10 Things That Need To Happen In The Sequel

Summary

• Mortal Kombat 2 should feature more video game character cameos for fans.
• Dead characters from Mortal Kombat 2021 should be brought back for the sequel.
• Improved fight scenes and better CGI are necessary for Mortal Kombat 2’s success.

Mortal Kombat 2 is on the way, and here is a wishlist of 10 things that really need to happen in the sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat movie reboot. 2021’s Mortal Kombat kicked off an all-new Mortal Kombat movie series, once again adapting the beloved video game fighting franchise into live-action movie form. Mortal Kombat merely set the stage for what is possible in Mortal Kombat 2, and while some exciting news has come out, there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding the sequel. So, here are 10 things that need to happen in Mortal Kombat 2.

Mortal Kombat 2 is set to build off of the ending of 2021’s Mortal Kombat, with the first film concluding as the protagonists set off to find new champions to prepare for the inevitable titular tournament. Mortal Kombat‘s main character Cole Young specifically sets off to find the champion Johnny Cage in California, with the introduction of the beloved video game character being one of the most exciting parts of the sequel. While Mortal Kombat 2 has already set up some exciting possibilities, there are still plenty of things that need to happen to make the sequel to be successful.

10 Giving More Video Game Characters Cameos

Tons Of Characters Have Potential

The most important thing that Mortal Kombat 2 needs to do is give more video game characters cameos, a department that the first film struggled in. The Mortal Kombat franchise is full of all kinds of characters, with the roster being much bigger than what the movie series could tackle. Because of this, it would make sense to use some lesser-known Mortal Kombat characters in smaller roles, with them acting more as Easter eggs for the fans.

The new character additions to Mortal Kombat 2 are already exciting enough, with characters like Kitana, Jade, and more joining the Mortal Kombat cast. However, there are still all kinds of characters that fans would love to see in the movie series, meaning that Mortal Kombat 2 should give nods to them in the form of character cameos.

9 Bringing Back Mortal Kombat 2021’s Dead Characters

They Deserved More

While Mortal Kombat 2021 did introduce some incredibly cool characters from the video game series, many of them died, something that the sequel needs to fix. The format of Mortal Kombat means that some characters will have to die, causing many new characters to simply feel like canon fodder. Kano, Sub-Zero, Nitara, and others were all killed off in the first film, and it would be a shame if they stayed dead for good.

However, it is entirely possible that Mortal Kombat 2 could bring back these dead characters, allowing their potential to be further explored. One line in the film makes it seem as if death is simply a transition to another realm, meaning that the villains could go and rescue their fallen compatriots, bringing them back in the sequel. Since this opportunity has presented itself, Mortal Kombat 2 needs to take it.

8 Mortal Kombat 2’s Fight Scenes Need To Be Better Than The First Movie’s

The First Movie Was A Letdown

Although 2021’s Mortal Kombat was definitely an improvement on previous Mortal Kombat movies, one of the biggest weak points in the film was its fight scenes. Mortal Kombat 2021’s fight scenes felt really choppy and hard to follow, with the use of CGI and dark lighting doubling down on the issues with these moments.

For a movie series all about fighting, Mortal Kombat‘s fight scenes were not up to par, and Mortal Kombat 2 needs to see some serious improvement in this department. Compared to other movie series, the expectations for fight scenes in Mortal Kombat are higher due to the premise, with there being a lot more than gore when it comes to choreographing a good Mortal Kombat fight. Mortal Kombat 2‘s fight scenes need to be better than those of its predecessor, and hopefully the sequel is working on improving these parts of the film.

7 An Intimidating Take On Shao Kahn

They Have To Get This Villain Right

Shao Kahn is being introduced in Mortal Kombat 2, and in order for the film to succeed, it has to get this video game villain right by presenting him as intimidating. Shao Kahn is considered to be the main antagonist of the Mortal Kombat franchise, with him ruling over the Outworld and being the final boss in several of the games. Due to Shao Kahn’s importance to the franchise, it will be a huge letdown if he isn’t adapted well, which is why Mortal Kombat 2 needs to make sure that he is a terrifying antagonist.

Shao Kahn actually appeared in the notoriously failed Mortal Kombat movie sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, and this film definitely did not get him right. Mortal Kombat movie fans have already seen one failed attempt at adapting Shao Kahn, and Mortal Kombat 2 cannot let this grave mistake happen a second time.

6 Mortal Kombat 2 Needs To Balance Its Characters Better

There Are Even More To Deal With Now

The Mortal Kombat movies are known for having a lot of characters, and Mortal Kombat 2 needs to learn how to balance its characters better than the 2021 movie did. In the first movie, some video game characters received a ton of focus, while others were completely sidelined, with fans of these overlooked characters being immensely disappointed. Mortal Kombat 2 needs to figure out how to give each character the proper time to shine, balancing the roster better.

This will be even harder in Mortal Kombat 2 due to its new characters, as the film will have to balance the new roster as well as the cast of characters from Mortal Kombat 2021. This means that there are even more arcs and storylines to juggle, setting Mortal Kombat 2 up for an even greater failure than its predecessor.

5 Showing More Of Mortal Kombat’s Realms

The Realms Will Expand The World

The Mortal Kombat franchise has several realms, but the 2021 movie didn’t really delve into this, something that Mortal Kombat 2 can fix. 2021’s Mortal Kombat primarily takes place in Earthrealm and Outworld, with only hints at other realms such as the Netherrealm being given. There is a lot to explore in the world of Mortal Kombat, and Mortal Kombat 2 should take the opportunity to highlight more than these realms.

Other realms in the Mortal Kombat universe include Orderrealm, Chaosrealm, Edenia, Heaven, and more, but none of these locations were shown in the first movie. Mortal Kombat 2 can spend a lot of time showing off just how big the Mortal Kombat universe is, highlighting these exciting locations and setting them up for future sequels. Luckily, there is potential to see some of these realms in the sequel.

4 Mortal Kombat 2 Has To Have Better CGI

2021’s CGI Wasn’t The Best

Although 2021’s Mortal Kombat definitely doesn’t have the worst CGI in the franchise, with that honor going to Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, the sequel definitely needs to see some improvement in this area. Some of the CGI in the first Mortal Kombat movie wasn’t great, with it looking noticeably unrealistic in some moments. While this can be looked over due to the camp aesthetic of Mortal Kombat, it would be nice to have some more realistic effects in order to sell the world of the film even more.

One potential issue with the CGI in 2021’s Mortal Kombat is that the film was released during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is entirely possible that work was still being done on the film’s CGI when the pandemic hit, with this definitely having an effect on the production process. Luckily, Mortal Kombat 2 doesn’t have to worry about this, meaning that it should have more improved visual effects.

3 Mortal Kombat 2 Needs To Move Away From Cole Young

Another Protagonist Would Be A Better Choice

Cole Young is the protagonist of 2021’s Mortal Kombat, which is an interesting choice, as he is an original character. For a franchise full of protagonists, some saw it as an odd choice to primarily focus on a completely original Champion, as there are plenty of other preexisting characters that could fill Cole’s role. The role of Cole Young in 2021’s Mortal Kombat was one of the most criticized parts of the film by video game fans, and in order to succeed Mortal Kombat 2 needs to abandon Cole Young.

Although it will be impossible to fully get rid of Cole, keeping him as the franchise’s main character is a big mistake. Instead, Mortal Kombat 2 should focus on someone like Johnny Cage as the main character, only using Cole Young as a supporting Champion. There are several ways to handle Cole Young’s role, but keeping him as Mortal Kombat 2‘s protagonist isn’t the best one.

2 Being A Better Sequel Than Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

This Shouldn’t Be Hard

One bar that Mortal Kombat 2 has to clear is being the best live-action movie sequel, as it cannot be worse that Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is considered to be the worst movie in the franchise, with its story, characters, and unfinished CGI often being mocked by fans of the video games. This means that clearing Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is a very low bar, one that Mortal Kombat 2 has to succeed in doing.

Mortal Kombat 2 is already off on the right foot, as most of the 2021 cast is returning. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation recasted a majority of its characters, meaning that while it was a sequel, it sure didn’t feel like one. Major problems like this one are what led to the downfall of Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, and Mortal Kombat 2 needs to not fall into these traps.

1 Having An Actual Mortal Kombat Tournament

The First Movie Didn’t

To the surprise of many, 2021’s Mortal Kombat didn’t have an actual Mortal Kombat tournament, something that Mortal Kombat 2 has to fix. Instead of focusing on the titular tournament, the first film instead spent its time setting up the tournament, saving the actual events of the tournament for a future film.

It will be a massive mistake if the Mortal Kombat tournament doesn’t actually happen in Mortal Kombat 2, as saving the most important element of the franchise for the third film in the Mortal Kombat trilogy would be a disastrously awful move. However, it seems like much of the film will be dedicated to Cole and the gang traveling Earthrealm in an attempt to find new Champions, meaning that holding off on the tournament is a scary possibility. There is still a lot to tackle before the actual tournament happens, but hopefully it will fit into Mortal Kombat 2.