Mortal Kombat’s legacy and lore now includes 11 mainline games and a multitude of spin-offs that have turned the gory fighting game into a well-documented part of video game history. However, it’s no secret the rest of Mortal Kombat’s media appearances have not fared as well, with the 1995 film of the same name being the only salvageable production to have come out of it. At least that was the case before the newest Mortal Kombat trailer came out 26 years later, packing more and better source material than any of its predecessors that screams flawless victory in this early preview.
For that reason, it’s very much worth dissecting some of the references, easter eggs and story angles that the Mortal Kombat reboot will be tackling come April 16 as the franchise looks to set up rumored future installments.
Sonya Blade introduces Sub-Zero as the target of a mission gone almost fatally wrong for Jax that already ensures this Lin Kuei grandmaster is the Bi-Han incarnation of Sub-Zero. This has been confirmed by Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid who teased Sub-Zero as one of the key antagonists in the film.
Bi-Han is the Sub-Zero from the first Mortal Kombat game and movie, who goes on to be killed by Scorpion (more on that later) in that very first tournament and is then succeeded by his younger brother Kuai Liang. Aside from showcasing his rivalry with Scorpion, Sub-Zero’s smokey entrance is either an easter egg or a hint at the frosty ninja’s destiny that eventually sees him resurrected as the evil Noob Saibot by Quan Chi’s sorcery.
Throughout the years the franchise has been famous for some regrettable additions to the Mortal Kombat roster, so it’s really no surprise to see that the movie’s protagonist is a newcomer fighting for Earthrealm, Cole Young. Yet, once one starts to take a closer look at the unassuming MMA fighter, there’s more to Cole Young than just a Mortal Kombat birthmark.
Aside from being branded by destiny as the trailer puts it, there are a couple of shots that heavily tie Cole Young to Scorpion, the first being his bright yellow wrist wraps; and then a sudden Scorpion flash which suggests the two share some kind link à la Harry Potter-Voldemort. All that might point to Cole Young actually being Jubei Hasashi, Scorpion’s (Hanzo Hasashi) son who’s bound to turn to the dark side; maybe he’s a placeholder for Johnny Cage; or, lastly, there’s a chance he’s actually Kuai Liang, Bi-Han’s younger brother, since the two names bear a small phonetic resemblance.
Fans are treated to not one, but three different versions of Scorpion in this trailer. Chronologically speaking, the first is the very much alive Hanzo Hasashi who can be seen fighting what is probably a horde of Lin Kuei assassins; then he’s seen transformed into Scorpion at the 1:33 mark; before finally showing the more disfigured Scorpion that’s probably made the permanent move to Netherrealm in Cole Young’s flashback and in the scene where he’s covered in fire.
Scorpion’s backstory involves him suffering the annihilation of his clan, the Shirai Ryu, at the hands of Sub-Zero’s Lin Kuei. This sends Scorpions in a quest for vengeance against Bi-Han until he discovers Quan Chi is the one to blame. Whether Scorpion’s appearance is a plot element in itself or if they’re just there for symbolism is a mystery, but it’s almost guaranteed Sub-Zero, Cole Young and Scorpion will be a huge part of what drives the story forward.
When Cole Young is being briefed by Sonya Blade on just exactly what this Mortal Kombat tournament is all about, the camera focuses on an ancient painting depicting a warrior that could easily mistaken for a toned-down Baraka, much in the same way Mileena appears less monstrous than usual.
For those unaware of it, the man depicted in the painting is actually The Great Kung Lao, an ancestor of both Liu Kang and Kung Lao who happen to be very distant relatives. The Great Kung Lao is famous in Mortal Kombat lore for defeating Shang Tsung in the tournament that took place 500 years before the events in the first game and this movie before being killed by Goro.
Despite being just an easter egg here the character was the protagonist in the failed TV series Mortal Kombat: Conquest, shows up towards the end of Mortal Kombat 11 and guarantees some real beef between modern Kung Lao and the four-armed Shokan prince.
The Mortal Kombat trailer gives a proper first look at most of the main characters in this new reboot film, those mainly being Sonya, Sub-Zero, Jax, Cole Young, Mileena, Shang Tsung, Scorpion, Kano, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, and Goro, but that doesn’t necessarily mean those are the only ones that will be featured on screen as some keen eyes have already noticed Kabal and Reptile are all but confirmed to appear. A large part of Mortal Kombat’s base roster and DLC tends to be made up of eccentric henchmen that wage war for far more powerful individuals and that is likely to be the case here.
Shao Kahn was almost completely absent in 1995’s Mortal Kombat and a similar course could be taken in the reboot, unless that massive statue of the emperor is teasing a surprise appearance. Speaking of which, Shao Kahn’s stepdaughter Kitana (not Chun-Li) is one of the most notable absentees in the trailer or cast listings, but her presence is still felt thanks to the Edenian princess apparently leaving her metal fans lying around somewhere for the rest of the good guys to find. It wouldn’t be too surprising to have Kitana or other Mortal Kombat fighters make a surprise appearance that hasn’t been officially disclosed, as was the case for Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance’s vampiress Nitara, who was only confirmed after Elisa Caldwell’s casting was leaked.
All that would pose the risk of the Mortal Kombat reboot biting on more than it can chew though, and with McQuoid wanting to give everyone a proper introduction this new Mortal Kombat will probably take some creative liberties in order to make a more coherent and appealing movie. That said, Mortal Kombat producers have put lots of love in making this trailer, so expect even more when this treacherous and fatality laden story finally premieres.
Mortal Kombat is planned for release in theaters and on HBO Max starting April 16, 2021.
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