Filmmakers Say Epic Storytelling is Key to ‘Mortal Kombat’ Live-Action Reboot

When you first think of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, what comes to mind? Gory death scenes? Sure! Intense fighting and graphics? But of course! “FATALITY!”? Bruuuuuh! Well what about the franchise’s captivating storylines? Producers James Wan (Aquaman), Todd Gardner (13 Going on 30), and director Simon McQuiod are putting storytelling on equal footing with visuals with their upcoming live-action reboot of Mortal Kombat, starring Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Mehcad Brooks, and Sisi Stringer. Judging by our interview and the first 13 minutes of the film, it’s clear Mortal Kombat is poised to do exactly that when it premieres on April 16 in theaters and on HBO Max. A Complex Mythology Mortal Kombat has one of the richest mythologies of any game-rooted media property. While the core of the story centers around an inter-dimensional fighting tournament where warriors from different worlds battle for their realm’s survival, it’s the individual character arcs that ground the mythos. The hero’s journey of Liu Kang, Shao Kahn’s brutal takeover of Edenia, and the deadly “sibling” rivalry of princesses Kitana and Mileena are just some of the foundational plotlines of the MK universe. With each new iteration in the franchise, new characters and deeper world building enrich a tale that spans entire worlds, dimensions, and even time itself. Sisi Stringer as “Mileena” Story is Key That rich storytelling was barely a footnote when Mortal Kombat’s violent gameplay became a cultural f…