The new movie, Mortal Kombat II, is building on the success of the first film in many ways, especially with its characters. While new faces like Kitana, Johnny Cage, and Quan Chi are joining the fight, some previously deceased characters are surprisingly returning. Jeremy Slater, the writer of Mortal Kombat II, recently spoke with ComicBook about these unexpected resurrections and how the movie is approaching the topic of bringing characters back to life.
Footage and posters have already shown that Kano and Kung Lao will return for the sequel, which is unexpected since they both died in the first movie. Director Simon McQuoid explained that bringing characters back from the dead is part of what makes Mortal Kombat enjoyable. He specifically fought to have Kano return because he loved Josh Lawson’s performance in the first film, believing Lawson perfectly captured the right tone for the series. McQuoid also wanted to bring back Kung Lao, wanting to feature his iconic hat in a fight scene, because he finds the character incredibly cool and fun.
Mortal Kombat II Brings Back Dead Characters, But Not How You Expect
Slater didn’t want to simply ignore or undo the deaths of those characters in the next movie. He aimed for a surprising and meaningful return that would affect the plot. This approach seems likely to continue with Mortal Kombat III, as Lewis Tan hinted at multiple character deaths being considered for the sequel.
Slater explained that his role involves finding ways to bring back deceased characters, potentially in unexpected ways. He wants to use these returns as opportunities to create compelling new storylines and adventures for those characters.
Slater explained they’re exploring how to turn the potential drawbacks of bringing people back to life – resurrections – into a positive element within the story. While it’s possible to revive characters, it’s rarely straightforward, and there are often unforeseen consequences.
The main aim is to create real stakes. We have so many characters available, and fans have their favorites, so we need to find the right balance. We want it to feel impactful when a character is eliminated – the audience should be genuinely upset. However, because this series has been bringing characters back from the dead for over three decades, we always include a way to potentially undo those losses.
We’ve already seen the effects of these events with Kung Lao. A recent clip showing his fight with Liu Kang reveals that Kung Lao has been corrupted – he’s under some kind of influence, appearing with black eyes and a completely changed personality. This deeply affects Liu Kang, who clearly recognizes his old friend during the battle.
Kano’s cybernetic enhancements in the games make his return from death a natural fit, and actor Josh Lawson has hinted at a revamped version of the character in the sequel (according to The Direct). However, like Kung Lao, the events of the previous movie will continue to affect Kano and shape his story.
Mortal Kombat II hits theaters on May 8, 2026.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Read More
- Marvel Officially Confirms Deadpool’s Most Brutal Redesign
- Invincible Creators Offer Promising Update on Season 5 Release Date
- The Boys Season 5, Episode 5 Ending Explained: Why Homelander Does THAT
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Gets a New Release After Season 2 Finale
- 10 Movies That Were Banned in Different Countries For Random Reasons
- See King Charles & Queen Camilla’s Royal Looks for State Dinner
- Gemma Arterton spy thriller Secret Service based on hit novel gets release date confirmed on ITV
- Gold Rate Forecast
- ‘You Can Play Your Purchased Games As Usual’: Sony Breaks Silence on PS5, PS4 Game Expiry DRM
- After 11 Years, Black Clover Officially Ends With Final Release (& Crowns a New Wizard King)
2026-05-04 03:13