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Jeri Ryan Not Returning for MK Legacy Series 2

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!

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

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Episode #2

Following up last week's debut of Mortal Kombat: Legacy on Machinima, this week continued the storyline introduced in episode 1.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Episode #1 - Watch Now Online

After many months of waiting, Kevin Tanchaeron's digital series Mortal Kombat: Legacy has made its debut on Machinima's Youtube channel.

Warner Announces MK Digital Series Actors!

While Jeri Ryan has thoroughly confirmed her involvement (as Sonya Blade) through frequent activity on her Twitter account [full story], a full press release from Warner Premiere has reconfirmed the return of of Michael Jai White (Spawn, The Dark Knight) as Major Jackson "Jax" Briggs, along with English actor, Darren Shahlavi, in the upcoming digitally distributed series, Mortal Kombat.

WB's press release for the Mortal Kombat digital series project is featured in full below:

Warner Premiere today announced initial casting for their upcoming live-action digital new media series "Mortal Kombat" which is based on the iconic gaming franchise. Jeri Ryan, ("Star Trek: Voyager") will reprise her role as the headstrong "Lieutenant Sonya Blade” from the unofficial fan short. She is joined by Michael Jai White ("The Dark Knight") as "Major Jackson 'Jax' Briggs" and Darren Shahlavi ("300") as the sly and cunning "Kano."

Kevin Tancharoen who directed and produced the popular, unofficial "Mortal Kombat: Rebirth" fan short (watch below) that garnered over 10 million views worldwide, is bringing the same immersive directing style to this live-action digital new media series. Fans will be able to delve deep into the history of the warriors they know and love including "Sub-Zero" and "Scorpion." Shooting for "Mortal Kombat" is currently underway in Vancouver.

"It's extremely gratifying to have such talented actors playing these iconic roles," said Kevin Tancharoen, Director, Producer and Co-Writer of "Mortal Kombat." "They will bring the essence of 'Mortal Kombat' to life and gamers will be deeply immersed into the game's universe."

"Mortal Kombat" is one of the most celebrated videogame franchises of all time. Since its debut in 1992, it has spawned four arcade games, multiple console-based videogame titles, two movies ("Mortal Kombat" and "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation"), two television series and an animated prequel. Additionally, a new "Mortal Kombat" video game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. will be available April 19, 2011 on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Written by Kevin Tancharoen, Aaron Helbing and Todd Helbing, and available online this spring from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, the "Mortal Kombat" digital new media series is an anthology of multiple live action shorts. Each episode will provide never-before-revealed insights into characters featured in the upcoming videogame as well as the game's universe.

"Mortal Kombat," the newest chapter of the award-winning videogame franchise, will be on store shelves starting April 19th, 2011. Marking a triumphant return to the series' mature presentation and a reinvention of its classic 2D fighting mechanic, "Mortal Kombat" will introduce a number of new game-play features including tag team, a deeper story mode and nostalgic online and offline arcade battles. Players will be able to choose from an extensive lineup of iconic warriors and challenge their friends in head-to-head competition as well as several new game modes.

Darren Shahlavi, confirmed to star as longtime rival of Jax and Sonya, Kano, is an English actor featured in films such as 300 and Ip Man 2. In addition, he's no stranger to films video games, having appeared in both Alone in the Dark and BloodRayne, as well as providing motion capture for titles such as GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Dragon Age: Origins, and EA Sports MMA. Shahlavi's martial arts credentials follow up on the emphasis on action from many crew members, which include hints that the longtime rivalry between Kano and Sonya will continue in this project.


Darren Shahlavi in the 2010 Hong Kong feature, Ip Man 2

Update Feb. 14: Ian Anthony Dale, on break from filming TV series The Event, has joined the Twitter stampede. The actor will step into the covetted role of Hanzo Hasashi -- the ninja who, in the games, becomes Scorpion. On his transition, Dale notes:

After a week of awesome shooting on #theevent I am back to obsessing over my Japanese for #MortalKombat. Got to be perfect.

Update Feb. 14: A battle damaged Jeri Ryan appears with Vancouver TV personality, Victor Lucas, in the latest MK set photos from the Twittverse! Ryan herself also provides a great shot from the smokey set, kitted out for action as Sonya Blade!

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