Taslim was the first publicly confirmed casting for the upcoming Mortal Kombat movie reboot, and the actor recently joined The Art of Action to discuss his career, MK, and his thoughts on a new live-action Johnny Cage. Read on for details and video:
Johnny Cage has been notably absent from all official materials released since the casting of Taslim. The movie's screenwriter recently responded to questions about the fan-favourite, ambiguously noting no character has been "forgotten" or "replaced". The quote doesn't directly address his current status, leaving the door open to future appearances.
The Sub-Zero actor added fuel to speculation that Johnny Cage won't appear in the April release when he expressed a desire to see Art of Action host, and experienced martial artist and stunt actor, Scott Adkins (Doctor Strange, Ip Man 4) play the role: "... if we have the sequel, I really hope that you'll be a part of it. I really hope that they have to call you, and... Well, this is me, this is only my opinion, but I really hope that you can play Johnny Cage in it."
A first-look preview and official synopsis for the movie have confirmed significant changes to established plot and characters from the long-running game series, including the introduction of a newly created lead protagonist: Cole Young.
Johnny Cage first appeared in the original Mortal Kombat in 1992, remaining a stalwart of the gaming series right through to its most recent installment. His journey has taken him from the MK Shaolin Tournament and fighting Outworld's invasion of Earth, to the ranks of the Special Forces Outer World Investigation Agency.
Mortal Kombat will premiere simultaneously in theatres & streaming to HBO Max on April 16th. Subscribe to the release countdown and join the discussion in the comments below and the Media & Merchandise forum! Special thanks to MK Online user gorostilllives for posting about this story.