It's safe to say Mortal Kombat is still one of the world's most popular franchises. It's spawned comics, cartoons, as well as a few live-action films -- with Warner Bros. currently working on a sequel to the latest reboot. But no matter what, it's the video games fans will gravitate,as seen recently with MKX and MK11.
The sales and critical reception proved the fire's burning as bright as ever. It's why loyalists are keenly awaiting news on Mortal Kombat 12, eager to see how the property evolves, especially with its dynamic story mode, Krypt, Test-Your-Might challenges, and, of course, the DLC packs. The latter certainly creates a lot of buzz online, so let's dissect who Ed Boon and co. could bring in seeing as folks (and Boon himself) are constantly speculating.
MK12 Could Bring in Michael Myers from Halloween
Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, and Freddy Krueger have previously joined Mortal Kombat as DLC characters, opening the door for Michael Myers. While some may vouch for Scream's Ghostface, the Halloween slasher is one of the genre's original killers and a definitive badass, plus the new movies have the franchise percolating top of mind. As such, it's easy to envision Michael using his machetes, hammers, and just about anything else to maim folks. He has that invincible supernatural aura, so he fits the series, how villains walk through attacks, and how he rips people apart with his immortal presence as the Shape of Evil.
MK12 Can Pass Judgment With Dredd
Judge Dredd would excite 2000 AD Comics fans and those who loved what Sylvester Stallone and Karl Urban did in the movies. Dredd would have his bike, blaster, grenades, and such, nodding to how MK already uses gunmen such as Erron Black and Terminator. Dredd as law enforcement already has an easy-in, as the franchise could use him as a replacement for Curtis Stryker, evolving Sonya Blade and the Special Ops team. Apart from him loving to pump folks with bullets, Dredd's one-liners about being the law would be worth the price of purchase alone.
MK12 Can Soak in John's Wickedness
Action fans adore Keanu Reeves' John Wick, with many hyped for John Wick 4 this year. Thus, Mortal Kombat could capitalize on that traction that never seems to die. John has been revered as the man who reignited the blood, guts, and gore in the genre, which fits perfectly into the iconic fighting game series that pushed boundaries in the '90s. He can wield knives, swords, guns, bombs, and pull off Fatalities using pencils, nodding to key movie kills. John really is a one-man army, plus he's got a ton props for X-ray combos and Brutalities, including his arsenal of cars, bike, dog packs, and even horses.
MK12 Matches V for Vendetta's Vengeance
A main theme has always been vengeance, per feuds like Shang Tsung and Liu Kang, or Scorpion and Sub-Zero. What better person, therefore, to involve in an all-out revenge scheme than Vertigo's V? The V for Vendetta anarchist also uses blades and bombs, acting as the counterpoint to the Joker that's already been a DLC add-on. V's got potential for amazing intros, plus as a superhuman derived from experiments, he's the perfect mutant to deem excursions from other realms as threats that need to be blown up. He's the closest MK may come to a bloodier Batman, which the DC crossover lacked.
MK12 Can Bask in M3GAN's Mayhem
Mortal Kombat has some great female fighters, with characters such as Jade, Kitana, and Sonya packing a punch. MK12 could kick it up a notch with a death-bot in M3GAN, who is currently one of cinema's hottest properties. This kill-doll loves using blades, can operate at super-speeds and run like a tiger, and is very tough to end. Thus, MK can add its own android spin, leveling her up with more built-in weapons such as flamethrowers and grenades, or AI control of drones, nodding to Sektor, Cyrax, and Smoke. She'd have hilarious lines during her Fatalities, plus M3GAN's dance is already fit for a Friendship.