Mortal Kombat 2 Casting Continues With Addition Of Major Video Game Character
More cast news has surfaced in the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2, with another main character from the video game series announced to join the growing lineup. Based on popular fighting games first developed in the early 1990s, Mortal Kombat follows Earthrealm warriors as they battle in a tournament to protect the world from the dark forces of the Outworld. First adapted to the screen in 1995’s Mortal Kombat and its 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, the series was later rebooted in 2021 under the direction of Simon McQuoid, who will also direct Mortal Kombat 2 is coming.
Now, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Adeline Rudolph will be joining the cast as Princess Kitana. This latest casting news follows the revelation that Rudolph’s former co-star, Tati Gabrielle, has been cast as Jade, Kitana’s bodyguard and lifelong friend. Meanwhile, filming for Mortal Kombat 2 will soon begin in Queensland, Australia.
Will Mortal Kombat 2 Return To The Source Mythology?
More than doubling box office predictions for its opening weekend, the theatrical debut of 2021’s Mortal Kombat was not only a strong start for an industry that had been keenly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also for a movie simultaneously released on streaming. Yet despite an impressive opening weekend, the film received mixed reviews from critics and would also fall prey to complaints about changes made to the games’ lore. Foremost among these concerns was the introduction of an entirely original character, Lewis Tan’s Cole Young, and the decision not to show the actual Mortal Kombat tournament itself.
However, if a recent spate of casting announcements is any indication, Mortal Kombat 2 will likely return with a more faithful approach to the lore found in the original games. Rudolph’s Princess Kitana, who was first introduced in the 1993 game Mortal Kombat II, plays a key role in Outworld’s story as the adopted daughter of villain Shao Kahn. While 2021’s Mortal Kombat introduced, then killed, its disfigured clone Mileena, including her in the sequel alongside trusty bodyguard Jade would suggest plans to return for a remake. adapted closer to the source mythology.
Additionally, The Boys and Lord of the Rings star Karl Urban will play Johnny Cage, one of the original game’s first characters to also be dropped from the 2021 film. Amid Cage’s inclusion, Kitana and Jade, Mortal Kombat 2 seems determined to address many of the criticisms with its 2021 reboot. Only time will tell if the sequel can live up to the success of the original games, but treating the original lore with the respect it deserves will likely go a long way to appeasing audiences.