Warner Bros’ 2021 Mortal Kombat film reboot became HBO Max’s most-successful film launch to date. The first trailer for the film also became the most-watched red-band trailer at the time of its release. After a long period of films based on video games failing, the times have finally changed. It is very clear that audiences are interested in a Mortal Kombat film franchise.
Mortal Kombat features fan-favorite characters such as Sonya Blade, Kano, Liu Kang, Sub-Zero, and Scorpion. It also introduces a new character created specifically for the film in MMA fighter Cole Young. There are many more characters from the Mortal Kombat franchise that deserve a chance to be seen in a live-action film. Here are ten characters we want to see in a Mortal Kombat sequel.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 Johnny Cage
Warner Bros, NetherRealm Studios
This one is a no-brainer. Johnny Cage is one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, so much so that the creative team did not want him to overshadow the other characters in the first film. The end of Mortal Kombat teases Johnny Cage as Cole Young heads to L.A. in search of the martial artist and movie star.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Now that Kano is gone, Johnny Cage can fill a role as the comedic relief character. The stakes will be incredibly high in the Mortal Kombat sequel as it is planned to feature the Mortal Kombat tournament. Not only is Cage a humorous character, but he also becomes a very capable fighter and protector of Earthrealm.
8 Kitana
Kitana is one of the few characters in Mortal Kombat II video game that did not appear in the 2021 film. However, her evil twin, Mileena, does make an appearance. With the character’s death, Mileena actress Sisi Stringer could return to play Princess Kitana in a sequel. There is even an easter egg that teases Kitana’s arrival.
For thousands of years, Kitana believes that she is the daughter of Shao Kahn, the emperor of Outworld. When she discovers that Shao Kahn murdered her true father, Kitana turns against him and joins the good guys. She is one of Mortal Kombat’s most iconic characters and greatest fighters. Kitana is instantly recognizable from her fighting style with her deadly razor-edged battle fans.
7 Jade
Jade is the best friend of Princess Kitana, also serving as Kitana’s personal bodyguard. Originally working for Shao Kahn, Jade ultimately chooses her loyalty to Kitana over her allegiance to the villainous emperor. Introducing Kitana, Jade, and Shao Kahn all together in a sequel would set up a great story arc in the Mortal Kombat film universe. The arc would involve restoring freedom to the realms Shao Kahn rules with an iron grip.
6 Baraka
First introduced in Mortal Kombat II (1993), Baraka is a great Mortal Kombat villain. His horrifying physical appearance and his sharp, monstrous teeth make him a character that would nicely suit the sequel’s tone and brutal nature of the Mortal Kombat tournament. Baraka can retract a pair of blades from his forearms. This can be the Outworld equivalent to Cole Young generating bladed tonfas from his arms. Baraka is also the love interest of Mileena. After Sonya Blade kills Mileena in the first film, it would be no surprise for a vengeful Baraka to come after Mileena’s killer.
5 Shinnok
The Elder God of Death, Shinnok lives to kill and destroy. He is the main antagonist and the final boss of Mortal Kombat X. As an Elder God who holds the power to manipulate and corrupt, Shinnok’s influence can be used to complicate the Mortal Kombat tournament in the sequel. Shinnok controls large armies of demons and can even resurrect warriors from the dead to fight for him. A pure force of evil, Shinnok is one of the greatest villains in the entire Mortal Kombat universe.
4 Cetrion
The Elder Goddess of Virtue and Life, Cetrion is the sister of Shinnok. She serves her mother’s will by keeping her brother in check, maintaining balance in the realms. Both Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe feature god-like beings that represent the forces of light and dark. In Star Wars, it is the Mortis Force wielders; Father (balance), Son (darkness), and Daughter (light). In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is the Cosmic Entities. Cetrion fills a similar role in Mortal Kombat and can contextualize and influence the events that occur in the Mortal Kombat cinematic universe.
3 Shao Kahn
Many fans consider Shao Kahn to be the main villain of the Mortal Kombat franchise. Shao Kahn is the final boss of Mortal Kombat II (1993), Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), and Mortal Kombat (2011). He is recognized for his immense power and his aggressive campaign to conquer all realms. As the films delve more into Outworld, it would feel strange if they did not include its emperor. Shao Kahn’s introduction would create an interesting power-dynamic with the evil Shang Tsung, who already appears in the 2021 film.
2 Sub-Zero II (Kuai Liang)
“Sub-Zero” is not the name of a single character in the Mortal Kombat franchise, but is a mantle used by Bi-Han and later his younger brother, Kuai Liang. The 2021 film features Bi-Han as a villainous Sub-Zero, who aggressively antagonizes Scorpion, Cole Young, and the other heroes of Earthrealm. However, the main Sub-Zero in the franchise is actually Kuai Liang. Kuai Liang’s Sub-Zero is one of the most important characters of Mortal Kombat. With Scorpion killing Bi-Han at the end of the first film, the sequel can introduce the classic Sub-Zero that fans know and love.
1 Noob Saibot
Mortal Kombat is a franchise that features endless fighting. After Scorpion’s death at the hands of Bi-Han (the first Sub-Zero), Scorpion returns to exact revenge on Bi-Han. Bi-Han is killed, consumed by fire. However, Warner Bros. would not likely permanently kill off one of the franchise’s greatest characters so soon.
Bi-Han does not remain dead in the games. He is resurrected as “Noob Saibot,” which is the surnames of Mortal Kombat creators Ed Boon and John Tobias spelled backwards. The rivalry between Scorpion and Bi-Han is at the center of the 2021 film. The sequels should take advantage of the opportunity to carry that throughout the films.
