Mortal Kombat (2021)
- The original script for Mortal Kombat was written over a decade before production finally began in 2021.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
- Before Lewis Tan was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
Mortal Kombat is a 2021 American martial arts fantasy action film directed by Simon McQuoid, a reboot based on the iconic video game franchise. Lewis Tan stars as Cole Young, an original character and MMA fighter who discovers he bears the dragon mark indicating he has been chosen to represent Earthrealm in an ancient tournament against the forces of Outworld. The film assembled a diverse cast portraying beloved game characters including Sub-Zero played by Joe Taslim, Scorpion played by Hiroyuki Sanada, Sonya Blade played by Jessica McNamee, Jax played by Mehcad Brooks, and Kano played by Josh Lawson.
The opening sequence depicting the feud between Hanzo Hasashi (Scorpion) and Bi-Han (Sub-Zero) in feudal Japan was a brutal, beautifully staged fight that established the film's commitment to visceral, R-rated violence faithful to the games' trademark fatalities. Mortal Kombat earned $83 million worldwide during a simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max release.
