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Revision as of 14:08, 20 July 2023

Mortal Kombat
Official film series logo
Directed by
Based onMortal Kombat
by Ed Boon & John Tobias
Produced by
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
New Line Cinema (1-Annihilation)
Release dates
  • August 18, 1995 (1995-08-18) (1)
  • November 21, 1997 (1997-11-21) (2)
  • April 23, 2021 (2021-04-23) (3)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
BudgetTotal (3 films)
$103 million
Box officeTotal (3 films)
$204.2 million

Mortal Kombat is an American series of martial arts action films based on the fighting video game series of the same name by Midway Games. The first film was produced by Lawrence Kasanoff’s Threshold Entertainment.

The first film, Mortal Kombat, was released in 1995 and its sequel, Mortal Kombat Annihilation, was released in 1997. After the two films, game publisher Midway filed for bankruptcy. Warner Bros., having become the parent of New Line Cinema in 2008 (after over a decade of both operating as separate divisions of Time Warner), made a bid to purchase most of Midway's assets, including Mortal Kombat. In June 2009, Kasanoff and Threshold sued in bankruptcy court, arguing that they owned the copyright to many of the characters from the series.[1]

On July 1, 2009, the bankruptcy court approved the sale of most of Midway's assets to Warner Bros.[2] subject to the intellectual property claims of Threshold Entertainment.[3] After years of development hell, a reboot of the series was released in April 2021.

Films

Live-action

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
Original series
Mortal Kombat August 18, 1995 Paul W. S. Anderson Kevin Droney Lawrence Kasanoff
Mortal Kombat Annihilation November 21, 1997 John R. Leonetti Brent V. Friedman and Bryce Zabel Lawrence Kasanoff, Joshua Wexler and John Tobias
Reboot series
Mortal Kombat April 23, 2021 Simon McQuoid Greg Russo and David Callaham Oren Uziel and Greg Russo James Wan, Todd Garner, Simon McQuoid and E. Bennett Walsh
Mortal Kombat 2 TBA Jeremy Slater[4] James Wan, Michael Clear, Todd Garner, Simon McQuoid and E. Bennett Walsh

Mortal Kombat (1995)

Main article: Mortal Kombat (1995 film)

Three unknown martial artists are summoned to a mysterious island to compete in a tournament whose outcome will decide the fate of the world.

Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997)

Main article: Mortal Kombat Annihilation

A group of martial arts warriors have only six days to save the Earth from an extra-dimensional invasion.

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Main article: Mortal Kombat (2021 film)

A washed-up mixed martial arts fighter named Cole Young is unaware of his hidden lineage or why Lin Kuei assassin Sub-Zero is hunting him down. Concerned for the safety of his family, he seeks out a clique of fighters that were chosen to defend Earthrealm against Outworld.

Animated

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s)
Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins April 11, 1995 Joseph Francis Kevin Droney Lawrence Kasanoff and Alison Savitch
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge April 14, 2020 Ethan Spaulding Jeremy Adams Rick Morales and Jim Krieg
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms August 31, 2021
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind October 11, 2022 Rick Morales
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match 2023 TBA

Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins (1995)

On April 11, 1995,[5] New Line Home Video, Turner Home Entertainment and Threshold Entertainment released a tie-in animated film on VHS and Laserdisc, titled Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins. Serving as a prequel to the feature film, it follows the protagonists Liu Kang, Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade as they travel on a mysterious boat to the Mortal Kombat tournament. On the way they meet Raiden, who provides them with some hints about how to survive the tournament and defeat Shang Tsung and his army of Tarkatan minions. Upon arriving at the island where the battles takes place, Raiden retells the origins of Shang Tsung, Goro, Scorpion, Sub-Zero and the Great Kung Lao in between fight scenes.

The film featured a combination of traditional animation, motion capture, and CGI to explain the origins behind some of the movie's main characters, as well as a fifteen-minute behind-the-scenes documentary of the theatrical release. Trailers of the film were seen on the promotional screener VHS copy, and on other VHS releases from Turner Home Entertainment and New Line Home Video. The film was included on the Mortal Kombat Blu-ray released in April 2011.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2020)

Main article: Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge

A direct-to-video animated film called Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge was released by Warner Bros. Animation on digital April 14, 2020, and on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on April 28. The film is directed by Ethan Spaulding and written by Jeremy Adams. The voice cast includes Patrick Seitz as Scorpion, Steve Blum as Sub-Zero, Darin De Paul as Quan Chi, Jordan Rodrigues as Liu Kang, Joel McHale as Johnny Cage, & Jennifer Carpenter as Sonya Blade. Kevin Michael Richardson also reprises his role of Goro from the 1995 live action film.[6] The film's premise centers around Scorpion seeking revenge on those who murdered his family and clan, after being resurrected by Quan Chi, while Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade are chosen to participate in the Mortal Kombat tournament to save Earthrealm from Outworld.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms (2021)

Main article: Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms

A sequel, entitled Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, with most of the cast and crew from Scorpion's Revenge, was released on August 31, 2021.[7][8]

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind (2022)

Main article: Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind

Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match (2023)

Main article: Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match

In an interview in October 2022, Jeremy Adams revealed that he is writing the 4th Mortal Kombat Legends film.[9]

Cast and crew

Recurring cast and characters

List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
  •  U indicates an uncredited appearance.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
Characters Animated films Live-action films
Mortal Kombat:
The Journey Begins 		Mortal Kombat Legends: Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat
Annihilation 		Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat 2
Scorpion's Revenge Battle of the Realms Snow Blind Cage Match
Liu Kang Randy HamiltonV Jordan RodriguesV Pictured TBA Robin Shou Ludi Lin
Sonya Blade Jennifer HaleV Jennifer CarpenterV Bridgette Wilson Sandra Hess Jessica McNamee
Johnny Cage Jeff Glen BennettV Joel McHaleV Joel McHaleV Linden Ashby Chris Conrad Pictured Karl Urban
Raiden Ron A. FeinbergV Dave B. MitchellV Pictured Christopher Lambert James Remar Tadanobu Asano
Hanzo Hasashi
Scorpion 		Ed BoonVU Patrick SeitzV Chris Casamassa J. J. Perry Hiroyuki Sanada
Ed BoonV
Kuai Liang Sub-Zero Jim CummingsV Bayardo De MurguiaV Ron YuanV Keith Cooke
Bi-Han Steve BlumV François Petit Joe Taslim
Shang Tsung Artt ButlerV Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Cary-Hiroyuki TagawaA Chin Han
Goro Ron A. FeinbergV Kevin Michael RichardsonV Tom Woodruff Jr. Angus SampsonV
Kevin Michael RichardsonV
Frank WelkerV
Kitana Grey GriffinV Talisa Soto Adeline Rudolph
Jax Ike AmadiV Gregory McKinney Lynn Red Williams Mehcad Brooks
Shao Kahn Fred TatascioreV Frank WelkerV Brian Thompson Pictured Martyn Ford
Shinnok Robin Atkin DownesV Reiner Schöne Pictured
Quan Chi Darin De PaulV Damon Herriman
Kano Robin Atkin DownesV David WenhamV Trevor Goddard Josh Lawson
Kung Lao Appeared Matt Yang KingV Max Huang
Jade Emily O'BrienV Deleted scene Irina Pantaeva Tati Gabrielle
Mileena Grey GriffinV Dana Hee Sisi Stringer
Cyrax Artt ButlerV J. J. Perry
Smoke Matthew MercerV Ridley Tsui
Reiko Robin Atkin DownesV Nathan Jones
Kabal Keith SilversteinV Daniel Nelson
Damon HerrimanV
Reptile Appeared Keith Cooke Keith CookeA CGI
Frank WelkerV
Chan Kang[a] Steven Ho Steven HoA
Sindel Musetta Vander Ana Thu Nguyen
Cole Young[b] Lewis Tan

Crew

Occupation Film
Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat
Annihilation 		Mortal Kombat
Director(s) Paul W. S. Anderson John R. Leonetti Simon McQuoid
Producer Lawrence Kasanoff James Wan
Todd Garner
Simon McQuoid
E. Bennett Walsh
Writer(s) Kevin Droney Screenplay by
Brent V. Friedman
Bryce Zabel
Story by
Lawrence Kasanoff
Joshua Wexler
John Tobias 		Screenplay by
Greg Russo
David Callaham[7]
Story by
Oren Uziel[7]
Greg Russo
Composer George S. Clinton Benjamin Wallfisch
Director(s) of photography John R. Leonetti Matthew F. Leonetti Germain McMicking
Editor(s) Martin Hunter Peck Prior Scott Gray
Dan Lebental
Production company(s) Threshold Entertainment New Line Cinema
Atomic Monster
Broken Road Productions
Distributor(s) New Line Cinema Warner Bros. Pictures

Reception

Box office performance

Film U.S. release date Box office revenue Budget Reference
United States International Worldwide
Original series
Mortal Kombat August 18, 1995 (1995-08-18) $73,000,000 $51,741,822 $122,195,920 $18 million [10]
Mortal Kombat Annihilation November 21, 1997 $35,927,406 $15,449,455 $51,376,861 $30 million [11][12]
Reboot series
Mortal Kombat April 23, 2021 $42,201,013 $41,400,000 $83,601,013 $55 million [13][14]
Total $117,957,406 $86,391,277 $204,348,683 $103 million

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore[15]
Mortal Kombat 45% (44 reviews)[16] 60 (13 reviews)[17] A–
Mortal Kombat Annihilation 4% (50 reviews)[18] 11 (12 reviews)[19] C+
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge 90% (21 reviews)[20]
Mortal Kombat 54% (292 reviews)[21] 44 (43 reviews)[22] B+
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms 50% (6 reviews)[23]

Music

Title U.S. release date Length Performed by Label
Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack August 15, 1995 68:28 Various Artists TVT
Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Score October 11, 1995 42:01 George S. Clinton Rykodisc
Mortal Kombat Annihilation: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack October 28, 1997 72:08 Various Artists TVT
Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack April 16, 2021 79:37 Benjamin Wallfisch WaterTower Music

Novelizations

A novelization of the first movie by "Martin Delrio" (James D. Macdonald and Debra Doyle) was released through Tor Books. It is based on an early version of the film's script, and as such it includes several deleted or unfilmed scenes, such as a fight between Sonya Blade and Jade.

Notes

  1. ^ Chan Kang does not appear in the video games, as he was an original character created specifically for the first live-action film.
  2. ^ Chan Kang does not appear in the video games, as he was an original character created specifically for the 2021 live action film.

References

  1. ^ Andy Chalk. "The Escapist : News : Midway Sued Over Mortal Kombat Rights". Escapistmagazine.com. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  2. ^ Dunca, Geoff. "Time Warner Buying Most of Midway Games for $33 Mln". Digital Trends. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
  3. ^ Gross, Kevin. In re: Midway Games Inc., et al., Debtors, Bankruptcy No. 09-10465; Threshold Entertainment, Inc. v. Midway Games Inc., et al., Adv. Case No. 09-51081, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. Delaware, March 29, 2011; and "Finish Him! Bankruptcy Court Dismissed Suit Over Mortal Kombat Intellectual Property Rights for Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction", Morris James, LLP, September 2, 2011
  4. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 26, 2022). "New Line Moving Forward With 'Mortal Kombat' Sequel; 'Moon Knight' Scribe Jeremy Slater Scripting". Deadline. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  5. ^ "Mortal Kombat on Video". GamePro. No. 69. IDG. April 1995. p. 24.
  6. ^ Mortal Kombat Animated Movie in the Works With Joel McHale, Jennifer Carpenter - IGN, January 17, 2020, retrieved June 12, 2020
  7. ^ a b c "Mortal Kombat (Reboot) - WGA Directory". findawriter.wgaeast.org. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  8. ^ "Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms Release Date, Box Art Revealed". GAMING. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "Interview with Jeremy Adams | Interviers S01E01". YouTube.
  10. ^ "Mortal Kombat". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  11. ^ "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)". The Numbers. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  12. ^ "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  13. ^ "Mortal Kombat (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  14. ^ Lang, Brett (April 24, 2021). "'Mortal Kombat,' 'Demon Slayer' Locked in Fierce Box Office Battle". Variety. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  15. ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "Mortal Kombat reviews". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  17. ^ "Mortal Kombat reviews". Metacritic.com. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  18. ^ "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  19. ^ "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  20. ^ "Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  21. ^ "Mortal Kombat". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  22. ^ "Mortal Kombat (2021) Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  23. ^ "Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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