Mortal Kombat is almost upon us! Despite the fact we’ve barely gotten any glimpses of Simon McQuoid’s adaptation of the beloved, bloody video game fighting series, the movie is hitting theatres in just two months. So it’s about time we actually got to see something of it.
Scorpion
Warner Bros. has released the first set of character posters for the movie ahead of a new trailer, giving us our first look at a bunch of iconic Mortal Kombat characters for the first time. Like Scorpion here, played by Hiroyuki Sanada. Sure looks like a devilish ninja, so, a) accurate, b) like what is approximately one-third of Mortal Kombat’s playable roster at any given point.
[referenced id=”1667660″ url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2021/01/enjoy-these-tiny-peeks-at-the-suicide-squad-space-jam-2-and-actual-mortal-kombat-footage/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/28/ur7lutidjh6rhkr4lucs-300×169.jpg” title=”Enjoy These Tiny Peeks at The Suicide Squad, Space Jam 2, and Actual Mortal Kombat Footage” excerpt=”HBO Max has just served up a tasty video assortment platter of new looks at the Warner Bros. movies that will be debuting this year on the streaming service, and you’ll want to have a taste. Besides amuse-bouches from The Suicide Squad and Space Jam sequels, it contains some rather…”]
Sub-Zero
Like, say, Sub-Zero, played by Joe Taslim. One of the few things we do know about the movie is that it will explore the past origins of the feud between Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s Ninja Clans, and the conflict that sees the two turn into these supernatural fighters.
Shang Tsung
If evil ninjas weren’t enough, what about the sinister Shang Tsung, played by Chin Han, the architect behind the titular fighting tournament?
Mileena
Then there’s Sisi Stringer’s Mileena, one of Shang Tsung’s subordinates. In older games, she was essentially a palette swap of another female character we don’t see in these posters, Kitana. At least her design is a little more unique here, as it has been in recent entries of the game series.
Kano
On the less supernatural but still arsehole side of things, you’ve got the mercenary Kano, played by Josh Lawson. Not quite as cybernetic-looking as he is in the games, but there’s still something sinister about that eye.
Raiden
Helping marshal the forces of Earthrealm to fight in Shang Tsung’s tournament is the mystical Thunder God, Raiden, played by Tadanobu Asano. And he’ll be joined by two of his stalwart apprentices…
Kung-Lao
Kung-Lao, played by Max Huang, and best known for being a dab hand with his very sharp hat…
Liu Kang
And the kick-king himself, the fiery martial artist Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), one of the series’ most important fighters. Also, sometimes he can just turn into a dragon and completely wreck someone, that’s cool.
Jax Briggs
Raiden and his apprentices will be coming to the aid of a few less-supernaturally inclined warriors of Earth, but even then, cybernetic pugilist Jax Briggs (Supergirl’s Mehcad Brooks) can hold his own against a ninja or two.
Sonya Blade
Jax’s stalwart ally and a member of the U.S. Special Forces, Sonya (Jessica McNamee) was part of a team on the hunt for Kano before she found herself getting caught up in the tussle between Outworld and Earthrealm.
Cole Young
Lastly, we have someone who’s not a familiar face from the games: Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan. A young MMA fighter, Cole finds himself caught up in the strange, mystical fight between Raiden and Shang Tsung’s forces, but for him, it might feel more like destiny. Especially since he’s got a strange birthmark that’s basically the Mortal Kombat logo burned into his chest. Just sayin’!
We’ll find out more when Mortal Kombat’s first trailer drops on Friday.