Summary
- Mortal Kombat 2 will feature two dead characters returning, albeit in new ways.
- Character deaths in Mortal Kombat aren’t permanent due to supernatural forces or divine intervention.
- Fans were delighted to learn that Kano and Kung Lao will reappear in Mortal Kombat 2.
The anticipated sequel of Mortal Kombat is due in a couple of months. The co-creator revealed that two dead characters will appear in Mortal Kombat 2.
Mortal Kombat is a reboot of the film franchise released in 2021. It is based on NetherRealm Studios’ popular video game series of the same name. The movie, directed by Simon McQuoid, follows MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan), who discovers his heritage and joins Earthrealm’s warriors in a battle against Outworld’s champions. The film’s theatrical performance was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was released simultaneously on HBO Max, where it performed well. Many were impressed by the fighting sequences in the movie due to its commitment to the game’s violent and brutal fatalities. Two iconic characters were killed in the first movie. However, they would still appear in the sequel.
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Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat co-creator and head of gaming developer NetherRealm Studios, recently sat down with Entertainment Weekly for an interview. They talked about the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 and Boon confirmed that two favorites and dead characters in Mortal Kombat will appear in the sequel. Boon confirmed that Josh Lawson’s Kano and Max Huang’s Kung Lao are coming back despite their fate in the first movie. “I can say Josh Lawson doesn’t play Kano’s twin,” Boon told EW. Instead, he pointed at the Mortal Kombat video game’s existing lore of bringing back dead characters. He said:
We’ve killed a number of characters who are in Mortal Kombat 1 and our latest games. So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that. There are ways to bring dead characters back.
In the Mortal Kombat universe, death is not permanent. Many characters come back to life due to a mix of supernatural forces, sorcery or divine intervention. For instance, Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) was originally Hanzo Hasashi, a Shirai Ryu warrior before Sub-Zero killed him. Quan Chi resurrected him and turned him into a vengeful spirit. Also, when warriors die, their souls sometimes go to the Netherrealm, Mortal Kombat’s version of Hell or Underworld, where they can be resurrected. In Mortal Kombat X Quan Chi resurrected Kung Lao as an evil revenant, so it’s possible that when the character returns in the sequel, fans will see a different version of him. However, Elder Gods also have the power to bring warriors back to life for balance and divine purposes, so it’s also possible for Kung Lao to return and remain in the Earthrealm. As for Kano, there are several ways to bring him back. Quan Chi or Shang Tsung (Chin Han) could revive him and use him for Outworld. But it’s also possible that Kano wasn’t really dead because the film only showed Sonya Blade stabbing him in the eye. So, he probably survived. One thing is certain: the Kano who will return in the sequel is not his twin.
Kano and Kung Lao were among the most well-received characters in the Mortal Kombat movie. Fans loved Kano’s one-liners and crude humor. Lawson gave a fresh take on the character and successfully balanced comedic relief with brutality. His presence in the movie was even considered among the most entertaining parts of the film. So, many were disappointed when he was killed.
Kung Lao is also a favorite because he is cool, confident, and noble, just like the character from the game. His martial arts skills were top-notch, with many saying Huang’s take on the character was one of the most faithful adaptations. The scene where he beat Nitara with his buzzsaw hat was among the most unforgettable kills in the film. However, Shang Tsung sucking his soul was also one of the most heartbreaking. The announcement that the pair will return in Mortal Kombat 2 is exciting. Hopefully, Kano will be as fun and maintain his hilarious one-liners and Kung Lao is still a member of the Earrealm. Let’s wait and see.
Mortal Kombat 2 will hit theaters on October 24, 2025.
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Source: Entertainment Weekly