No, you didn't stumble back in time. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is the name that jumps out immediately in official Mortal Kombat: Legacy casting information, fresh from Warner Brothers!
The Japanese-born actor returns to the role he made famous in the 1995's Mortal Kombat feature film - replacing Johnson Phan as Shang Tsung! Tsung appeared only briefly in a string of Legacy cameos during the first series [Episodes 3, 4 & 8], but with a penchant for taking the forms of others, you've got to think this is one of the least jarring of the casting changes.
Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers) and Mark Dacascos (Double Dragon) add more nineties Hollywood nostalgia to the list, joining the series as Johnny Cage and Kung Lao, respectively. This will be the first time Kung Lao makes it to a live-action adaptation, one of the few Mortal Kombat II characters to remain untouched by film. His ancient ancestor was the primary focus of the short-lived Mortal Kombat: Conquest series.
The live-action cast of Mortal Kombat: Legacy has added another actor to the second series: Harry Shum Jr confirming his presence on set in the latest news from twitter!
As Mortal Kombat: Legacy enters its second series, official casting details remain scarce and enshrouded in rumor. Regrettably, we've learned of another actors exit as Jeri Ryan confirms she will not be returning to reprise her role as Sonya Blade!
@kitana_mk2013 Sorry, not doing Season 2. Still shooting season 3 of Body of Proof.
— Jeri Ryan (@JeriLRyan) November 29, 2012
The starring actress cites commitments to ABC drama Body of Proof as the reason for her departure. Filming for Legacy's second series began November 28 [full story], with Ian Anthony Dale making his return as Scorpion.
Ryan was among the first and most public members of the Legacy cast, teasing her involvement in a tweet as early as January, 2011. It was the first of many posts by the prolific micro-blogger (@JeriLRyan), who shared pictures from the set, and was spotlit as a primary source for Mortal Kombat Online throughout initial coverage. Hers was the responsibility of going on first, starring in Episodes 1 and 2, opposite Michael Jai White and Darren Shahlavi.
Ryan may not be the only casualty from the first series. Matt Mullins (Johnny Cage) seems to have bid his farewell in a recent message to the cast. Both actors made waves with their appearance in Rebirth -- the bootleg short that earned Kevin Tancharoen his role as Director, before they were recast for the series. Tahmoh Penikett, who appeared briefly in Legacy as a protocol appreciating Stryker, will also not return.
Jeri Ryan on the set of MK Legacy with Director Kevin Tancharoen
With filming of the second series of Mortal Kombat: Legacy officially underway [full story], the news and rumors are coming thick and fast. Dan Southworth joins the cast and crew on set tomorrow (November 30), confirming his pending involvement in a tweet response.
It's all systems go as the cast and crew responsible for Mortal Kombat: Legacy begin filming the second series!
Bloody Disgusting broke the November 28 start date earlier in the month, confirmed in a tweet by Ian Anthony Dale. The actor was there to reprise his role as Hanzo Hasashi - yellow-clad Shirai Ryu warrior better known the world over as Scorpion!
Rise & shine. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Here we go people. Day one of filming on #MortalKombatLegacy2 begins...............right now!
— Ian Anthony Dale (@IanAnthonyDale) November 28, 2012
The second series of Legacy was announced back in July in a video post by director Kevin Tancharoen. He confirmed the second web instalment will tackle the Shaolin Tournament itself, boasting an extended cast of characters to include: Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Ermac and Kenshi!
A regular on Twitter (@KTANCH); the director has shared sporradic tidbits about the series and feature film, most recently posting images from location scouting for the show [below]. In July, he revealed the series will not affect the feature film.
