In the Mortal Kombat universe, Hanzo Hasashi -- aka Scorpion -- is well known for his iconic kunai blade, which he ensnares his victims with. That same blade will play a major role in the upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot.
"We did a bit of research and the kunai is actually an ancient Japanese gardening tool," director Simon McQuoid told Entertainment Weekly. "So, one of the earliest shots in the movie is the kunai blade being used as a gardening tool by Hanzo's wife."
That same tool becomes a deadly weapon in the hands of Hasashi when he confronts his rival Bi-Han, better known to fans as the cryokinetic warrior Sub-Zero. McQuoid confirmed that the film's 10-minute opening sequence features "a pretty nasty hand-to-hand combat" between the two warriors, long before they gained their supernatural abilities.
"[Hanzo's] the leader of a ninja clan and he's strong, but also… at the beginning, he's a peaceful family man," Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Hasashi, added. "It is like a family drama with excitingly brutal fighting. That's the image of this movie for me."
Mortal Kombat will hew fairly closely to the games, and include the game's infamous fatalities according to screenwriter Greg Russo. Producer Todd Gardner has also hinted that a trailer will debut in 2021.
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.
Source: Entertainment Weekly