I would've liked it either way. VanDamme and Brandon Lee are my role models. I'm not sure why he turns down stuff like that, he did the same with the Expendables apparently and insulted Stallone. It was something to do with how he was gonna be portrayed or something.
I think he's more of a Stree Fighter fan anyway from articles I've read

I’m not a fan of Van Damme, I do liked Brandon Lee though. I’ve heard that he turned down the Expendables because he was supposed to loose a fight against Jet Li. He is not as popular anymore as he was in the 90’s so I think it was a bad move turning down a part in the Expendables.

But back to MK. In the interview Boon mentions that he backed out because he was also working on a project with Sega (which never came out). I am glad he turned it down.. I don’t think we would be waiting for MK9 right now if he didn’t.

The Van Damme game wouldn't have had sequels and they wouldn't have had any creative freedom. In fact, it was probably a straight adaptation of one of his films. It would've died in obscurity.

If the Van Damme game ended up being made, there would have never been Mortal Kombat. The Van Damme game would have now long been forgotten like so many other movie based games have been.

They made the best decision to create Johnny Cage and make their OWN game!!! It was a smart idea and Hey,after all these years it paid off

C'mon.Next you're all gonna complain that Shaq-Fu wasn't successful! lol

LOL @ Johnny Cage being the reason we HAVE Mortal Kombat

You'd think he'd get more respect. But considering the MK Team, all those fatality demos they do on him are probably their way of showing gratitude

From the very start they said JC was a comic relief,therefore I believe he gets as much as respect as he needs to get. He's a great character, he has magic,sense of humor,amazing martial arts skills,personality and he has a lot of fans who love him!!! I love JC which is why he's my fave MK dude!

I love Johnny Cage. He's my favorite character. But dammit, if he dies, it better be fucking permanent. And I would absolutely heart it if he had a good story. He had a better story in MK The Movie than in all the games BUT ARMAGEDDON. That's ridiculous.

Edit: Now that I think about it, the whole hero squad and Kano had their best stories in the movie.

I know what you mean Cyborg!!! Cage has spent so much of his damn MK career dead! It's about time they made up their mind lol and JC followed by Sonya,Jax had their best story's in the movie it sucks but hey Cage is still loved!

Personally, I really like the idea of emphasising a Van Damme twist to the character. Especially now! The blockbuster action hero that was alive and well in 1992 is pretty much dead. A Johnny Cage who's fallen into irrelevance and enters the tournament for a career boost is not much of a change. Treat his MK-inspired comeback film as an introspective concept ala; JCVD and it's art imitating life and a slightly more textured version of what we already have.

It might even be nice if we could start to build more of a character arc around that. A Johnny Cage who, like Van Damme, becomes more aware of himself and his predicament, and develops in an MK sense, into a more conventional and legitimate hero.

actually, van damme is the reason we have mortal kombat

Back in the day, Cage's appearance always reminded me more of Eric Roberts from "Best of the Best."

THe reason Johnny Cage seems to be the pit of some of the jokes, is because he is that bad-ass we love to hate. Seriously. I wouldnt doubt if Boone Intended Cage to be the star of Mortal Kombat

That's an interesting take on things...

Actually Have you seen Best of the Best 2? I was watchin' it the other night actually (I've only seen the first one never bothered with it's sequels) and I've seen a LOT of Mortal Kombat in it especially with Phillip Rhee's character Tommy, his appearance and even almost in a way does the cartwheel finishing move to that one guy. I actually really liked the first and second movie.

I've moved this Thread over to 'Overall Mortal Kombat Discussion' for you.

I fucking love "Best of the Best 2." I see where coming from with Tommy. Truthfully, both those movies are hella fun if you have a few friends and case of beer. Or just a case of beer.