I can honestly see any of them returning, none of them give off a Kobra or Hsu Hao vibe to me.

With the idiotic way NRS runs things.. Probably none other than the most popular so Cassie maybe, Kotal maybe and Takeda definitely.

They'll probably just bloat out the overall MK roster with more new characters and add some old characters who didn't make it for this game.

The four kids, Kotal and D'Vorah are definites I think. This whole game was about developing those six characters as our new stars. Erron is very well received so he's probably in too. I could see Ferra/Torr dropping out but apparently Ed Boon adores them and what he wants is the most key thing.

Well, one things for sure - we've never seen an entire cast of newbies return for the next game. Given how deliberate they had to be about roster space and cast choice this time around, there's little hope of all 8 newbies returning. Some of these *will* be cut. It's inevitable. I'd be surprised to see more than 3 of these faces in MKXI.

It's been a recurring theme for 20 years and no reason to believe it will change now.

Fwiw, I'm frankly not losing any sleep if we never see Jacqui, Kung Jin or Ferra/Torr again.

-Kotal Kahn: Kotal Kahn has incredible gameplay once you get used to his combos and special moves. You can connect a lot of his attacks and special moves to create amazing combos. Despite gameplay problems for some players, he still has a major role in the story and story-wise counts considerably. And I actually could see Kotal Kahn potentially being a candidate for next game's main villain if they nail the story so that it would make sense for him to go full on evil. (Yes)

-D'Vorah: D'Vorah got a lot of attention in the story, like killing Baraka and Mileena and betraying Kotal Kahn (I was shocked) and that made me love her even more. Some people thought D'Vorah was going to be killed in Story Mode but she survived and killed two veterans and I think that was just awesome. I know Baraka and Mileena will be back though. I love her gameplay, especially the Venomous Variation and I think she is very fun to play as so I hope she returns. (Yes)

-Ferra & Torr: I LOVE Ferra & Torr. I love Ferra's attitude, and Torr's brute strength. I also love their backstory and relationship. I was never really fond of huge characters but I would play as Ferra & Torr anyday. It's true that they didn't have that much impact on the story but you fight them twice like some other characters and they have a QTE and some characters you fight only once in story. (Cassie, Takeda, Kung Jin, Jacqui, Kenshi, Raiden). I believe there should've been more villain chapters and Ferra & Torr would've some players enjoy them. Gameplay-Wise, Ferra & Torr have creative combos and can chain specials with them, making them not a pain to play as. I just hope Ferra & Torr's ending doesn't stop Ferra & Torr from being playable or appearing again entirely. (Yes)

-Erron Black: Erron Black has a lot of potential to be a greater villain. And the whole aging process could allow him to return with more serious agendas. I believe Erron black stood out in Story Mode enough for players to remember him for the next game (Even if they remember him as the cowboy). Seeing Erron Black in the story made me wish I can see more of him because he was so cool and I think they can't just end his chapter like that or have him come back as a NPC. Erron Black has impressive combos and has very original special moves and he makes them look awesome and I see no way they can say no to Erron Black for the next game as a playable character. (Yes)

-Cassie Cage: It's a no-brainer that Cassie return in the next game. She had an astounding story mode role and she proved that she could be a leader for any squad anyday. Cassie's combos and special moves should be more creative for the next game, to make her not like her parents. She should get her own powers and move-set to make her more unique, like other newbies. (Kotal, Kahn, D'Vorah, Ferra & Torr, Erron Black, Takeda). Even with her parents moves, her character was still able to greatly stand out, gameplay-wise and story-wise. (probably the most out of all new characters). (Yes)

-Takeda: Takeda has phenomenal combos, special moves X-Ray and fatalities and it would be a disappointment if he didn't return as a playable character. I love his backstory with Kenshi and Scorpion and his Johnny Cage attitude while also being serious and warm-hearted at times. (I mean Takeda and Jacqui's Relationship). Takeda is very fun to play as and everything about him couldn't be more better, which is why leaving him out of the next game will be a step-back for the character roster and the fans. (Yes)

-Jacqui Briggs: Whether it was being Cassie's best friend, Takeda's love interest, and being a member of the Special Forces squad in story mode, Jacqui contributed substantially. Jacqui's moveset was easy to perform and fun to watch, but for taking a spot in the roster as a female for the next game would just be too risky IMO. If they were to include her in the next game, she would have to receive the same treatment as Cassie and Jin and get her own unique special moves and combos. Like her other teammates, Jacqui is worthy to be in the next game, but she already had her chance in this game and it's time to let characters like Li Mei, Sareena, Frost, Skarlet, and/or Khameleon have a chance to shine as a female playable character and Cassie is just too virtuous to not be playable in the next game. (No)

-Kung Jin: Kung Jin can bring a lot to the table for the next game. Him being a thief, gay, and having a straightforward attitude could contribute to the story greatly. Like Cassie and Jacqui, his moveset should be borrowed from another character (Nightwolf) and he should receive proper abilities and combos to make him even more likeable. Also like Cassie and Jacqui, despite having a copied moveset from another character, he was still able to be utterly formidable during both the story and his gameplay and I know his popularity would be magnified if he were to get his own moveset for the next game. (Yes)

Newbies in MKXI:
Kotal Kahn
D'Vorah
Ferra & Torr
Erron Black
Cassie Cage
Takeda
Kung Jin

All the MK2 characters returned for UMK3. I think we're going to have something similar here.

I think NRS wants to move away from the older cast and develop new faces. That's the whole theme of this game and it's the debut characters they've been pushing the hardest. I'd be way more surprised to see Sonya, Johnny, Kano, Jax and Quan Chi return next game than I would be to see all eight of the newbies return.

Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda and Jin will be back. D'Vorah and Kotal will be back. Erron and Ferra/Torr are the wild cards, but Erron's already popular enough that I think he'll be back.

All?

*cough*Baraka*cough*

Also, the cast wasn't nearly as expansive come UMK3,we haven't had anything near to a complete carry forward since (save for the compilation games, trilogy, armageddon etc, who even counts those). Is there anyone who wouldn't be just a teeny bit pissed if we see jacqui again at the expense of a Fujin? They have to accommodate other favourites into the cast next time. We've learned just how precious those roster spots are this game!!

I stand corrected! Baraka's pretty forgettable, sorry. Bless his heart.

Why does NRS have to 'accomodate favorites'? People will buy the game anyway -- including us. They have no obligation to validate niche fans.

Why does Jacqui or Kung Jin have to make way for Fujin? There are plenty of other 'klassic' characters who could and should get the boot first. Do we really need Sonya, Johnny, Kano and Jax to stay playable into their 60s? Do we really need Ermac floating around doing the same 'we are many' schtick without a real storyline for three games in a row?

Almost all the 3D-era characters are probably being trashed, because NRS is not fond of those games and they were total critical flops. Besides, what would be the point of launching a whole new timeline if you were just going to do the same story over and over? People expecting MK4 this time around were disappointed, because NRS wants to tell a new story. I think most of those characters, favorite or no favorite, are done and forgotten. Tanya, Fujin, Bo' Rai Cho, Li Mei, Frost, Reiko, Havik, maybe Ashrah (Boon likes her) -- everyone else is out.

I wouldn't expect many of the trilogy-era characters to come back after MK9 either (Stryker, Nightwolf, Sheeva, Sektor and Baraka in particular seem like they're out for good). MKX would not have jumped 25 years into the future of the story if NRS wanted to rehash the same characters over and over.

It's tough to say for sure.

But I'm going to say that Cassie, Jacqui, Kung Jin, and Takeda will be back for the next game. They are the next generation, so going forward they HAVE to be in future games.

D'Vorah will definitely come back. Fans have received her well and she is important story wise. Plus the whole "Bug lady" thing is a pretty good concept,

Kotal Kahn will be back too. Earthrealm and Outworld did not end on good terms, so there will definitely be some conflict there. And you can't have Outworld conflict without its Kahnum.

Erron Black will probably come back as well. He's won people over with cool factor, so he has popularity going for him. Plus if Outworld attacks Earthrealm, Kotal needs his gunslinger.

Ferra/Torr is the only one I'm not really sure about. They are certainly unique and interesting enough to warrant another appearance. But I'm not sure if they have the fanbase to justify a spot on the roster. I'd like to see them return, don't think they will though.

Short answer: Everyone but Ferra/Torr

Only one that will get cut IMO is Ferra/Torr

You guys are pretty quick to dismiss Ferra/Torr, but why? The previous games have had their fair share of enforcers that didn't contribute to the story, and the way they fight is very original. I can see them getting tweaked, but not removed.

Yep. I think all eight will be back.

I think all 8 will be back for the next game.

Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda, and Jin are the next gen heroes so I'd guess that we'll see all of them again face a new threat together.

Kotal Kahn and D'Vorah are popular enough and have been main characters in this story that they could show up again in the next game, especially since Kotal Kahn might have to deal with Dark Raiden.

I think Erron Black is popular enough to be in the next game and Ed Boon apparently loves Ferra/Torr and if Kotal Kahn is involved in the next story, those two will at least appear in MKXI.

D'Vorah
Cassie
Jacqui
Erron
Kotal Kahn
Kung Jin

I don't love them all, but I'd like to see them all back in the next game along with some other characters who have only had one or 2 appearances. I think there's a good chance Jacqui and Ferra/Torr won't make it, though.

Only new character that I hope returns is Erron Black. I don't really give a shit about any of the other characters lol

I think the post-credit scene is to put a line through LK & K's Netherrealm in the next game.

Could be a good chance to see Reiko and Havok in the next game, depending on their fate's in the comics.
Kotal will no doubt be represented somehow (although being a more benign ruler, I don't think he'll be the villain.

Could be a chance for another MKD realm to reappear.

I think we're gonna be losing quite a few trilogy characters after this game, which will open more spaces for MKX returnees. I think it's highly possible that Sonya, Johnny, and Kenshi will be retiring, as it was hinted at by Johnny in the story mode (something along the lines of "us older guys are gonna retire someday"). I also think Jax will go back into retirement as well. These characters all have offspring and I think this game was a kind of passing of the torch to the new generation.

I also wouldn't expect to see Shinnok, Quan Chi, or possible Mileena, as they all died in the story mode (or exist as a severed head flopping like a fish out of water) and their plot relevence was also brought to a conclusion.

Assuming we lose those characters, I think we'll get a pretty substantial amount of MKX newbies back. I think we'll get at least three of the four offspring characters back and if my assumption about the older guys leaving is true, I think a few more of their elder's moves integrated. I would say Takeda and Cassie Cage are shoe-ins, while Jacqui and Kung Jin may be one or the other. I'd like all four of them back though.

I think Kotal Kahn will also make it back in because of his relevance, being the emperor of Outworld now and because of his generally warm reception from fans (thanks a lot to the comics, and not so much the last few chapters of story mode). If one character is to get in based on their design and voice alone, I think it would be Erron Black. I'm not gonna lie, he didn't do much story-wise, but he is badass!

D'vorah I feel mixed about. On one hand, her main purpose was to betray Kotal and free Shinnok, and she fulfilled that role. But she was captured and all she worked for was squashed (no pun intended). But her huge story presence and the fact that she killed two previously established MK characters makes me think she's a studio favorite and they want to keep her.

The one character, or should I say characters that I'd be surprised to see back is Ferra/Torr. I really see them as a big boring brick wall of a character and an annoying little imp. They had hardly any story relevance and they don't seem to have a major fan following, except for my one friend who always seems to fixate on the characters I like the least.

I think it's possible for NRS to cut down the roster to make it 16 MKX returnees, just by getting rid of the characters who are retiring or got killed off. The rest of the next MK's roster could consist of some more newbies, a few trilogy characters who missed out on this game for reasons unknown (Cyrax, Jade), and a few post-trilogy characters. They could easily go 2 from trilogy, three from post-trilogy, and four new and that would match the roster count of MKX, which I'd call a modest estimate.

I think all of them will return except for D'Vorah and Ferra/Torr. D'Vorahs story presence peeked in MKX with her being the new quan chi/betrayer however her master shinnok was killed and she was captured so I think she will be done for the next game and as for Ferra/Torr well he is just a jobber and there is enough more popular jobbers to bring back such as reptile and ermac so I think he may be done as well.

I'd honestly like to see every new character from MKX return in the next game. They're all great auditions to Mortal Kombat.

I can see all of them returning, though some like Ferra/Torr can be cameos. Also, Kung Jin should get killed off.

If the next play has a villain Shang Tsung arch manipulator (As Quan Chi in MK9 and D'vorah in MKX) or Boss. Erron Black and Beast / Torr need to return (beyond them Reptile). It will be a unique opportunity to truly reveal their past.

Of 8 characters MKX who I see more chances of not returning is D'vorah (She has no one to serve or means to be the Queen. And do not submit the Kotal again or Raiden (or even Shang Tsung). I imagine returning only when the force as Shinnok and Onaga return.). And working the Earth Kingdom as an antagonist (which would be the most logical way at the time), most of the 4 heroes not immediately return to the MK11, although likely to be an MK12 (where Earth is threatened).

All of them, and here is my theory why ...

Every "generation" of MK ended up having a mega all star game. The original 2d games had Trilogy , the 3D games had Armeggedon, so I think the next MK is basically going to be the trilogy / Armageddon of the 2.5d games and it's all because of Injustice 2.

WB is going to want to cash in on MK again before this console cycle is over. With NRS working on Injustice 2 right now, chances are the game won't release until Spring 2017, and there is no way NRS will go back to the drawing board and reinvent MK all over again at the end of this console generation.

What they can do is take MKX's engine and existing models/animations. Throw togather 6 new stages and maybe 12 new characters and make a new game out of it.

All back, 100% and of course if one or two are killed off, they will be my favourite ones: Kung Jin & D'vorah. Personally, I want those 2 back + a better playable and more powerful Kotal Kahn. The rest can f off!

D'vorah back at some point, but I think not now.

It would be interesting if the NTR began to plan the characters management, so resting for a few games and resumed later. And stop swell the cast.