Mortal Kombat movie hits HBO Max and movie theaters April 23, bringing Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, and a dozen other classic (and not-so-classic) kombatants back to the big screen.
Mortal Kombat, directed by first-time feature filmmaker Simon McQuoid, also makes a big swerve: The movie introduces an entirely new original character to the mythology named Cole Young.
Cole’s introduction to the Mortal Kombat franchise was controversial from the start, when his character was revealed in early casting leaks, but he plays an important role in the new film. He effectively replaces series veteran Johnny Cage as
Mortal Kombat’s audience insert. Like Cage, he’s in over his head, but Cole does not enter a mystical multidimensional tournament for ego-driven reasons. Cole is a failed mixed martial arts fighter who unwittingly finds himself the target of forces beyond his understanding and must fight for Earth alongside Liu Kang, Raiden, Jax, and Sonya Blade.