Over the years, the Mortal Kombat franchise has seen a variety of adaptations that are separate from the video games. Whether it’s the campy 90s live-action movies or the various animated films, Mortal Kombat has expanded beyond its original video game origins. Mortal Kombat hasn’t exactly been the easiest game franchise to adapt to live-action, but the recent attempt from Warner Bros. has been one of the most promising yet.
Mortal Kombat (2021) was a decent start for a live-action movie series based around the games. It wasn’t a perfect film by any means, but there was definitely the potential for the first entry to be a diamond in the rough. Despite mixed reviews, Mortal Kombat (2021) officially got a sequel ordered by Warner Bros., and it’s set to premiere in the fall. There have already been test screenings for Mortal Kombat 2, and early reception has been quite positive, so far. Even more intriguing, leaks suggest one character who many fans were not particularly fond of seems to be getting the axe early on in the story: newcomer Cole Young.
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If Leaks Are to Be Believed, Cole Young May Not Be Long for This World in Mortal Kombat 2
Cole Young Has Been a Controversial Figure
Introduced in Mortal Kombat (2021) as a fresh-faced Earth-bound protagonist, Cole ultimately failed to resonate with a lot of viewers. Warner Bros. has released a handful of promotional materials for Mortal Kombat 2, and many have been quick to notice that Cole Young has been missing from these sneak peeks. Considering he’s the main protagonist of the first movie, it’s strange for him to be left out of early marketing, even if he is divisive. However, according to a Reddit user who claims to have been present at a past screening, Cole meets his end surprisingly quick.
Mortal Kombat 2 hits theaters on October 24.
Mortal Kombat 2 Might Be Saying Bye to Cole Young
An unnamed Reddit user was noted saying, “Let’s just say, the character everyone hated doesn’t survive the first 20 minutes.” Their post was screenshotted by No-Exam-6948 and posted to an official subreddit dedicated to Mortal Kombat leaks. Of course, considering this is simply someone on the internet making a bold claim, these words should be taken with a grain of salt. However, between this leak and Cole’s absence from Mortal Kombat 2‘s early images, his ending is definitely not off the table.
Such a risky move could pay off for Mortal Kombat 2. Not only would this kind of shocking decision make those who disliked Cole happy, it would also be incredibly on-brand for the franchise. If there’s anything Mortal Kombat is known for, it’s unexpected and hilariously over-the-top deaths, and putting Cole in that situation could prove to be a wild way to respond to fan feedback.
Johnny Cage will finally be featured in Mortal Kombat 2. The fan-favorite character will be played by The Boys‘ Karl Urban.
Even if Cole Dies, He May Not Be Gone Forever
It has already been confirmed that Mortal Kombat 2 will bring back two dead characters, so it’s possible for Cole to meet a similar fate. Cole may have failed to stick the landing in the first movie, but being killed off to be brought back from the dead down the road could be the best way to rework the character, so he can be more well-rounded.
Only time will tell, of course, but as of now, Cole’s fate is still mysterious. The Mortal Kombat franchise continues to be one of the most well-known fighting games in pop culture, and if the second movie is able to right the wrongs of the first, it could prove to be a solid adaptation.
Mortal Kombat 1
8/10
- Released
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September 19, 2023
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Publisher(s)
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Warner Brothers Games
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 4