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Warning: This article contains spoilers for “Mortal Kombat II.”
Before diving into the intricacies of “Mortal Kombat II,” it’s wise to first catch up on our recap of the film. This installment devotes considerable time to delving into its lore and deftly setting the stage for its sequel. The conclusion of the movie makes it clear that the franchise is merely getting started. The surviving heroes embark on a quest to resurrect their fallen comrades—a vow Liu Kang (played by Ludi Lin) makes to Kung Lao (Max Huang) earlier in the film. But what exactly does the hinted sequel entail, and where are our protagonists headed in the already anticipated third “Mortal Kombat” movie?
One of the most significant hints lies in the Amulet of Shinnok, which Shao Kahn (portrayed by Martyn Ford) wields to grant himself immortality. Shinnok is a fallen Elder God with strong ties to the Netherrealm, a major setting in “Mortal Kombat II.” This character originally appeared in “Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero” and later returned as the central antagonist in the 1997 game “Mortal Kombat 4,” following Shao Kahn’s reign of terror.
In addition to Shinnok, another potential villain looms on the horizon. The mission to revive fallen allies—likely revenants such as Kung Lao and Sindel (Ana Thu Nguyen)—hints at the appearance of Quan Chi, the necromancer known for creating revenants. Played by Damon Herriman, famous for portraying Charles Manson twice, this casting choice suggests a fresh take on Quan Chi, diverging from the servile role he assumes in “Mortal Kombat II.”
Amid the hints of villainy, there are also promising signs of heroic figures we might encounter in the possible “Mortal Kombat III.” Throughout the film, Liu Kang’s fire magic prowess grows, and his peculiar “defeat-but-not-quite” moment against Shao Kahn near the movie’s climax suggests his evolution into the God of Fire, mirroring his character’s progression in the games. As the fire god, Liu Kang is canonically destined to rule the Netherrealm following Shinnok’s defeat, so we can anticipate a formidable Liu Kang if a third movie sees the light of day.
Mortal Kombat II teases major character developments
Along with villain teases, we get hints about heroic characters we might see in the potential “Mortal Kombat III.” Liu Kang ups his fire magic game throughout the movie, and his odd “defeat, but not really” moment at the hands of Shao Kahn near the end seems to confirm that he’s ascending to God of Fire status, as he does in the games. As it happens, fire god Liu Kang is who canonically takes over Netherrealm after Shinnok’s defeat, so expect to see a very powerful Liu return in the possible third movie.
Combined with a sequel likely being named “Mortal Kombat III,” and the teases of a revenant-rescuing storyline imply that we might see some specific characters from the “Mortal Kombat 3” game, all of whom spend time as revenants. These would include riot cop Kurtis Stryker and the Native American hero Nightwolf. Kabal, a “Mortal Kombat 3” character who appeared and perished in the 2021 film, might also make his return as a revenant — especially since he happens to be voiced by Quan Chi actor Damon Herriman in the 2021 movie.
The first “Mortal Kombat II” reactions left critics stunned, and seeing as many of the “Mortal Kombat II” rumors that got fans hyped indeed turned out to be true, it’s no surprise. Here’s hoping the action-heavy movie will find a big enough audience to warrant further entries.