WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Mortal Kombat, in theaters and on HBO Max now.
The writer of the new Mortal Kombat film said Nitara's appearance in the film is due to his love of the character.
In the Mortal Kombat games, Nitara, the winged Outworld fighter from the film, is typically neutral in the fight between the realms. But in the film reboot, she's on Shang Tsang's team. Writer Greg Russo spoke to ComicBook about the movie and the outlet learned he's actually a big fan of the fighter.
"Nitara is in there because of me, yes," Russo said. "I chose to put that character in there. I thought she was a lot of fun. I thought she was never really given any much of a spotlight to shine, and so we were looking to kind of pad the Outworld roster a little bit, and we were looking for characters... Even though she's neutral in the source material, the idea that Shang Tsung is able to manipulate anyone really that he has dominated over the years, felt like she could be a natural fit for that team."
Though Nitara fans have Russo to thank for her inclusion in the movie, it's a bittersweet victory as the character doesn't get the chance to do much except die at the hands of Kung Lao's fatality. The movie is a love-letter to fans and the games, however, as the death of Nitara proves. But despite the many game references, a "Toasty!" Easter egg was cut while the infamous Babality moves were not even considered.
Inspired by the blockbuster video game franchise, which most recently enjoyed the most successful video game launch in its history with Mortal Kombat 11, Mortal Kombat features MMA fighter Cole Young, a brand new character to the Mortal Kombat universe, played by Lewis Tan.
In the film, Cole is unaware of his heritage, and why he is being hunted by Outworld's Emperor Shang Tsung’s best warrior, Sub-Zero. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Once he is brought to the temple of Lord Raiden, Cole begins his training with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao and rogue mercenary Kano. Soon he will stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe.
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 is now in theaters and on HBO Max.
Source: ComicBook