They always do. Hasn't been announced at this point, but I'm pretty sure they were added post-launch in both the previous games.

Isn't the fire breath a normal special move now.... that can maybe enhanced into a brutality finisher?

And SZ's spine rip is a part of a fatality... rather than being the only part.

Yes, that's what I was hoping the team would eventually do. Make classic fatalities more elaborate. I haven't seen anything yet, as I don't want to spoil the visual treat just yet.

Speaking of brutalities, are they returning? Are they taking the place of what traditional fatalities used to be, a quick finisher, with the new fatalities becoming more cinematic and elaborate?

Yes, and yes, same as MKX.

You mean like this one? https://youtu.be/qOpDb35Q324?t=147
The timestamp doesn't seem to work, so go to around 2:26

I actually don't think that Scorp's Demon Breath needs to be Amplified to do Toasty Brutality (based on screenshot of Brutality description I don't have to link to). I think they were Amping it for swag. This may or may not be accurate so don't Toasty me if I'm mistaken, lol.

this game looks incredible!