Joe Taslim was one of the first actors publicly confirmed for the upcoming Mortal Kombat feature film and it was quickly revealed he'd be playing Bi-Han. In gaming lore he's fated to be killed and resurrected as Noob Saibot -- but will the elder Sub-Zero's transformation be as inevitable in the movie? Read on for the actor's answer:

Embargoes have apparently been lifted on interviews conducted during an Australian set visit all the way back in late 2019 -- unleashing a blitz of movie coverage! According to a newly released quote from Cinemablend, it seems Joe Taslim was thinking about Noob Saibot as far back as over a year ago!

In general, we both know that I play Bi-Han. We have two [S]ub-zeros, Bi-Han and Kuai Liang. Noob Saibot is Bi-Han, it’s not a secret. [Quan Chi] took the humanity of Bi-Han and turned him to Noob Saibot. We both know that from that story of Bi-Han, I mean, it’s on Google it’s not a secret, he has humanity inside of him and when he’s Noob Saibot, it’s just totally dark pitch black. You can see that in his character as Bi-Han when the movie is out. That’s it.

The comment stops short of outright confirming the transformation to "Noob Saibot" will occur in this movie, but eagle-eyed viewers of the official red band trailer will have noticed what looks like a dark Sub-Zero emerging from a puff of black smoke [pictured below].

Bi-Han's circumstances in the upcoming movie aren't quite as they were in gaming canon. He'll traverse several centuries from conflict in feudal Japan before appearing in the present day as Sub-Zero. Like the games, he'll renew his blood feud with Scorpion, but according to the official synopsis he'll be doing it while working for Shang Tsung as the movie's primary antagonist.

It's unclear if cryomancy will be Sub-Zero's means of existing for hundreds of years, or if other methods will justify his return, such as his involvement with the soul-wielding sorcerer. Script writer Greg Russo has stressed the development of his ice powers will not be tied to Shang Tsung.

Bi-Han's real name wasn't revealed until the 2011 video game reboot, which rewrote the saga of the first three games. Bi-Han's death was first revealed in a bombshell arcade ending from Mortal Kombat II [pictured below], while his resurrection as MKII's hidden wraith, "Noob Saibot", was retroactively explained in a Mortal Kombat: Deception ending.

[Related Article: Klassic Noob Saibot Mortal Kombat Mobile Trailers]

Arch-nemeses Sub-Zero & Scorpion feature on a new poster for the film. Do you think their battles will lead to the birth of Noob Saibot? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Find and discuss more stories from the movie on the Media & Merchandise forum ahead of the official release April 16th!