Fantasy-themed fighting game Mortal Kombat made the jump to the big screen in 1995, with Paul W.S. Anderson directing what remains one of the more successful video game movies to date. However, its sequel, 1997's Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, was a failure across the board, which led to the live-action Mortal Kombat film series being put on ice for over two decades. However, the series will finally return this year with Mortal Kombat, a reboot of the franchise directed by first-time director Simon McQuoid and produced by James Wan.
Like the rest of Warner Bros.' 2021 movies, the R-rated Mortal Kombat will open theatrically on the same day it begins streaming on HBO Max for a month. With marketing underway ahead of its release in the spring, we've put together a guide to the film's cast and the characters they're playing.
Cole Young (Lewis Tan)
Cole Young is Mortal Kombat's protagonist and an original character created for the film. An MMA fighter unaware of his true heritage, Cole is forced to go on the run after the Outworld's Emperor Shang Tsung sends his deadliest warrior, Sub-Zero, to track him down. Eventually, Cole finds his way to temple of Lord Raiden and trains alongside his most experienced warriors in the hopes of becoming one of Earth's greatest champions. Cole is played by Lewis Tan, who's known for his roles as Gaius Chau on Into the Badlands and Lu Xin Lee in Wu Assassins. He also had small roles in Marvel's Iron Fist and Deadpool 2.
Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee)
One of the seven characters created for the original Mortal Kombat video game in 1992, Sonya Blade is a second-generation United States Special Forces officer and is close friends with Jackson "Jax" Briggs. She is known for being impulsive and has a fighting style modeled after famous martial artist Cynthia Rothrock. In the Mortal Kombat movie reboot, Sonya is one of the characters who assists Cole on his journey to find Lord Raiden's temple and embracing his destiny. She is played by Jessica McNamee, who also played Theresa on the TV series Sirens and had a small role in The Meg.
Jackson "Jax" Briggs (Mehcad Brooks)
Sonya's superior in the United States Special Forces, Jackson "Jax" Briggs was introduced in the second Mortal Kombat video game, Mortal Kombat II, in 1993. Generally, Jax serves as an authority figure to those around him and is easy to recognize thanks to his metal bionic arms, which he's had since the third game in the franchise. In the R-rated Mortal Kombat, Jax advises Cole to go looking for Sonya and bears the same "strange dragon marking" as him. Jax is played by Mehcad Brooks, who also played Eggs on True Blood. Nowadays, though, he's better known for portraying James Olsen on the Arrowverse series Supergirl.
Bi-Han/Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim)
Bi-Han is the birth name of the original Sub-Zero, a character who made his debut in the first Mortal Kombat video game. He is known for his super-human ability to wield ice and tends to be less heroic than his younger brother Kai Liang, who made his debut in Mortal Kombat II. The Mortal Kombat movie reboot's Sub-Zero is described as an "otherworldly Cryomancer" who hunts for Cole at the behest of Emperor Shang Tsung. He is played by Joe Taslim, who portrays Li Yong on the TV series Warrior and appeared in films like The Raid and Fast & Furious 6.
Shang Tsung (Chin Han)
A dangerous warlock who served as the final boss in the original Mortal Kombat game, Shang Tsung is cursed to steal the souls of those he defeats in combat lest he die a premature death. This allows him to not only stay young but also absorb his enemies' knowledge and fighting abilities. Shang is portrayed by Chin Han in the Mortal Kombat film reboot, where he reigns as the leader of Outworld. Han has also played recurring roles on the TV series Arrow and Marco Polo, in addition to supporting characters in movies like The Dark Knight, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Skyscraper.
Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada)
Also known as Hanzo Hasashi, Scorpion is an undead Japanese ninja who was killed by Bi-Han/Sub-Zero, a member of a rival group of Chinese assassins. Introduced in the first Mortal Kombat game, Scorpion is known for joining forces with anyone who will assist him in his quest for revenge against Sub-Zero. Seeing as Cole is being hunted by Sub-Zero in the Mortal Kombat movie reboot, it stands to reason Scorpion will become the former's ally at some point. The character is played by Hiroyuki Sanada, who's best known for his roles in TV series like Extant and Helix, along with his turn as Shingen in The Wolverine.
Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano)
Inspired by Raijin, the Japanese god of thunder and lightning, Lord Raiden is an Elder God who defends the Earthrealm from threats alongside his greater warriors. Raiden has been around since the original Mortal Kombat game and is capable of wielding lightning, in addition to being able to fly and teleport. Upon discovering Cole has the "strange dragon marking," Raiden allows him entrance to his temple and trains him for the upcoming battle against Outworld in the Mortal Kombat film reboot. He is played by Tadanobu Asano, who is best known for his role as Hogun in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Liu Kang (Ludi Lin)
One of the Earthrealm's greatest defenders, Liu Kang was mentored by Raiden and introduced as a Shaolin monk in the original Mortal Kombat game. Liu was known for avoiding killing or permanently harming his opponents due to his Shaolin beliefs in the earlier games. Over the years, though, Liu has evolved in a darker and more violent direction recently. He is one of the warriors who will train Cole in the Mortal Kombat movie reboot and stand alongside him in the battle for Earth. Liu is played by Ludi Lin, who is best known for portraying Zack, the Black Ranger, in the 2017 Powers Rangers film.
Kung Lao (Max Huang)
Easy to recognize thanks to his iconic hat, which doubles as a weapon, Kung Lao was introduced in Mortal Kombat II and is descended from the Great Kung Lao, a champion of Mortal Kombat hundreds of years ago. A former member of the White Lotus Society, Kung has a sibling-like relationship with Liu and similarly serves as a defender of the Earthrealm under Raiden's watch. Together, Kung and Liu will train Cole in the Mortal Kombat movie reboot. Kung is played by Max Huang, an actor and stunt performer who's done stunt work in films like Kingsman: The Secret Service and Hitman: Agent 47.
Kano (Josh Lawson)
The Australian mercenary Kano is a member of the Black Dragon crime cartel and readily stands out thanks to his cybernetic metal faceplate and infrared eye laser. He has typically served as Sonya and Jax's enemy since his debut in the first Mortal Kombat game and is a notorious fugitive, having committed crimes across the world. Interestingly, Kano is said to be among those who train with Cole at Raiden's temple in the Mortal Kombat movie reboot, which raises the question of whether he's a double-agent or a force for good. He is played by Josh Lawson, who is best known for playing Doug Guggenheim on House of Lies.
Directed by Simon McQuoid and produced by James Wan, Mortal Kombat stars Lewis Tan as Cole Young; Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade; Josh Lawson as Kano; Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden; Mehcad Brooks as Jackson "Jax" Bridges; Ludi Lin as Liu Kang; Chin Han as Shang Tsung; Joe Taslim as Bi-Han and Sub-Zero; Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion; Max Huang as Kung Lao; Sisi Stringer as Mileena; Matilda Kimber as Emily Young; and Laura Brent as Allison Young. The film arrives in theaters and on HBO Max April 16.