‘Mortal Kombat III’ Confirmed: Cast and Director Talk Sequel and Release Delays at NYCC

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A new Mortal Kombat movie is in the works! The announcement was made at New York Comic Con on Saturday, with screenwriter Jeremy Slater confirming that New Line and Warner Bros. are moving forward with the project. Fans are encouraged to see the upcoming *Mortal Kombat II* in theaters next summer to help make the third film happen.

Slater encouraged the enthusiastic audience, saying he wants to continue making these films if people enjoy them.

Slater appeared with director Simon McQuoid and stars Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Tati Gabrielle, and Martyn Ford to talk about the upcoming sequel, including why it was delayed and what viewers can look forward to.

Regarding the film’s release date being pushed from October to May 16, 2026, McQuoid stated the delay was due to the film’s growing popularity. He explained that each screening generated more excitement, creating the potential for a huge summer hit, and while the wait will be longer, the release will be much bigger as a result.

The presentation began with a sneak peek at the movie, highlighting its epic scope, brutal fight scenes, and impressive wins. Director McQuoid explained that the sequel will center around the characters of Johnny Cage (played by Urban) and Kitana (played by Rudolph), and will further develop the story and the world of Mortal Kombat.

“We felt that we just scratched the surface. There is so much to Mortal Kombat, to the lore, so much to work with that I thought we could just expand everything onto an even greater scale,” he said. “It was about pushing the boundaries with everything… much higher highs and lower lows. I wanted us to journey through all of the realms and different places, levels and environments.”

New behind-the-scenes look at #MortalKombatII – Coming to theaters May 15, 2026.

— Fandango (@Fandango) October 11, 2025

Slater mentioned that it was tricky to find the right balance between exciting action, a compelling story, and developing the characters. He joked that having so many important characters – around 20 – was a ‘good problem to have,’ but meant they couldn’t make the movie excessively long. Director McQuoid reassured fans that the new film won’t lack action, and will actually feature about twice as many fight scenes as the original.

The tournament served as the framework for the story, forcing all the characters and their individual arcs to intersect within it. The creators aimed for a large-scale, visually engaging experience that still maintained the diverse and dynamic feel Mortal Kombat is known for.

The director announced the film will be available in IMAX, featuring unique scenes specifically created for the format. He explained, “We really wanted to give Mortal Kombat fans a reason to see it in IMAX – there are special moments and details you won’t find anywhere else, and they even add to the story.”

According to Urban, Johnny Cage begins the story at a difficult point in his life. He’s lost his motivation, his career has stalled, and he hasn’t been training. Essentially, he’s a defeated and forgotten man.

According to Urban, Cage steps up and becomes a hero for Earthrealm throughout the movie. Slater explained that beginning the character in a vulnerable position allowed for significant development. He noted, “The Johnny Cage from the game doesn’t really have a character arc – he’s already at his peak. It was great to start him from a low point and show his journey to becoming the iconic Johnny Cage fans adore.”

As a huge fan, I’m thrilled to hear Mortal Kombat III is moving forward! It sounds like they’re really going to build on everything that made the previous films great – more intense action, deeper emotional connections, and a richer storyline. I can’t wait to see where they take the franchise next; it feels like there’s so much potential!

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2025-10-12 12:44