A potential third film in the recent Mortal Kombat movie series is not off the table, according to director Simon McQuoid, though his immediate focus is on a project far removed from the violent fighting game universe. McQuoid indicated to The Wrap that while he is open to the idea of a Mortal Kombat 3, he is currently preoccupied with developing other narrative ideas.
"I think it's still going through its life cycle. So I don’t know yet. I'm not sure," McQuoid stated. "I feel like there are other stories that I want to tell that aren't necessarily in Mortal Kombat, and I have multiple things in development, one of which we're just casting now, and that's not Mortal Kombat at all--something that is in the real world and very much a deep dive into a singular character and character study. I'm excited about it. But I never want to close doors. I'm just always trying to open doors."
The 2021 Mortal Kombat film, directed by McQuoid, garnered $84 million globally. Its 2026 follow-up, Mortal Kombat 2, achieved $129 million worldwide. Hollywood productions typically aim to earn at least double their production budget, and with Mortal Kombat 2 reportedly costing $80 million, it fell short of this benchmark. The sequel also experienced a significant delay, having been initially slated for release on October 24, 2025.
Should a third installment be greenlit and McQuoid return, he has expressed interest in exploring different facets of the Mortal Kombat universe. "That’s both overwhelming and really exciting," he commented earlier this year. "There’s always a, ‘What about that character?’ It never really stops."
While Mortal Kombat 3 remains uncertain, audiences can anticipate another live-action video game adaptation with the upcoming Street Fighter film, scheduled for release on October 16. A recent teaser featuring Jason Momoa as Blanka suggests a potentially dynamic interpretation of the franchise.