The future of the Mortal Kombat film franchise remains in flux, with director Simon McQuoid offering insights into the unresolved fates of key characters like Liu Kang and the potential for a third installment. While a Mortal Kombat 3 movie was previously announced as greenlit by New Line and Warner Bros., the box office performance of Mortal Kombat 2 has cast doubt on its prospects.
Mortal Kombat 2 concluded with several lingering plot threads, leaving audiences with questions about character survival and narrative direction. Director Simon McQuoid addressed these points in a recent interview, particularly regarding the confrontation between Liu Kang and a zombified Kung Lao. This scene, set in a stylized Blue Portal reminiscent of classic game locations, was designed to highlight the complex relationship between the two characters.
"Liu Kang and Kung Lao had this really special relationship," McQuoid stated. "I don't want to keep banging on about the Blue Portal [scene], but that was so important, because it was about their relationship. That led us to a place where Liu Kang needed to have an, I'll say, 'exit' because it matched the nobility, spirituality, dignity and the positive power of Liu Kang. Ludi did an amazing job of really landing that."
Despite defeating Kung Lao, Liu Kang suffers a mortal wound from Shao Kahn, ultimately transforming into a column of flame and disappearing. This ambiguous exit was intentional, according to McQuoid, aiming to leave narrative doors open for future storytelling rather than providing definitive closure.
"The way he was going to die — or exit —you know, it's a really, really important character. So we knew we had to do something that was more unique and special," McQuoid explained. "We wanted a certain amount of freshness with what happened [to characters] each time, so you were always like, OK, we don't know what's gonna happen next. The goal there is to be able to sort of set up the next chapter in their relationship and, and have you, have the audience feeling like, Oh, that feels unique and interesting, rather than, Well, they both died, and we don't know what's gonna happen."
The financial performance of Mortal Kombat 2, which grossed $129 million against an $80 million budget, has made a sequel less certain. While the 2021 reboot also faced challenges, its significant streaming success on HBO Max could still influence the decision for a third film. McQuoid acknowledged that discussions about Mortal Kombat 3 are ongoing but are still in their early stages.
"It was really about making sure that there were doors left open, rather than closed," McQuoid said regarding the film's ending. "It's kind of what we did in the first [Mortal Kombat], like, don't get overconfident. [laugh] The audience tells you if there [should be] another one. Don't get cocky about it and do what's right for the characters. That's always been the goal all along: Do whatever's right for the truth of the characters."
When asked about the current status of conversations for Mortal Kombat 3, McQuoid remained cautious. "I don't know whether I'm ready to divulge that one," he stated. "As I think about it, it's like, wow, that's a minefield. It's almost like Mortal Kombat 2 hasn't had its full life cycle yet. So I think let it have its full life cycle and then, um, ask me in a few months. [laughs]" Mortal Kombat 2 is currently available for digital rental and purchase, with physical media releases planned for July 28. A streaming release date on HBO Max has not yet been announced.