All these characters are very strong characters. If they all make it, along with a good new and creative roster, MK will have nothing lacking in terms of characters. Agreed.

Here are mine...for the exception of Sub and Scorp who are with out a doubt in already.

Nightwolf
Drahmin
Kira
Ashrah
Raiden
Shinnok
Frost
Kenshi
Havik
Tanya

Unlockables include: Smoke(human/cyborg), Noob, Reiko, Reptile(Human).

Obviously I know that most of these characters will not return, so I'm not getting my hopes up!

I personally don't think Scorpion should return, and instead we should get a new badass of Japanese ninja origin, but alas, Scorpion will be back.

Personally, I think the following should be the returning cast, filtered through a sad veil of realism:

Sub-Zero
Scorpion (I don't want him, but he's pretty much confirmed)
Sonya Blade
Johnny Cage
Fujin
Kitana
Taven
Noob Saibot
Shao Kahn
Kenshi

There are ten characters for you. Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage make great supporting protagonists, especially now that Cage has his new hero sense, and Sonya is the original female of Mortal Kombat.

Raiden should be gone, I'm sorry. I don't see where they can take the character. Make him evil? Make him good again? Keep him insane? It's very limiting, really. I'd rather they have him make a noble sacrifice, or disappear during the chaos of Armageddon, and appoint Fujin as the new guardian of Earthrealm. Either that, or a new character. I'd actually go with the new character, personally.

Kitana is an iconic female fighter, who still means a lot to the series. She represents an entire realm, and given a new fighting system, and maybe a new image, she'd be just a great as ever. She also makes a great protagonist.

Taven is a fairly new character, only being introduced in Armageddon. While he could very easily work out, I think he and Kitana would make a good parallel to the Earthrealm Sonya/Johnny Cage duo. There is still room to explore his character, and you really need someone to provide an answer to Armageddon.

Noob Saibot is back because he's got a really interesting storyline at the moment. In some ways, he's one of the oldest MK characters, and there is a lot of room in this Sub-Zero/Noob Saibot story for development. He makes a find antagonist.

Shao Kahn has never been a playable character in a regular installment of the series. Yes, he in Trilogy, unlockable by cheats and in Armageddon, but those are all kind of "collaboration" games. I'd like to see a story where Shao Kahn is fighting to regain control of Outworld, with him not being this great threat, but rather more an anti-hero of the series. Sure, he's still evil, but if he kills the main threat, more power to him.

Kenshi had a great image, I think. The blindness, the sword, the psychic powers. No offence to Ermac, but his origins are a lot more questionable. Kenshi provides a human face for psychic powers in the series, and I think he would make another great protagonist in the games. He's one of the finer characters from the later part of the previous arc.

I think they are all somewhat realistic picks. Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage, Fujin (maybe), Kenshi, Kitana and Taven would all be on the good side; Shao Kahn and Noob Saibot would be evil, with their own agendas.

I don't really care about Scorpion, but if he is to return, I guess the most logical way is for him to kill Quan Chi, only to discover that Noob Saibot is the man who killed him originally, and he cannot rest while Saibot walks.

It would create another rivalry between Sub-Zero and Scorpion, where only one man can kill the fallen elder Sub-Zero. Then you have Sub-Zero defeat his older brother, banishing him to the Netherrealm, only for Scorpion to realise that he is now stuck in purgatory, and his only hope of seeing his family again...killing Sub-Zero.

I just hope that they don't mess up the storyline.

For me, I'd have about 25 characters or so survive but not return all at once.

For this list, I'll put in 15:

Sub-Zero
Sareena
Ermac
Li Mei
Raiden
Fujin
Kira
Hotaru
Havik
Mileena
Nitara
Ashrah
Drahmin
Kitana
Kung Lao


Then there are some maybe characters, such as Sonya, Taven, Dairou, and Rain who could substitute for characters like Kitana, Kung Lao, and Drahmin.

Either way, I hope they don't get rid of too many characters, but at the same time, I hope they don't bring back too many. Also, they should of course do a good job with the story.

Wow, this cast is hotter than Julz himself

For the most part it's.......sooooorta balanced, but to many of the overused characters IMO

Scorpion and sub-zero, I' not feelin, even though they are the mascots of the game, Raiden should stay, I like what you did with him. Ermac could be used in a productive way, Kitana and Mileena......meh, maybe only one of them should stay, and Kitana has lived way passed her pride, either Kitana leaves of Sindel leaves, and sindel was totally better as an evil bride of the bondage emperor, Reptile should go however, make room for someone else who has so much going for them...like Nitara.

Thinking about it now, I'd probably one side everything as far as the roster.

Ninjas:

1. Scorpion
2. Sub Zero - No connection between them this time around
3. Ermac
4. Noob Saibot or Smoke...leave the other one out
5. Sektor or Cyrax...leave the other one out.

--
Other

6. Raiden - no Zombie Lui Kang, have Raiden talk for him because he's in control anyway. No playable Shinnok.
7. Fujin or Kung Lao...leave the other one out
8. Hotaru and or Havik....they really don't need to effect each other directly this time around.
9. Kai...replace Jax and Darrius as the "black guy" on the roster. We like him better anyway because there's nothing stereotypical about him.
10. Shang Tsung or Quan Chi...leave the other one out.

--
Female:

11. Somebody from the USSF, doesn't need to be Sonya.....give us hmmm...give us someone from the Comic Book Special Forces team. There was a couple really nice females there. REAL MILITARY this time...
12. Kitana, Jade, or Sindel....leave the other ones out.
13. Nitara
14. Sareena

--
Boss//Monsters:

15. Drahmin - No Moloch
16. Hotaru and or Havik....they really don't need to effect each other directly this time around.


And that's all I think should be considered for playable characters from the old roster. Cut 5 or 6 of them for the sake of what they won't help by being there.

For instance, Ermac, the sorcerers, Kitana, and maybe Havik won't really do anything for the story as far as "starting over". Depends alot though.
=============================

I think we should have at least 10 new characters no matter "what" they are. From the old? 2/3 ninjas, at least 1 god, 2/3 females, and 1 monster.

15-20 total that we know right away we can play with.

Possibly 3 secret characters. and a Kreated Kharacter slot.


15-20 total 20-25 max.

i bet we only get about 8 characters. and 2 will be from the old series and the rest new.

Don't dilute yourself. Ed specifically said he would try to introduce as many new characters as possible. No need for falsehoods.

What do you mean hotter than me?

Well, I want these fighters to be back:

Sub-Zero
Scorpion (Instead of him it would be cool to have an apprentice of Scorpion)
Nightwolf
Jax
Kung Lao
Raiden (as an exiled God, like Shinnok or something)
Shao Kahn
Kitana
Sindel
The Sub-Zero/Noob hybrid (we were told that Sub Zero and Noob somehow got combined)
Fujin
Reptile

As of new characters...well we need a new champion right?
I was thinking of a character that he could be the "last member" of the White Lotus Society and Fujin could be his mentor....Like Raiden/Liu Kang

We could also have a new SubBoss a Centaur-Shokan (Think it like Motaro with 4 arms)

And finally a new boss....possibly Taven OR an Elder God

actually i totally agree with you:50% classic characters-50% new characters with strong storyline/like Kenshi and Taven.
totally agree,even tugh i don't see any chance for Shao Kahn to return!

For MK8, I've made my list. . .
-Sub-Zero
-Scorpion
-Sareena
-Kabal
-Dragon Kano
-Human Onaga
-Human Drahmin
-Fujin
-Jade
-Mileena

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Rain?I think he should have a role of importance in MK8;seeing as his MKA ending made some sense.This might just be coming out of my mind in spite,seeing as he is my favorite character;but I'd love to see him as the emperor of Edenia.

We also have yet to see which endings were canon.Does anyone else have any ideas? (As of now.)

His ending seemed to be greatly implied.

Sub-Zero - Should become one of the main heroes.

Sareena - Is will stronger than who she is? She is a creature of evil, but sides with the good guys. Plus she has a good tie in to Sub-Zero.

Kenshi - He can go into areas/realms others can’t, like extremely bright light or he can “see” perfectly in complete darkness.

Noob Saibot - Too much backstory to be wasted, I’m not entirely against him fusing with his former self. He doesn’t have to become Sub-Saibot or something dumb like that. He could go by his birth given name and we could see who this person was before death, but he still has to deal with the demon of Noob Saibot in his soul, conflicting his goals. But keep him evil no matter what.

Raiden - More expansion on why he’s taking such a different approach to defending earth.

Fujin - Due to Raiden’s shift in mind, see what he does to attempt to fix it.

Kitana - Most likely, it’s her time to become the new queen. See if she can handle it, stress has been building.

Sektor - A high tech clan that may be harder to beat than just destroying Sektor.

Hotaru - Reason I don’t see Havik being as necessary is chaos already won, the realms are most likely in complete anarchy. He could have a hell of a time trying to reestablish some form of order.

Taven - I’m indifferent to him, most likely he’ll take the role of Edenia’s protecting god. The god of time perhaps? Being able to manipulate time into slowing down and speeding up.

Here are the reasons why I selected who I did...

*NIGHTWOLF- Nightwolf has been my fave since MK3 and my fave of all-time male character. He was that much better in MKD, and all his specials were cool in both games. I only liked his Shaman Light fatality, but that's besides the point. Nightwolf has a lot of potential and his story could continue in MK8.
*DRAHMIN- He has become a stronger character in MKA, and I can see his story going on and staying strong. Like Nightwolf, I can see that he too has potential. I wasn't too fond of him in MKDA, but I came to like him after playing as him a lot in MKA. Drahmin also has that "demonic" look and that's what I like about him.
*KIRA- She is one of the best female new comers in MKD. I love her cunning ways, and style of choice(hair/clothing). Kira adapted to me by continously playing as her in MKD/MKA. Her specials were totally awesome as her dragon teeth knives. I would like to see Kira and Sonya begin a rivalry, but it won't be bland like Sonya and Kano's was. Their's would be very interesting. *NOTE*; Neither Kira or Sonya will be in no such organization(black dragon nor special forces), which hopefully will be wiped out. Altho Kira would set Sonya straight anyday!
*ASHRAH- This gal came on strong to me in MKD. She became my fave new female kombatant from the game. She also has potential, and a rivalry to be continued with Nitara. Ashrah's story is one of the cool ones in MKD/A. I also like her personality...fierce and vibrant. I'd like her to have her alt for her main costume in MK8.
*RAIDEN- I pretty much think that Raiden should become the main boss in MK8. He has shown and thrown everything he could when he was sided with good! Now with his twisting ways, I say that the role as new Emperor would suit him nicely. Shao Kahn could become a playable character in MK8, to try and regain his role as emperor. IMO.

Those are the first five of ten main charaters. Later comes the other five...then the unlockables! Hope you enjoy the first five!

Well I'd rather have alot more classic characters than newer ones. I havent been a fan of most of the newer characters, except for Li Mei, Frost, Kira.

Id want for the following characters to return:

- Kitana: My fav. character. Id like for her to have shorter hair and be more reminiscent to her MKII character.

- Li Mei: I just had a good time playing with her in the newer games. Plus her slutty persona was great.

- Baraka
- Ermac
- Jade
- Kabal
- Kano
- Mileena
- Quan Chi
- Reiko
- Shinnok
- Sindel
- Scorpion
- Sonya
- Sub-Zero
- Tanya

I personally really like the idea of Kano being the sub-boss in the next installment. It was hinted at that the Red Dragon were experimenting with him, and he became a real dragon, or something of the like. In the story, you just have Taven free Kano, and then Kano sees the Black Dragon and the Red Dragon fighting.

Kano challenges the entire Black Dragon and Red Dragon clans at once, and Mavado knows something is up. Kano transforms into a giant black dragon, and slays Hsu Hao, Kabal, Kira and Kobra with little-to-no effort. Mavado could run for the hills and live to fight another day, or he could also be brutally murdered by Kano.

I think the character needs a proper send-off. He's been in the series since the beginning, and the character has survived through it all (despite two instances where it appeared he was dead). He's often forgotten and left out, but I really think there can be something more epic done with the character.

Make the next game an actual tournament based one, and your character meets Kano in the finals, or unofficially outside the tournament. Usually the sub-boss is somehow connected to the main villain of the game, but in this one, I'd have Kano working completely under his own agenda. He shows up, and challenges you, and you accept. You fight Kano as himself for two rounds, like any other character, but when it comes to the Finish Him screen, Kano begins to laugh maniacally, and transforms into a giant black dragon. You then have to defeat that two rounds, which means, yes, you have to beat Kano four times, which would make it quite a challenging boss fight. You can only lose two times, as per any normal fight.

It's time for the next five......

*SHINNOK- In my opinion, the MK Team has not done much with him literally. Look back to MK4...they didn't really put much into him. His costume was pretty lame and Shinnok himself wasn't well too thought of. Although his moves were ok, I just thought he could of been better personally. I liked what they did with him in MKA tho. He has actual specials at least and revised him a lot. I think that Shinnok deserves another chance, and besides he does have a good storyline/ending. Bring him back!
*FROST- A female with Kori powers...what more can you want? Anyways, I see a lot of potential growing here. I'd like her to become the new Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei(which is doubtful), and bring in a new member of the Lin Kuei. I think Sub-Zero should go his own way, but still contain the Kori powers. I'd also say that he should desend to the heavens, and become a real god, an "Ice God".
*KENSHI- A totally intruging character, which I intend to comply with more during his future appearences. He is also incredible, by being able to see in light and especially in pure darkness. I do like his primary costume and both alts. What I mean is that the primary in MKD/A, then he has the alt in MKA and the other one where he's not wearing his blind fold. His specials are so unbelievable, especially his Tele-Flurry. So, Kenshi...please return!
*HAVIK- Another one of my new fave from MKD. I totally grew to him instantly. I like the whole concept evolving around him. He does have a huge amount of potential, and a great back-story.
*TANYA- I fell in love(not literally) with her in MK4. She became my fave female in that game. 'Til this day, she still is my fave female...probably of all-time. She does have potential like others, but I see that she has a lot more to offer. I'd want her to return the most out of the ladies, because she's that damn good! All hail Tanya!

Stay tuned for the unlockables and a special treat which I can't believe that I'm actually going to talk about!

Here is my list for MK8

Scorpion
Sub-zero (Both Versions)
Kano
Kitana
Chameleon (Male)
Khameleon (Female)
Kung Lao
Stryker
Shao Kahn
Sareena
Mileena
Smoke (Human Like in MKT)
Kreate-A-Kharacter (Way More choices on everything. Everyone's moves, Clothing, & Weapons).
Then The New Kharacters
5 Hidden and unlockable & Playable Kahracters

scorpion
sub-zero
ermac
noob
smoke
sektor
stryker
fujin
mavado
hotaru
nightwolf
cage
kai
kenshi
kung lao
shang tsung
quan chi
raiden
sonya
kitana
mileena
ashrah
nitara
kira
sareena
havik

I like how everyone think Mileena should return.

id hope to see these characters return. ninjas, scorpion, subzero, reptile.
female fighters, sareena, mileena, kira. gods raiden, kahn, shinnok. sourcerers quan chi. the rest of characters new. 25 characters would be great but have the gods unplayabale except raiden. try mixing old characters with new ones to create better storylines. all i can think of.

Sub-Zero
Scorpion
Sareena
Kenshi
Nitara
Taven
Fujin
Drahmin
Raiden
Darrius
Havik
Li Mei
Kung Lao
Kai (With a new storyline, he could be great)

Those are the characters that I'd like to see return at some point. Definitely not all in one game, but over the course of 2 or 3. We haven't seen enough of the MKDA-MKD characters to ditch them all so soon.