The official theatrical release of Mortal Kombat II is just over a week away -- but it's not just the movie sequel that's making news during interviews! NetherRealm Studios Creative Director Ed Boon has confirmed a near-miss connection that would've brought a touch of the recent movies into the world of the video games. Read on for details:

The cast and crew of Mortal Kombat II sat down with ComicBook.com to hype and discuss the next chapter in the movie saga. Among them was series co-creator Ed Boon, who revealed that Cole Young was considered for a Kameo Fighter slot in 2023's Mortal Kombat 1 -- but missed the development window! Boon was also asked Ed has his own cameo in the upcoming movie as Ed The Bartender. Watch the Ticket Sale Trailer for a glimpse.

No spoilers, but Cole Young puts on quite a show in the movie, and I want to know: Are there any chances that Cole could ever appear in a Mortal Kombat video game?

'Yes. He almost did, actually. When we were making Mortal Kombat 1 -- the last game we did -- we had these assist fighters called Kameo Fighters, and for a time we were talking about freaking everybody out and doing Cole Young: Kameo Fighter in the game. Just to kind of connect the games and the films together. Uh, but then we ran out of time, we had to start the next game, and then it just never happened.'

Asked about the best fitting guest character he might like to see, Boon chose Mortal Kombat 11's Spawn, noting: "I thought he was a great match. You know, when you see RoboCop you don't quite think "Mortal Kombat". Right? You see Terminator, you don't quite think "Mortal Kombat", but Spawn has that kind of dark Netherrealm Hell kind of vibe and I think he fits right in there with the MK kind of aesthetic." Watch the full suite of interviews below:

Portrayed by Lewis Tan; Cole Young is a struggling MMA fighter who discovers a bloodline connection to Hanzo Hasashi (Hiroyuki Sanada) when he is drawn into the battle between Earthrealm and Outworld. Scorpion was murdered hundreds of years ago in the 2021 film version, which ascribes dragon tattoos to fighters who gain unique powers by harnessing their "Arcana". Cole Young unlocks his ability to manifest armor and weapons from his body over the course of the reboot film, allowing him to defeat Prince Goro in his backyard, and survive a climactic fight with Sub-Zero. A version of the character appeared in early incarnations of the film, to much controversy in 2018. The character returns in Mortal Kombat II for an unknown fate, having appeared minimally in promotional materials.

What do you think about Cole Young crossing over into the world of the video games? Would a Kameo Fighter have been the right way to do it? Share your thoughts in the comments below and discuss more from the most recent game in the Mortal Kombat 1 category. Learn more about the movie coming May 8th in the Media & Merchandise realm!