1995's big-budget adaptation of Mortal Kombat premiered to mixed reviews, but did well enough to generate a sequel. Hopes are even higher for this new take on the concept, with director Simon McQuoid bringing something a little more grounded – or at least as grounded as you can get in a tale with supernaturally powered warriors battling it out. The new trailer, which features a lot of blood and swearing, is online.
The film finds MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan), accustomed to taking a beating for money, unaware of his heritage—or why Outworld's Emperor Shang Tsung (Chin Han) has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family's safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) at the direction of Jax (Mehcad Brooks), a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Kung Lao (Max Huang) and rogue mercenary Kano (Josh Lawson), as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana – the immense power from within his soul — in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?
Mortal Kombat is scheduled to land on 16 April, but we'll see if it plays in cinemas or goes to a mix of big screen and VOD, as with the also-on-HBO Max release in the US.