Ludi Lin Breaks Down Liu Kang’s Fighting Style in Mortal Kombat II

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In today’s episode of ScreenRant’s ‘Going Method,’ Ludi Lin, known for his role as Liu Kang in ‘Mortal Kombat II,’ shows host Ash Crossan how to perform his character’s iconic Dragon Fatality. The new movie, a sequel to the 2021 hit film directed by Simon McQuoid, includes even more beloved characters from the Mortal Kombat video game series. Returning from the first movie are several key heroes, including Liu Kang, a powerful Shaolin Monk and one of Earthrealm’s strongest defenders.

Lin recently worked with Going Method to show how the incredible spinning kicks and stunts from Mortal Kombat II were created. The training session, available below, breaks down Liu Kang’s fighting moves step-by-step, revealing the thinking behind his techniques and how he gained his fire abilities.

During a martial arts session with actor’s dog Pax, Lin discussed how the new Mortal Kombat II compares to the first movie. He also talked about what he loves most about playing Liu Kang and shared a funny story about his audition for Power Rangers.

Getting To The Heart Of Liu Kang’s Power Moves In Mortal Kombat II

The creators of Mortal Kombat II openly acknowledged that they listened to what fans wanted when making the sequel, as their goal was to stay true to the popular video games. Lin highlighted this when explaining the key differences between the two films.

I’ve definitely noticed we’ve gone much bigger with this film – the cast is larger, the action is more ambitious, and everything feels more expansive than the first movie. We really focused on developing the characters and storylines to create a Mortal Kombat world that fans will recognize and enjoy.

The second movie puts more emphasis on the fight scenes, which are central to the original games. Lin explained that a lot of effort went into bringing the unique fighting style – previously seen in animation – to life with live actors.

I really want to acknowledge our fight choreographers, Malay Kim and Mike Lehr. They did a ton of research into the character’s movements, his fighting style, and what would fit the game’s world. They even thought deeply about the more conceptual aspects – things like the source of his power and inner energy.

I’ve recently learned that all of Liu Kang’s movements are based on a circular motion. Think of him holding an invisible sphere – any fire he creates originates from that point. It’s like he’s playing with a ball while summoning flames. Liu Kang’s fighting style is heavily influenced by Hung Gar, a southern style of Shaolin Kung Fu. He initiates his fire attacks by bringing his cheek up and thrusting forward – that’s where the spark comes from, and then he unleashes the Chi.

Lin finished the training by showing everyone the fundamentals of Liu Kang’s martial arts style, and then demonstrated his signature move.

I especially love it when he performs the Dragon Fatality. First, he ignites his flames. Then, he shapes the fire into a ball, like a fiery sphere. He swings it around and summons two dragons – one above and one below. The dragons meet and circle each other. Finally, he compresses the fire and then unleashes it.

Just add a touch of dramatic flair! Do the fireball move, bringing it around in a sweeping arc like Double Dragon. Then, get close to the camera, focus intently, and deliver the line, “I am Liu Kang, the last son of the dragon, and I will see you burn!” Really clench your jaw and look fierce, trusting the special effects team to bring it all to life.

Power Rangers (2017) Lives On In Ludi Lin’s Heart

I’ll always remember Jason David Lin as Zack Taylor, the Black Ranger from the 2017 Power Rangers movie! He was so sweet when the host told him how much they loved it. He said something really touching – that you don’t appreciate something until it’s gone. Apparently, a lot of us are hoping for a sequel, but he confirmed it’s just not going to happen, even though he clearly still loves the movie and holds it close to his heart, and that made me a little sad but I totally get it.

He had a particularly funny and memorable audition for Power Rangers – it was full of silly moments that could have been a great story by themselves.

I’ve noticed a pattern with auditions – I usually face some kind of challenge right before I actually book the job. I definitely remember the Power Rangers audition. I was filming ‘Marco Polo’ in Indonesia when I took a quick trip to Singapore to visit a friend. While at a coffee shop, my agent called with a really tight deadline. She said they’d been searching everywhere for someone for the role and needed an audition tape within three hours. I asked what it was for, and she told me it was Power Rangers.

I was suddenly hit with a wave of childhood memories – playing with my Power Rangers toys, and it made me determined to nail this audition. My friend drove me to a studio in Singapore, hoping they had the necessary equipment. But all they had was a small broom closet! We managed to find a single light and filmed the audition right there. To my surprise, I got a call from the director two weeks later offering me the part.

Check out our previous Going Method interview with Matthew Lillard for Scream 7.

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2026-05-08 20:01