Mortal Kombat (2021 film)

In 17th-century Japan, assassins led by Bi-Han assault the estate of Hanzo Hasashi's clan and murder everyone, including Hanzo's family. After killing the attackers, Hanzo fights Bi-Han but succumbs to his wounds and dies, his soul condemned to the Netherrealm. Raiden, god of Thunder, later takes Hanzo's surviving infant daughter to safety.

In 2021, the realm of Outworld has defeated Earthrealm in nine tournaments known as "Mortal Kombat". The rules state that if Earthrealm loses a tenth one, it will be conquered by Outworld. An ancient prophecy states that the "blood of Hanzo Hasashi" will unite a new generation of Earthrealm's champions to prevent Outworld's victory. Sorcerer and Outworlder Shang Tsung sends his warriors to preemptively eliminate Earthrealm's champions, identified by a dragon mark, before the tenth tournament begins.

MMA fighter Cole Young and his family are attacked by Bi-Han, who now calls himself Sub-Zero. Special Forces Major Jackson "Jax" Briggs rescues the Youngs, directing them to find his partner, Sonya Blade. Jax stays to battle Sub-Zero but loses his arms in the process.

Cole goes to Sonya's hideout, where she is interrogating a captive Australian mercenary named Kano. Jax and Sonya have been investigating Mortal Kombat's existence. They are attacked by Shang Tsung's assassin, Syzoth, who Kano kills with Cole and Sonya's help. They travel to Raiden's temple and meet Earthrealm champions Liu Kang and Kung Lao and Raiden himself, who is critical of the newcomers. They also find Jax, whom Raiden rescued and fitted with a set of mechanical arms. Shang Tsung attempts to attack the temple but is stopped when Raiden shields it from intrusion. Cole and Kano train with Liu Kang and Kung Lao to unlock their "Arcana", a power unique to all dragon mark bearers.

During an argument, Kano awakens his arcana, granting him the ability to shoot lasers from his scarred eye, much to his delight. Meanwhile, Cole is unable to awaken his arcana. Disappointed, Raiden sends Cole back to his family, revealing that he is a descendant of Hasashi. Shang Tsung gathers his warriors, including Kano's former ally, Kabal, to attack the temple. Kabal convinces Kano to defect and sabotage the shield. During the fray, Jax awakens his arcana, granting him superhuman strength and upgraded arms. Concurrently, the Youngs are attacked by Goro. Cole rouses his arcana, gaining a suit of armor that can absorb kinetic energy from physical attacks and a set of tonfas, and kills Goro before helping repel the attack on the temple. As Raiden teleports the Earthrealm fighters to the Void, a safe space between realms, Sub-Zero attempts to stop Cole. However, Kung Lao saves Cole from Sub-Zero and has his soul taken by Shang Tsung.

Cole proposes a plan to force Outworld's champions into single combat with them before neutralizing Sub-Zero together. Agreeing with the plan, Raiden gives Cole Hanzo's kunai, which still has Hanzo's blood on it. Raiden transports Cole and his allies to their targets. While defeating Outworld's champions, Sonya kills Kano and acquires his dragon mark, gaining the ability to fire energy blasts from her arms. Sub-Zero abducts Cole's family to lure him into a one-on-one fight. Overpowered, Cole uses the kunai and drains the blood from it, releasing Hanzo as the vengeful specter, Scorpion. Recognizing Cole as his descendant, Scorpion helps him kill Sub-Zero and free his family. Thanking Cole for freeing him and requesting that he take care of the Hasashi bloodline, Scorpion departs as Raiden, the other champions, and Shang Tsung arrive.

Shang Tsung threatens to bring armies instead of individual fighters next time they meet. Raiden banishes him, declaring his intention to train new warriors for the next tournament and assigning his current champions to recruit them. Cole then departs to Los Angeles to look for martial arts movie star Johnny Cage.{{cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/mortal-kombat-ending-explained-the-2021-movies-sequel-teases-cameos/ | title=Mortal Kombat ending explained: 2021 movie's sequel teases, cameos | access-date=May 2, 2022 | archive-date=May 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502162248/https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/mortal-kombat-ending-explained-the-2021-movies-sequel-teases-cameos/ | url-status=live }}

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• Lewis Tan as Cole Young{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/mortal-kombat-first-look-lewis-tan-joe-taslim-hiroyuki-sanada/|title=Mortal Kombat first look: Inside the R-rated reboot, fatalities and all|last=Romano|first=Nick|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=January 15, 2021|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115150210/https://ew.com/movies/mortal-kombat-first-look-lewis-tan-joe-taslim-hiroyuki-sanada/|url-status=live}}
• Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade
• Josh Lawson as Kano
• Mehcad Brooks as Jax
• Ludi Lin as Liu Kang
• Max Huang as Kung Lao
• Tadanobu Asano as Raiden
• Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
• Joe Taslim as Bi-Han / Sub-Zero{{cite tweet|first=Greg|last=Russo|title=Bi Han|user=WriterRusso|number=1148659939256049664|date=July 9, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2019}}
• Matilda Kimber as Emily Young{{Cite web|url=https://cogconnected.com/2019/12/matilda-kimber-mortal-kombat-movie/|title=Young Matilda Kimber Added to the Cast of the Mortal Kombat Movie|website=Cog Connected|date=December 6, 2019|access-date=December 7, 2019|archive-date=December 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207050512/https://cogconnected.com/2019/12/matilda-kimber-mortal-kombat-movie/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Mortal Kombat (2021) |url=https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/mortal-kombat-2021 |website=Warner Bros. Pictures |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117080112/https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/mortal-kombat-2021 |url-status=live }}
• Laura Brent as Allison Young
• Sisi Stringer as Mileena{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Spencer|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1099195-production-begins-on-new-mortal-kombat-movie|title=Production Begins on New Mortal Kombat Movie|date=September 16, 2019|work=ComingSoon.Net|access-date=September 16, 2019|archive-date=January 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130054302/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1099195-production-begins-on-new-mortal-kombat-movie|url-status=live}}
• Mel Jarnson as Nitara
• Daniel Nelson as Kabal{{cite web|last=Fischer|first=Tyler|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-11-movie-reboot-kabal-actor/|title=Mortal Kombat Movie Confirms Kabal Actor|date=December 17, 2020|work=Comic Book|access-date=December 17, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215175833/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-11-movie-reboot-kabal-actor/|url-status=live}}
• Damon Herriman as Kabal (voice)
• Angus Sampson as Goro (voice)
• Chin Han as Shang Tsung
• Nathan Jones as Reiko

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| caption2 = James Wan and Todd Garner (both shown above) serve as producers for the reboot along with E. Bennett Walsh and director Simon McQuoid.

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In 1997, Robin Shou's original Mortal Kombat contract was a three-picture deal,{{cite magazine |title=Mortal Kombat Annihilation!|magazine=GamePro|issue=104 |publisher=IDG|date=May 1997|page=37}} and Threshold Entertainment's production on a second sequel was initially scheduled to commence shortly after the release of Annihilation, but it was shelved due to Annihilation{{'}}s poor reception and disappointing box-office performance. Attempts to produce a third film since then were stuck in development hell with numerous script rewrites and storyline, cast, and crew changes. A November 2001 poll on the official Mortal Kombat website hosted by Threshold asked fans which characters they believed would die in the third movie.{{cite web|url=http://www.mortalkombat.com|title=Mortal Kombat|publisher=Threshold Entertainment|date=November 28, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011128234706/http://mortalkombat.com/|archive-date=November 28, 2001|access-date=September 4, 2017}} The 2005 destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina greatly affected one of the film's planned shooting locations.{{cite news|first=Clint|last=Morris|title=Director talks Mortal Kombat reboot|publisher=Moviehole|date=2008-02-08|url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080208_director_talks_mortal_kombat_r.htmlOr|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120808020206/http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080208_director_talks_mortal_kombat_r.htmlOr|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-08-08|access-date=2008-02-08}} In June 2009, a bankruptcy court lawsuit saw Lawrence Kasanoff suing Midway Games while mentioning that a third film was in the works. Warner Bros. Pictures (which became the parent of New Line Cinema in 2008, after over a decade of both operating as separate divisions of Time Warner) ended up purchasing most of Midway's assets, including Mortal Kombat.{{cite news|title=WB Picks Up Rights to Midway Video Games|publisher=Comingsoon.net|date=2009-07-06|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56887|access-date=2009-07-16|archive-date=October 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006091633/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56887|url-status=live}}

In 2010, director Kevin Tancharoen released an eight-minute short film titled Mortal Kombat: Rebirth,{{cite web|last=Fahey|first=Mike|url=http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up |title=If This Is The Next Mortal Kombat, Sign Us Up (Update) |work=Kotaku|date=June 8, 2010|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611055341/http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up |archive-date=June 11, 2010|access-date=July 29, 2019}} made as a pitch to Warner Bros. Pictures of a reboot of the Mortal Kombat film franchise.{{cite tweet|last=Ryan |first=Jeri |user=JeriLRyan|number=15752179609 |title=It's not a game trailer. Actually was made for the director to sell WB on his vision for a reimagined MK film.|date=June 8, 2010 |access-date=January 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717121026/http://twitter.com/JeriLRyan/status/15752179609 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 }} In September 2011, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. announced that Tancharoen was hired to direct a new feature-length film from a screenplay by Mortal Kombat: Rebirth writer Oren Uziel,{{cite web|last=Lesnick |first=Silas |title=New Line to Reboot Mortal Kombat |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82709 |work=ComingSoon.net|date=September 29, 2011|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516144432/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82709 |archive-date=May 16, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2019}} with the intention of aiming for an R rating.{{cite magazine|last=Staskiewicz|first=Keith|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/09/29/mortal-kombat-movie-kevin-tancharoen-new-line/|title=New 'Mortal Kombat' movie 'needs to feel brutal,' says director|date=September 29, 2011|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001034641/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/09/29/mortal-kombat-movie-kevin-tancharoen-new-line/|archive-date=October 1, 2011|url-status=live}} Shooting was expected to begin in March 2012 with a budget projected at between $40–50 million{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/11/07/warner-bros-confirms-mortal-kombat-movie-reboot|title=Warner Bros Confirms Mortal Kombat Movie Reboot|first=Luke|last=Karmali|date=November 11, 2012|website=IGN|access-date=December 10, 2014|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122224618/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/07/warner-bros-confirms-mortal-kombat-movie-reboot|url-status=live}} and a release date of 2013.{{cite news|last=Fritz|first=Ben|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/09/30/glee-director-prepares-for-mortal-kombat-film/|title='Glee' director prepares for 'Mortal Kombat' film|date=September 30, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001080627/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/09/30/glee-director-prepares-for-mortal-kombat-film/|archive-date=October 1, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Fritz|first=Ben|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/09/mortal-kombat-movie-coming-as-warner-video-game-and-new-line-units-partner.html|title=New 'Mortal Kombat' movie coming via partnership of Warner units|date=September 29, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 30, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717073823/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/09/mortal-kombat-movie-coming-as-warner-video-game-and-new-line-units-partner.html|archive-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=live}} However, the project was ultimately delayed due to budget constraints, and Tancharoen began working on the second season of the web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy until problems with the film had been sorted out, but he quit the film production in October 2013.{{cite tweet|first=Kevin|last=Tancharoen|title=After 3 years of Kombat, I've decided to move on to other creative opportunities. I wish everyone involved in the movie big success. Thanks!" |user=KTANCH|number=393872867852435456|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208230632/https://twitter.com/KTANCH/status/393872867852435456 |archive-date=February 8, 2015|date=October 25, 2013|access-date=July 29, 2019}}

James Wan signed on as the film's producer in August 2015.{{cite web|last=Lesnick|first=Silas|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/469707-mortal-kombat-movie-james-wan-to-produce|title=Mortal Kombat Movie: James Wan to Produce|work=Coming Soon|date=August 7, 2015|access-date=August 7, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809235539/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/469707-mortal-kombat-movie-james-wan-to-produce|archive-date=August 9, 2015}} Simon McQuoid was hired as director in November 2016, marking his feature directorial debut, with Greg Russo writing the script.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/|title='Mortal Kombat' Reboot Finds Director in Simon McQuoid (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=November 18, 2016|magazine=Variety|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119120151/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/|archive-date=November 19, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet|user=WriterRusso|last=Russo|first=Greg|number=1092320932788498432|title=Who's getting excited? I know I am. #MK #MortalKombat|date=February 3, 2019|access-date=March 5, 2019}} McQuoid had turned down the offer initially, but ultimately signed on after reading Russo's script.{{cite web|last=Couch|first=Aaron|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/why-mortal-kombat-director-simon-mcquoid-said-no-at-first-4171443/|title=Why Mortal Kombat Director Simon McQuoid Said No (At First)|date=April 23, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=May 1, 2021|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610110239/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/why-mortal-kombat-director-simon-mcquoid-said-no-at-first-4171443/|url-status=live}} Russo tweeted in February 2019 that the film's script was complete. In May 2019, it was announced that the film had entered pre-production and would be shot in South Australia,{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/05/14/mortal-kombat-james-wan/|title=James Wan-produced Mortal Kombat movie to shoot later this year|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Collis|first=Clark|date=May 14, 2019|archive-date=May 18, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518223408/https://ew.com//movies/2019/05/14/mortal-kombat-james-wan/|url-status=live}} with a release date of March 5, 2021.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mortal-kombat-new-movie-release-date-1203219338/|title=New 'Mortal Kombat' Movie to Hit Theaters in 2021|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=May 17, 2019|magazine=Variety|archive-date=May 18, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518114604/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mortal-kombat-new-movie-release-date-1203219338/|url-status=live}} Russo tweeted in July 2019 that the film would indeed have an R rating and that the games' Fatalities would "finally be on the big screen".{{cite tweet|user=WriterRusso|last=Russo|first=Greg|number=1149537189744611329|title=Since it's already been stated by other members of the team, I'm gonna put this one to bed. MK WILL be R-Rated and for the first time EVER, FATALITIES will FINALLY be on the big screen (and no I'm not gonna say which ones) You'll just have to wait for the movie & see!!!|date=July 12, 2019|access-date=August 18, 2019}}

In April 2021, McQuoid revealed that the film came "quite close to the line" of getting an NC-17 rating by the Motion Picture Association, saying in full, "What we had to be a bit careful of was... you can get to NC-17 territory pretty quick. It's different in a video game when it's not real human beings. When you move this across to reality, a different set of things start to happen in your mind, and you get rated slightly differently. So there were certain things that are in the game that would mean the film would be unreleasable. And none of us wanted that. … So we were balancing that stuff all the time. And there's some stuff that you will see that really gets quite close to the line because we didn't want people to go, 'Meh. Seemed kind of lame.'"{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/mortal-kombat-2021-movie-nc17-rating-violence/|title=Mortal Kombat 2021 Movie Nearly Got An NC-17 Rating For Violence|date=April 1, 2021|website=ScreenRant|access-date=April 18, 2021|archive-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418182341/https://screenrant.com/mortal-kombat-2021-movie-nc17-rating-violence/|url-status=live}} Ultimately, after some edits, the film received its intended R rating.

Joe Taslim was the first actor cast for the production in July 2019, as Sub-Zero.{{cite web|first=Dave|last=McNary|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mortal-kombat-movie-jon-taslim-1203262750/|title='The Raid's' Joe Taslim to Star in 'Mortal Kombat' for New Line|date=July 9, 2019|magazine=Variety|access-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710124243/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mortal-kombat-movie-jon-taslim-1203262750/|archive-date=July 10, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet|number=1148659939256049664|title=Bi-Han|first=Greg|last=Russo|user=WriterRusso|date=July 9, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719192526/https://twitter.com/writerrusso/status/1148659939256049664|url-status=live}} In August, Mehcad Brooks, Tadanobu Asano, Sisi Stringer, and Ludi Lin were cast in the roles of Jax Briggs, Raiden, Mileena, and Liu Kang respectively.{{cite web|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|last2=Galuppo|first2=Mia|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mortal-kombat-movie-adds-fistful-fighters-1232599 |title='Mortal Kombat' Movie Adds Fistful of Fighters (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 16, 2019|access-date=August 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816212622/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mortal-kombat-movie-adds-fistful-fighters-1232599 |archive-date=August 16, 2019|url-status=live }} Later that month, Josh Lawson, Jessica McNamee, Chin Han and Hiroyuki Sanada were cast as Kano, Sonya Blade, Shang Tsung and Scorpion respectively, with Lewis Tan in the role of Cole Young, an original character created for the film.{{cite web|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mortal-kombat-movie-finds-sonya-blade-kano-1234513|title='Mortal Kombat' Movie Finds Its Sonya Blade, Kano (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|date=August 26, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019|archive-date=August 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826202259/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mortal-kombat-movie-finds-sonya-blade-kano-1234513|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-shang-tsung-scorpion-chin-han-hiroyuki-sanada-1203315673/|title='Mortal Kombat' Reboot Finds Its Shang Tsung and Scorpion (EXCLUSIVE)|date=August 27, 2019|work=Variety|access-date=August 27, 2019|archive-date=August 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827195347/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-shang-tsung-scorpion-chin-han-hiroyuki-sanada-1203315673/|url-status=live}} On September 16, 2019, it was announced that Max Huang had been cast as Kung Lao. Stuntwoman Elissa Cadwell was announced as having been cast as Nitara on November 11, 2019,{{cite web|last=Fischer|first=Tyler|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/11/11/mortal-kombat-reboot-movie-nitara-casting/|title=Mortal Kombat Reboot Reveals New Character and Casting|work=Comic Book|access-date=November 11, 2019|date=November 11, 2019|archive-date=November 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111201947/https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/11/11/mortal-kombat-reboot-movie-nitara-casting/|url-status=live}} but she was later replaced by Mel Jarnson. Matilda Kimber was cast as Emily on December 4, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/12/05/mortal-kombat-movie-reboot-cast-role-cole-turner/|title=Mysterious New Mortal Kombat Reboot Role Revealed|website=GAMING|date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=December 31, 2019|archive-date=December 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231201243/https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/12/05/mortal-kombat-movie-reboot-cast-role-cole-turner/|url-status=live}}

Production took place at Adelaide Studios and other locations in South Australia,{{cite web|last=Marc|first=Christopher|url=https://hnentertainment.co/the-new-mortal-kombat-movie-has-begun-production/|title=The New 'Mortal Kombat' Movie Has Begun Production|work=HN Entertainment|date=September 15, 2019|access-date=September 16, 2019|archive-date=September 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916080226/https://hnentertainment.co/the-new-mortal-kombat-movie-has-begun-production/|url-status=live}} lasting from September 16 to December 13, 2019.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Andrew|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/13/mortal-kombat-movie-wraps-filming-see-the-casts-reactions|title=Mortal Kombat Movie Wraps Filming: See the Cast's Reactions|work=IGN|date=December 13, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-date=December 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214023959/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/13/mortal-kombat-movie-wraps-filming-see-the-casts-reactions|url-status=live}} In November 2020, Todd Garner stated that "we have more days to shoot" in a statement regarding the film's release delay.{{Cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Elite on Instagram: "Looks like the mk movie is getting pushed back again. I cant say that I'm not surprised considering the current state of things. It should…"|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CHbXrQUDDLK/|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/mortalkombatelite/2439647750674723530|archive-date=December 26, 2021|url-access=registration|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Instagram|language=en}}{{cbignore}} The film was shot on the ARRI ALEXA LF and Mini LF cameras with Panavision Anamorphic lenses.{{Cite web|last=Mendelovich|first=Yossy|date=2021-04-06|title=Mortal Kombat BTS Released: Shot on ALEXA LF Paired With Panavision Anamorphic Lenses|url=https://ymcinema.com/2021/04/06/mortal-kombat-bts-released-shot-on-alexa-lf-paired-with-panavision-anamorphic/|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Y.M.Cinema - News & Insights on Digital Cinema|language=en-US|archive-date=April 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406141128/https://ymcinema.com/2021/04/06/mortal-kombat-bts-released-shot-on-alexa-lf-paired-with-panavision-anamorphic/|url-status=live}}

Rising Sun Pictures (RSP), an Adelaide company, was principal VFX provider, delivering over 600 visual effects shots for the film. The studio's artists also created the effects for the last scene, a furious fight lasting around 10 minutes.{{cite web | title=Mortal Kombat | website=RSP | date=17 August 2021 | url=https://www.rsp.com.au/our-work/filmography/mortal-kombat/ | access-date=10 June 2022 | archive-date=May 16, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516050327/https://www.rsp.com.au/our-work/filmography/mortal-kombat/ | url-status=live }} RSP won an AEAF Special Merit Award in 2021 for their work on the film.{{cite web| url= https://www.rsp.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/RSP_Awards_Nominations.pdf| title= Awards & Nominations| date= 2021| publisher= Rising Sun Pictures| access-date= June 10, 2022| archive-date= March 6, 2022| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220306132450/https://www.rsp.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/RSP_Awards_Nominations.pdf| url-status= dead}}

{{Main|Mortal Kombat (2021 soundtrack)}}

The score for Mortal Kombat was composed by Benjamin Wallfisch.{{cite web |last1=Fischer |first1=Tyler |title=Mortal Kombat Reboot Award-Winning Composer Revealed |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2020/01/22/mortal-kombat-reboot-movie-composer-music/ |website=Comic Book |date=January 22, 2020 |access-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122061124/https://comicbook.com/gaming/2020/01/22/mortal-kombat-reboot-movie-composer-music/ |url-status=live }} In March 2021, director Simon McQuoid revealed that Wallfisch actually began compositions for the film before he was officially hired on the project and that the film will include a new version of the track "Techno Syndrome" by The Immortals,{{Cite web|date=2021-03-06|title='Mortal Kombat's Composer Began the Score Before Getting Hired — And Yes, It Includes the Iconic Theme|url=https://collider.com/will-new-mortal-kombat-movie-have-the-theme-song/|access-date=2021-03-06|website=Collider|language=en-US|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306223858/https://collider.com/will-new-mortal-kombat-movie-have-the-theme-song/|url-status=live}} produced by Wallfisch.

On January 15, 2021, which was when the film was initially set to release prior to being delayed due the COVID-19 pandemic, Entertainment Weekly released a first look of the film, which contained several behind the scenes photos.{{Cite magazine|title='Mortal Kombat' first look: Inside the R-rated reboot, fatalities and all|url=https://ew.com/movies/mortal-kombat-first-look-lewis-tan-joe-taslim-hiroyuki-sanada/|access-date=2021-01-27|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=EN}} On February 17, 2021, a series of character posters were released for the film, along with the next announcement that the film's first trailer would be released the following day.{{Cite web|title=New Mortal Kombat posters reveal first looks at Lord Raiden, Shang Tsung, and more|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/new-mortal-kombat-posters-reveal-first-looks-at-lord-raiden-shang-tsung-and-more/ar-BB1dLfhU|access-date=2021-02-18|website=www.msn.com|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217171824/https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/new-mortal-kombat-posters-reveal-first-looks-at-lord-raiden-shang-tsung-and-more/ar-BB1dLfhU|url-status=live}} On February 18, 2021, the first red band trailer for the film was released online.{{Cite web|last=Countryman|first=Eli|title='Mortal Kombat' trailer promises plenty of blood, guts and fatalities|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-eent-mortal-kombat-movie-trailere-20210218-rfm2messojgelco6i6mia22zyi-story.html|access-date=2021-02-18|website=chicagotribune.com|date=February 18, 2021 |archive-date=February 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218185212/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-eent-mortal-kombat-movie-trailere-20210218-rfm2messojgelco6i6mia22zyi-story.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2021-02-18|title='Mortal Kombat' Reboot Drops Bloody Brutal Trailer|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mortal-kombat-reboot-drops-bloody-brutal-trailer-4134713/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105120051/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mortal-kombat-reboot-drops-bloody-brutal-trailer-4134713/|url-status=live}} The film's first trailer had become the most-watched red-band trailer until the release of the first trailer of The Suicide Squad a month later.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2021-02-25 |title='Mortal Kombat' Red Band Trailer Breaks Viewership Records |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/mortal-kombat-red-band-trailer-breaks-viewership-records-1234701336/ |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225222833/https://deadline.com/2021/02/mortal-kombat-red-band-trailer-breaks-viewership-records-1234701336/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2021-04-03|title='The Suicide Squad' Red Band Trailer Clocks All-Time Record Traffic In First Week, Beating 'Mortal Kombat'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/the-suicide-squad-red-band-trailer-clocks-all-time-record-traffic-in-first-week-beating-mortal-kombat-1234727116/|access-date=2021-04-03|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|archive-date=April 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403143234/https://deadline.com/2021/04/the-suicide-squad-red-band-trailer-clocks-all-time-record-traffic-in-first-week-beating-mortal-kombat-1234727116/|url-status=live}}

Mortal Kombat was theatrically released internationally, beginning on April 8, 2021,{{cite web|title='Mortal Kombat' movie review: A fast-paced film with a thinning plot|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/in-the-city/mortal-kombat-movie-review-a-fast-paced-film-with-a-thinning-plot|website=Khaleej Times|first=Husain|last=Rizvi|date=2021-04-08|access-date=January 5, 2022|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105120428/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/in-the-city/mortal-kombat-movie-review-a-fast-paced-film-with-a-thinning-plot|url-status=live}} and was later released in the United States on April 23, 2021, in both theaters in Dolby Cinema, IMAX and 4DX and on HBO Max. The film was originally going to be released on March 5, 2021, before being moved up to January 15, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Haring |first1=Bruce |title='Mortal Kombat' Release Date Moved Up To Midwinter 2021 – Update |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/mortal-kombat-release-date-james-wan-warner-bros-1202618026/ |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 11, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927200732/https://deadline.com/2019/12/mortal-kombat-release-date-james-wan-warner-bros-1202618026/ |url-status=live }} In November 2020, producer Todd Garner confirmed that the film would be delayed until theaters are reopened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before it was finally dated for release on April 16 in 3D.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-mortal-kombat-tom-jerry-release-dates-1234842476/|title=Warner Bros. Shifts 'Mortal Kombat,' 'Tom and Jerry' Release Dates|work=Variety|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 15, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215002815/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-mortal-kombat-tom-jerry-release-dates-1234842476/|url-status=live}} As part of its plans for all of its 2021 films, Warner Bros. also streamed the film simultaneously on the HBO Max service for one month, after which the film was removed until the normal home media release schedule period.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-hbo-max-theaters-dune-matrix-4-1234845342/ | title = Warner Bros. to Debut Entire 2021 Film Slate, Including 'Dune' and 'Matrix 4,' Both on HBO Max and In Theaters | first1 = Rebecca | last1 = Rubin | first2 = Matt | last2 = Donnelly | date = December 3, 2020 | access-date = December 3, 2020 | work = Variety | archive-date = December 3, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203183130/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-hbo-max-theaters-dune-matrix-4-1234845342/ | url-status = live }} In Australia and New Zealand, the film was released onto Netflix in January 2022 despite its HBO Max release elsewhere due to the service's HBO Max lack of availability outside of North America.{{Cite web|title=Watch Mortal Kombat {{!}} Netflix|url=https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81267307|access-date=2022-02-02|website=www.netflix.com|language=en|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202122204/https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81267307|url-status=dead}}

In late March 2021, the film was delayed one week to April 23.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-release-date-delay-1234941072/ |title='Mortal Kombat' Release Date Pushed Back |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |work=Variety |date=March 30, 2021 |access-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330214349/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-release-date-delay-1234941072/ |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Jha|first=Lata|title=Martial arts film 'Mortal Kombat' to release in India on 23 April|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/martial-arts-film-mortal-kombat-to-release-in-india-on-23-april-11617859269233.html|work=mint|date=April 8, 2021|language=en|access-date=April 8, 2021|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415054711/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/martial-arts-film-mortal-kombat-to-release-in-india-on-23-april-11617859269233.html|url-status=live}} The film was released in Japan on June 18, 2021, despite not having Mortal Kombat games released officially in the country due to CERO gaming rules concerning excessive gore.{{Cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/mortal-kombat-movie-will-release-in-japan-this-june/|title=Mortal Kombat Movie Will Release in Japan This June|date=April 7, 2021|access-date=April 7, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407130612/https://www.siliconera.com/mortal-kombat-movie-will-release-in-japan-this-june/|url-status=live}}

Mortal Kombat was released on Digital HD on June 11, 2021, and on DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on July 13, 2021.{{Cite web | url=https://collider.com/mortal-kombat-4k-bluray-digital-release-date-details/ | title='Mortal Kombat' Gets 4K Blu-ray and Digital Release Dates | website=Collider | date=June 3, 2021 | access-date=July 15, 2021 | archive-date=July 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715125457/https://collider.com/mortal-kombat-4k-bluray-digital-release-date-details/ | url-status=live }}

Following its U.S. release, Samba TV reported that 3.8 million households watched at least the first five minutes over its first three days.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/mortal-kombat-hbo-max-record-viewership-samba-tv-1234744310/ |title='Mortal Kombat Is A KO For HBO Max, Says Samba TV' |website=Deadline Hollywood. |date=April 26, 2021 |access-date=2021-04-26 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816223611/https://deadline.com/2021/04/mortal-kombat-hbo-max-record-viewership-samba-tv-1234744310/ |url-status=live }} It was watched in 4.3 million households during its first week{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/the-batman-hbo-max-viewership-1235009362/|title=The Batman First Week Viewership On HBO Max Bigger Than Streamer's Theatrical Day & Date Titles – CinemaCon|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425200811/https://deadline.com/2022/04/the-batman-hbo-max-viewership-1235009362/|archive-date=April 25, 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 25, 2022|access-date=April 25, 2022}} and 5.5 million households over the first 17 days, a record for an HBO Max title.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/the-suicide-squad-hbo-max-viewership-1234823567/ |title='The Suicide Squad' Most Watched DC Film On HBO Max In Samba TV Households, But Trails 'Mortal Kombat' |date=August 27, 2021 |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827231557/https://deadline.com/2021/08/the-suicide-squad-hbo-max-viewership-1234823567/ |url-status=live }} By the end of its first month, the film had been streamed in over 5.6 million U.S. households.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/2022-box-office-theatrical-streaming-day-date-experiment-1234902774/|title=With Tentpoles Bound To Surge The 2022 Box Office, The Great Theatrical-Streaming Day & Date Experiment Goes Out Like A Dud In 2021|date=January 3, 2022|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 3, 2022|archive-date=January 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103194518/https://deadline.com/2022/01/2022-box-office-theatrical-streaming-day-date-experiment-1234902774/|url-status=live}} In January 2022, tech firm Akami reported that Mortal Kombat was the fifth most pirated film of 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/most-pirated-movies-tv-shows-2021-list/|title='Zack Snyder's Justice League,' 'Black Widow' Among 2021's Most Pirated Movies|first=Andi|last=Ortiz|work=TheWrap |date=January 26, 2022|access-date=February 2, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date= February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202174635/https://www.thewrap.com/most-pirated-movies-tv-shows-2021-list/}}

Mortal Kombat grossed $42.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $42.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $84.4 million.

Release alongside Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train on April 23, 2021. Mortal Kombat was originally projected to gross $10–12 million in its domestic opening weekend, the film made $9 million from 3,073 theaters on its first day of release, increasing estimates to $19 million.{{cite news |last=Lang |first=Brett |date=April 24, 2021 |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-demon-slayer-movie-box-office-1234959555/ |title='Mortal Kombat,' 'Demon Slayer' Locked in Fierce Box Office Battle |website=Variety |access-date=April 24, 2021 |archive-date=April 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424151339/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-demon-slayer-movie-box-office-1234959555/ |url-status=live }} It went on to debut to $23.3 million, topping the box office.{{cite news|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=April 25, 2021|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/mortal-kombat-demon-slayer-weekend-box-office-battle-1234742886/|title='Mortal Kombat' Conquers 'Demon Slayer' After Intense Brawl For No. 1 As Moviegoing Rebounds From Pandemic|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 25, 2021|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424151441/https://deadline.com/2021/04/mortal-kombat-demon-slayer-weekend-box-office-battle-1234742886/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W17/?ref_=bo_hm_rw|title=Domestic 2021 Weekend 17|publisher=Box Office Mojo|accessdate=April 26, 2021|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425175208/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W17/?ref_=bo_hm_rw|url-status=live}} In its second weekend the film dropped 73% to $6.2 million, finishing second behind Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train ($6.4 million),{{cite news|last= D'Alessandro|first= Anthony|date= May 2, 2021|url= https://deadline.com/2021/05/mortal-kombat-demon-slayer-second-weekend-box-office-battle-1234748112/|title= 'Mortal Kombat' & 'Demon Slayer' Continue To Duke It Out In Second Weekend Of Box Office|website= Deadline Hollywood|access-date= May 2, 2021|archive-date= October 24, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211024040732/https://deadline.com/2021/05/mortal-kombat-demon-slayer-second-weekend-box-office-battle-1234748112/|url-status= live}} and $2.4 million in its third weekend.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/jason-statham-guy-ritchie-wrath-of-man-weekend-box-office-summer-season-1234752368/|title=Jason Statham & Guy Ritchie Reteam 'Wrath Of Man' Leads Weekend With A- CinemaScore, As Exhibition Looks Forward To Summer|date=May 9, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508155104/https://deadline.com/2021/05/jason-statham-guy-ritchie-wrath-of-man-weekend-box-office-summer-season-1234752368/|archive-date=May 8, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 9, 2021}}

In its opening international weekend, the film made $10.7 million from 17 countries, with the largest market being Russia ($6.1 million).{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/godzilla-vs-kong-third-weekend-mortal-kombat-opening-china-global-international-box-office-1234732035/ |title='Godzilla Vs Kong' Rises To $358M Worldwide; 'Mortal Kombat' Kicks Off With $11M Overseas – International Box Office |author=Nancy Tartaglione |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 11, 2021 |access-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411163921/https://deadline.com/2021/04/godzilla-vs-kong-third-weekend-mortal-kombat-opening-china-global-international-box-office-1234732035/ |url-status=live }} In its second weekend the film made $5.7 million from 28 countries.{{Cite web|date=April 18, 2021|title=Box Office: 'Mortal Kombat' Nears $20M Overseas As 'Nobody' Nears $35M Global|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2021/04/18/box-office-mortal-kombat-nears-20m-overseas-as-nobody-nears-35m-global/?sh=5fc0e8f5ebb1|website=Forbes|access-date=April 18, 2021|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419042937/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2021/04/18/box-office-mortal-kombat-nears-20m-overseas-as-nobody-nears-35m-global/?sh=5fc0e8f5ebb1|url-status=live}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|55|5.4|300|Largely for fans of the source material but far from fatal(ity) flawed, Mortal Kombat revives the franchise in appropriately violent fashion.|ref=yes|access-date=April 7, 2023}} {{Metacritic film prose |score=44|count=43|ref=yes|access-date=June 7, 2021}} Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.

Alonso Duralde of the TheWrap wrote: "Viewers interested in martial-arts action are bound to find the combat-with-a-C to be lackluster in that way that hand-to-hand fighting tends to be when it gets drowned out by digital effects. More likely to have fun with this latest Mortal Kombat are Sam Raimi enthusiasts who can appreciate the comedy in over-the-top geysers of fake blood, which the film unleashes with increasing regularity as the fights get more serious."{{cite web |last= Duralde |first= Alonso |authorlink= Alonso Duralde |url= https://www.thewrap.com/mortal-kombat-film-revie/ |title= 'Mortal Kombat' Film Review: Silly Game Adaptation Is More 'Evil Dead' Than 'Enter the Dragon' |website= TheWrap |date= April 22, 2021 |access-date= April 22, 2021 |archive-date= April 22, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210422230035/https://www.thewrap.com/mortal-kombat-film-revie/ |url-status= live }} The Hollywood Reporter{{'}}s John DeFore said the film was "not exactly a knockout" and wrote: "A B-movie that would benefit immensely from some wit in the script and charisma in the cast, it's not as aggressively hacky as P.W.S.A.'s oeuvre, but it runs into problems he didn't face in 1995: namely, the bar has been raised quite a bit for movies in which teams of superpowered young people have fights to save the universe."{{cite web|last=DeFore|first=John|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mortal-kombat-film-review-4171209/|title='Mortal Kombat': Film Review|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=April 22, 2021|archive-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509141511/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mortal-kombat-film-review-4171209/|url-status=live}}

Korey Coleman and Martin Thomas of Double Toasted commented that the cast lacked any relatability and furthermore found the character of Cole Young to be a weak and uninteresting protagonist.{{cite web|url=https://doubletoasted.com/shows/mortal-kombat-review-the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review-and-more-dt-power-hours-live-700-pm-cst/|title=MORTAL KOMBAT REVIEW {{!}} THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES REVIEW {{!}} AND MORE – DT Power Hours LIVE @ 7:15 PM CST|website=Double Toasted|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=April 24, 2021|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424054814/https://doubletoasted.com/shows/mortal-kombat-review-the-mitchells-vs-the-machines-review-and-more-dt-power-hours-live-700-pm-cst/|url-status=live}} James Marsh, of the South China Morning Post, gave a positive review, saying, "Director Simon McQuoid understands and honours the film's video game origins, including memorable lines of dialogue and signature fight moves throughout".{{cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3128762/mortal-kombat-movie-review-gleefully-violent-video-game |title=Mortal Kombat movie review: gleefully violent video game adaptation a treat for fans of game franchise |website=South China Morning Post |first=James |last=Marsh |date=April 8, 2021 |access-date=April 14, 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513225121/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3128762/mortal-kombat-movie-review-gleefully-violent-video-game |url-status=live }}

Ben Kenigsberg of The New York Times wrote, "The latest screen adaptation of the video game still shows that trying to construct a coherent plot around these characters is a fatal trap".{{cite web|last=Kenigsberg|first=Ben|title='Mortal Kombat' Review: Battered and Bloody|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/movies/mortal-kombat-review.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=July 10, 2021|date=April 22, 2021|archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504063612/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/movies/mortal-kombat-review.html|url-status=live}} Brian Lowry of CNN gave Mortal Kombat a negative review, writing: "For those on the fence, though, 'Mortal Kombat' is hardly worth starting, much less finishing".{{cite news|last=Lowry|first=Brian|title='Mortal Kombat' ratchets up the gore, but as a movie, it's not a winner|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/22/entertainment/mortal-kombat-review/index.html|access-date=July 10, 2021|work=CNN|publisher=Cable News Network|date=April 23, 2021|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712151357/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/22/entertainment/mortal-kombat-review/index.html|url-status=live}} Matt Goldberg of Collider wrote, "Simon McQuoid's new adaptation is a mostly joyless slog that can't even deliver exhilarating fights".{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/mortal-kombat-review-hbo-max/|title='Mortal Kombat' Rips Out the Heart of What a 'Mortal Kombat' Movie Should Be : Review|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|work=Collider|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=July 10, 2021|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712151401/https://collider.com/mortal-kombat-review-hbo-max/|url-status=live}} Benjamin Lee at The Guardian rated the film 2/5, stating "A silly and dated new attempt to transport the classic fighting game to the big screen is a late-night drunk watch at best".{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Benjamin|date=May 6, 2021|title=Mortal Kombat review – schlock video game adaptation packs a small punch|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/apr/22/mortal-kombat-review|access-date=July 10, 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712151359/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/apr/22/mortal-kombat-review|url-status=live}}

{{main|Mortal Kombat 2 (film)}}

Joe Taslim, who played Sub-Zero in the film, revealed that he signed on for four sequels pending the success of the reboot.{{Cite web|last=Lawrence|first=Gregory|date=2021-04-21|title=Fashion Chooses Safety Over Glitzy Parties for This Year's Oscars, as Chanel Nixes Iconic Dinner for Gift Boxes (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/chanel-oscars-mortal-kombat-joe-taslim-shamier-anderson-twilight-stowaway-1234956412/|access-date=2021-04-23|website=Variety|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427190938/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/chanel-oscars-mortal-kombat-joe-taslim-shamier-anderson-twilight-stowaway-1234956412/|url-status=live}} Co-writer Greg Russo told Collider that he saw the reboot as the start of a trilogy with the second film set during the Mortal Kombat tournament and the third film set post-tournament.{{Cite web|last=Lawrence|first=Gregory|date=2021-04-23|title='Mortal Kombat' Ending Tease, Trilogy Plans, and Alternate Easter Eggs Explained by Writer Greg Russo|url=https://collider.com/mortal-kombat-movie-ending-explained/|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Collider|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428020502/https://collider.com/mortal-kombat-movie-ending-explained/|url-status=live}} On September 14, 2021, Variety reported that Warner Bros. was seeking to develop additional works for its Mortal Kombat universe.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/dune-hbo-max-release-1235062312/|title=Film Critics Say 'Dune' Should Be Seen on the Big Screen. Here's Why Warner Bros. Still Plans to Debut the Movie Simultaneously on HBO Max|website=Variety|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|date=September 14, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914002051/https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/dune-hbo-max-release-1235062312/|url-status=live}}

On January 26, 2022, Warner Bros. officially greenlit the sequel, with McQuoid returning as director and Jeremy Slater writing the screenplay.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/mortal-kombat-sequel-simon-mcquoid-1235073203/|title='Mortal Kombat' Sequel Moving Forward At New Line As Simon McQuoid Returns As Director|website=Deadline|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=July 20, 2022|access-date=July 20, 2022|archive-date=July 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720180301/https://deadline.com/2022/07/mortal-kombat-sequel-simon-mcquoid-1235073203/|url-status=live}} In an interview after the first film's release, McQuoid said that the character of Johnny Cage was not included in the film because the character was a "giant personality" that would throw the film out of balance.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-24|title='Mortal Kombat' Director Simon McQuoid on Sequel Plans, Major Deaths and Johnny Cage|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/features/mortal-kombat-sequel-ending-deaths-johnny-cage-1234955355|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Variety|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519033552/https://variety.com/2021/film/features/mortal-kombat-sequel-ending-deaths-johnny-cage-1234955355/|url-status=live}} While Slater told ComicBook.com that Cage would appear in the sequel, he added that his role therein was currently unknown.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-2-jeremy-slater-johnny-cage-confirmed-movie-sequel/|title=Mortal Kombat 2 Writer Confirms Johnny Cage, Isn't Sure How Much He'll Be Included|website=ComicBook.com|last=Deschamps|first=Marc|date=May 12, 2022|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601122432/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-2-jeremy-slater-johnny-cage-confirmed-movie-sequel/|url-status=live}} Professional wrestler Mike "The Miz" Mizanin openly expressed interest in the part of Cage while receiving support of Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon,{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/mortal-kombat-2-johnny-cage-miz-ed-boon-support/|title=Mortal Kombat Co-Creator Ed Boon Supports Casting The Miz as Johnny Cage|website=Screen Rant|last=Al-Ghamdi|first=Abdullah|date=April 25, 2021|access-date=April 25, 2021|archive-date=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426220119/https://screenrant.com/mortal-kombat-2-johnny-cage-miz-ed-boon-support/|url-status=live}} but according to Garner, Karl Urban was in final talks for the role.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/mortal-kombat-johnny-cage-actor-karl-urban/|title=Karl Urban in Final Talks to Play Johnny Cage in 'Mortal Kombat 2' at New Line|first=Umberto|last=Gonzalez|work=TheWrap|date=May 4, 2023|accessdate=May 29, 2023|archive-date=June 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602164510/https://www.thewrap.com/mortal-kombat-johnny-cage-actor-karl-urban/|url-status=live}} In May 2023, Tati Gabrielle and Adeline Rudolph were cast as Jade and Kitana respectively.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2023-05-19 |title=Tati Gabrielle in Final Talks to Play Jade in 'Mortal Kombat 2' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tati-gabrielle-in-final-talks-to-play-jade-in-mortal-kombat-2-exclusive-1235496546/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526183836/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tati-gabrielle-in-final-talks-to-play-jade-in-mortal-kombat-2-exclusive-1235496546/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=May 25, 2023 |title=Adeline Rudolph to Play Kitana in New Line's 'Mortal Kombat 2' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mortal-kombat-2-adeline-rudolph-kitana-sequel-new-line-1235500960/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525220517/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mortal-kombat-2-adeline-rudolph-kitana-sequel-new-line-1235500960/ |url-status=live }} In June 2023, it was announced that Martyn Ford, Ana Thu Nguyen, Damon Herriman (not returning as the voice of Kabal) and Desmond Chiam were cast as Shao Kahn, Sindel, Quan Chi and King Jerrod.{{cite web | last=Grobar | first=Matt | title='Mortal Kombat 2': Martyn Ford, Desmond Chiam, Ana Thu Nguyen & Damon Herriman Join New Line Sequel | website=Deadline | date=15 June 2023 | url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/mortal-kombat-2-adds-damon-herriman-martyn-ford-more-1235418062/ | access-date=16 June 2023 | archive-date=June 16, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616170615/https://deadline.com/2023/06/mortal-kombat-2-adds-damon-herriman-martyn-ford-more-1235418062/ | url-status=live }} It was also announced in June that the cast from the first film such as Lewis Tan, Ludi Lin, Tadanobu Asano, Jessica McNamee, Chin Han and Hiroyuki Sanada would be returning to reprise their roles in the sequel.{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-2-rounds-out-the-rest-of-its-cast | last=Stedman | first=Alex | work=IGN | date=June 15, 2023 | access-date=June 18, 2023 | title=Archived copy | archive-date=June 17, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617225813/https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-2-rounds-out-the-rest-of-its-cast | url-status=live }}

On April 17, 2023, Garner confirmed that filming would run from June to September in Queensland, Australia,{{citation needed|reason=no source citing filming location|date=May 2023}} while That Hashtag Show reported that Shao Kahn, Baraka, Kitana, Quan Chi, and Sindel were slated to appear.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-movie-2-mk2-filming/|title=Mortal Kombat 2 Movie Producer Confirms When Filming Will Begin|website=ComicBook.com|last=Moore|first=Logan|date=April 17, 2023|access-date=April 18, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417232322/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-movie-2-mk2-filming/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://thathashtagshow.com/2023/04/17/meet-the-new-characters-of-mortal-kombat-2-exclusive/|title=Meet the New Characters of "Mortal Kombat 2"|website=That Hashtag Show|last=Bolding|first=Hunter|date=April 17, 2023|access-date=April 18, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417232323/https://thathashtagshow.com/2023/04/17/meet-the-new-characters-of-mortal-kombat-2-exclusive/|url-status=live}}

• List of films based on video games

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• {{Official website|https://www.mortalkombatmovie.com/}}
• {{IMDb title|0293429}}

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