Get ready to have your mind blown: Mortal Kombat 3 is officially happening, even before the second film hits theaters! This jaw-dropping announcement came straight from New York Comic Con, where screenwriter Jeremy Slater dropped the bombshell alongside the star-studded cast and crew of the franchise. But here's where it gets even more exciting: Slater revealed he's already penning the script for the third installment, thanks to Warner Bros. and New Line's unwavering confidence in the massive fanbase. Talk about a vote of confidence!
Joined by fan favorites like Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, and Tati Gabrielle, Slater shared the stage with the team behind this martial arts fantasy juggernaut. The sequel, Mortal Kombat II, is set to unleash its fury on May 15, but the studios are already playing the long game. And this is the part most people miss: the Mortal Kombat films aren't just about bone-crushing fights—they're a deep dive into the epic clash between Earthrealm's heroes and Outworld's chaotic villains. Think Cole Young, Sonya Blade, and Liu Kang versus Mileena, Shang Tsung, and Goro. It's a battle for the ages, and the stakes are higher than ever.
But here's the controversial part: With the first film grossing $84 million worldwide on a $55 million budget during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, some might argue that the franchise's success is as much about timing as it is about its loyal fanbase. Was it the simultaneous HBO Max release that sealed the deal, or is Mortal Kombat truly a cultural phenomenon? Weigh in below—we want to hear your take!
The sequel promises to expand the tournament-style storyline, bringing back fan-favorite characters like Lewis Tan's Cole Young and Hiroyuki Sanada's Scorpion. Newcomers like Karl Urban as Johnny Cage and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana are set to shake things up. Directed by Simon McQuoid, whose 2021 adaptation became HBO Max's most successful film launch at the time, the franchise is clearly in capable hands.
Produced by heavyweights like James Wan and Todd Garner, and with a screenplay by Greg Russo and Dave Callaham, Mortal Kombat has always been a labor of love. But with the third film already in the works, the question remains: Can the franchise keep up the momentum, or is it banking too heavily on nostalgia? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one debate you won't want to miss!
