In 1995, the movie Mortal Kombat made a significant mark as the first successful adaptation of a video game into a film, achieving notable box office success. However, just two years later, “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation” disappointed audiences with a poorly executed “fatality” scene, leaving many fans disheartened. Now, nearly 20 years later, the legendary video game series Mortal Kombat is set to make a comeback on the big screen.
According to current reports, New Line Cinema is working to find a good director for the reboot, aiming to re-establish the action film franchise in the near future. The impressive success of the recent game entries, “Mortal Kombat 9” and “Mortal Kombat X,” has proven that this iconic brand still holds potential. However, transitioning it into a live-action film is not an easy task.
While the first film accomplished a remarkable feat by successfully capturing the essence of the video game and appealing to mainstream audiences, the reality remains that it still fell short of being a flawless adaptation. Therefore, if the new film wants to attract viewers and achieve good box office results in today’s competitive landscape, it needs to aim for a “good, but not great” standard.
Before the production studio officially announces more specific details, here are 7 elements that hardcore fans hope to see in the new “Mortal Kombat” film:
Honor the Original Concept
Both the game and film adaptations of “Mortal Kombat” celebrate the spirit of martial arts films from the 1970s. The basic storyline revolves around several main characters competing in a secret martial arts tournament that could determine the fate of humanity. The new film must honor this original concept once again.
Stay True to the Characters
Subsequent game installments of “Mortal Kombat” have expanded the universe significantly with numerous additional characters. However, for the reboot, the focus should be on the original seven characters: Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Kano, and Raiden, along with a few others like Jax, Kung Lao, or Kitana. One of the shortcomings of the previous film was the lack of depth for important characters like Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Therefore, the new film must respect and stay closer to the original character concepts.
Importance of the Plot
Many film adaptations of video games fail to meet expectations when they enter production with a lack of understanding of the source material. Fans don’t just want to see a film based on a beloved game; they want to experience a well-crafted story. Creating a compelling narrative requires significant time and effort, and the characters should not be merely superficial but should have depth and development throughout the plot.
Iconic Battles
One of the reasons fans want to see “Mortal Kombat” return to the big screen is the iconic battles portrayed in the game that are rich with drama. In the first film from 1995, the production team executed this aspect quite well by casting several real martial artists, which added authenticity to the intense fight scenes. Each battle in the new film should carry significant weight, serve the story, and escalate tension to keep the audience engaged.
Fatalities
The term “Fatality” is synonymous with “Mortal Kombat,” and it is considered one of the signature features of the franchise. Fans undoubtedly want to see the brutal and creative finishing moves that have become iconic in the game, depicted in a way that captures the essence of their violent nature.
Goro
In the previous film, the character Goro made an appearance but did not play a significant role. In the game, Goro is a crucial character, known as a “sub-boss” in the original “Mortal Kombat.” He has influenced many other characters in the franchise. Therefore, the new film could elevate Goro to a more prominent role, making him a central character with a more developed personality rather than simply a large, menacing brute.
Exploring “Outworld” in Future Installments
“Mortal Kombat II” was the first game to introduce players to the realm of “Outworld,” which plays a significant role in the storyline. However, the concept of “Outworld” and its intriguing details were barely touched upon in the first film reboot. If the new film achieves commercial success, future sequels should explore “Outworld” more thoroughly to avoid disappointing audiences with a lack of depth.
Source: Nerdist
