MORTAL KOMBAT II Screenwriter Confirms The Film's "Been Done For A While"

Filming for Mortal Kombat II wrapped some time ago, and with the sequel’s release just four months away, fans are starting to wonder: when will footage be released?

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By MarkJulian - Jun 09, 2025 10:06 AM EST

Filed Under: Mortal Kombat

Source: GameFragger.com

The countdown has begun! Mortal Kombat II, the sequel to the brutal 2021 reboot, has officially wrapped filming and is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025. Promising even more intense, bone-crunching action, the film aims to raise the bar for fans of the legendary franchise.

But despite production having wrapped back in January 2024, promotional content has been strangely absent. No posters, teasers, or trailers have surfaced, leaving fans anxious for a first look. The only official promo released to date has been a few first look stills via Entertainment Weekly, back in March.

In a recent interview with ComicBook, screenwriter Jeremy Slater addressed the radio silence. He explained that Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema are carefully timing the film’s marketing rollout, evaluating their 2025 release slate to determine the ideal moment to launch the campaign for Mortal Kombat II.

“I’m so excited for people to see the movie,” Slater told the site. “It’s been done for a while. We’ve been waiting for the right release date and waiting for the right window. I have been to those test screenings, which are full of Mortal Kombat fans, and watching them react to it the way I reacted to Avengers: Endgame. They were cheering and jumping out of their seats. Every joke is landing and they are loving it. It’s one of the greatest moments of my life. That’s why you get into this business.”

If Mortal Kombat II sticks to its October 24, 2025 release date, it will enter a competitive fall box office window. It’s slated to open just weeks after Tron: Ares (October 10) and The Black Phone 2 (October 17), and ahead of both Predator: Badlands and The Running Man reboot, which debut on November 7.

While these films offer some competition, Mortal Kombat II won’t be contending with any major superhero blockbusters or massive auteur-driven releases—no Marvel behemoths or Christopher Nolan epics are currently scheduled to siphon off ticket sales. That leaves the door open for a strong domestic run if the marketing and fan response hit the mark.

Story-wise, cast and crew have previously promised that the sequel wastes no time diving into the heart of the action. After surviving Shang Tsung’s pre-tournament ambush in the first film, Cole Young (Lewis Tan) and the defenders of Earthrealm now face the true challenge: the Mortal Kombat tournament itself. With nine losses already on the record, one more defeat would hand victory to Shao Kahn, the tyrannical Emperor of Outworld, and spell the end of humanity’s freedom. The fight for Earth’s survival has officially begun, and this time, there’s no room for error..

For those of you who might have missed it. Here is a first look at the Mortal Kombat 2 movie!

Includes shots of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) Kitana, Shao Kahn and Scorpion! https://t.co/RenOSjHNg0 pic.twitter.com/4uoTdxQfdE
— Ed Boon (@noobde) March 17, 2025

The sequel’s expanding roster will see several legendary characters from the games brought to life on the big screen including Karl Urban (The Boys) as he takes on the highly anticipated role of Johnny Cage, the cocky martial arts movie star turned Earthrealm warrior.

Additionally, Martyn Ford will also debut as the fearsome Shao Kahn, Tati Gabrielle as the deadly assassin Jade, and Adeline Rudolph as fan-favorite princess Kitana.

Rounding out the cast, Ana Thu Nguyen will appear as the powerful Queen Sindel, Damon Herriman steps in as the dark sorcerer Quan Chi, and Desmond Chiam portrays King Jerrod, adding even more depth to the franchise’s mythos.

Returning cast members include Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Mehcad Brooks as Jax Briggs, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion.

MORTAL KOMBAT 1 Video Game Skins Reveal Detailed Look At Costumes For MORTAL KOMBAT 2's Four Leads

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40 Comments

SonOfAGif - 6/9/2025, 10:48 AM

Scorpion & Sub Zero needed better costume designs. They look way too bulky to be the skilled and acrobatic combatants they are known for

dragon316 - 6/9/2025, 1:23 PM

@SonOfAGif - more time in movie didn’t do enough fighting scorpion maybe subzero hard to say

HashTagSwagg - 6/9/2025, 10:51 AM

If those leaks from last year were true, Mortal Kombat fans are gonna be reacting in the same manor Marvel fans reacted to this scene.

TheFinestSmack - 6/9/2025, 10:56 AM

@HashTagSwagg - What were the leaks? I probably missed those.

HashTagSwagg - 6/9/2025, 11:10 AM

@TheFinestSmack - If true, be warned, potential Spoilers ahead!

TheFinestSmack - 6/9/2025, 11:48 AM

@HashTagSwagg - So the movie will focus on Fem-talities then...

HashTagSwagg - 6/9/2025, 12:05 PM

@TheFinestSmack - Further potential spoilers ahead:
It's Kitana and Johnny's movie, but Kitana is indeed the chosen one (usurps his role) and because it's sapposidly a tournmeant this time and going by the games pre established lore (something could happen during the film that would make this null and void) but Kitana winning means she gets earth realm. Regardless if she's fighting for the heroes when she wins, it's the same reason why Bo' Rai Cho couldn't enter the tournameant, he was born Outworld therefore his victories count as outworld's victories.
Scorpions is in it less than he was in the last film, Noob is just there for one fight scene at the end, Shang is barely in it, Raiden does jack shit again, Kahn is apperently done well and is an imposing threat, same for Sindel and Kitana.
Something happens to Cole which will delight the Cole Young haterz who thankfully are just the vocal minority.
There was also another rumour (this one isn't tied to the original leaks so I'm not sure if it's even close to real), it would certainly piss off a lot of Scorpion fans though and the small handful of Cole Young haterz.

TheFinestSmack - 6/9/2025, 12:14 PM

@HashTagSwagg - I should rewatch the first movie because I only saw it once and barely remember it. I do remember not hating Cole, but it was weird to have a whole new character in there when they have such a good catalog of established characters to work with. Sounds like the second movie will fail at juggling too many characters.

THEKENDOMAN - 6/9/2025, 10:53 AM

So why the [frick] is it taken so long for us to see a [frick]ing teaser.

Not some [frick]ing photos

Yes, I must admit I'm pumped like most [frick]ing people.

But [frick]ing hell, give us something to [frick]ing watch.

Even if its Johnny Cage taking a [frick]ing piss.

For [frick]s Sake

BlackBolt84 - 6/9/2025, 10:56 AM

"They were cheering and jumping out of their seats."

Did this happen during the infamous "Torr Jockey!" scene? Bro, at least make up something believable.

IAmAHoot - 6/9/2025, 10:57 AM

Seemed kind of obvious. Just not lucrative enough on its own merit. And I don't know theaters will bring in enough bank to justify a theatrical release; though it will naturally cut back on shared streaming views so I do get the idea. It'll be a bloody enjoyable time but I just wish it would be a more literally vibrantly colorful movie. The first had such a dull color palette.

Irregular - 6/9/2025, 10:58 AM

It's going to get pushed to January or February.

So far from the pics it does look better than the last one, but I got a feeling it might be bad.

bobevanz - 6/9/2025, 11:00 AM

I don't expect much from this. Play the classic song, have a few good fights with some fatalities. Nothing can be worse than MK: Annihilation

BritishMonkey - 6/9/2025, 11:07 AM

I just hope Lewis Tan isn't in it this time.

HashTagSwagg - 6/9/2025, 11:19 AM

@BritishMonkey - Cole Young, the man who defeated Eddie Tobias, inventor of the uppercut, will return.

THEKENDOMAN - 6/9/2025, 12:31 PM

@BritishMonkey - unfortunately, he is.

I wish he [frick]ng died in the first one.

Didnt [frick]ing understand his [frick]ing relevance nor the [frick]ing reason they added his [frick]ing character into the [frick]ing movie.

BritishMonkey - 6/9/2025, 6:00 PM

@THEKENDOMAN - Yeah, I really can't stand him. I find Tan very arrogant and egotistical and he's not that special. And then the character serves no purpose at all other than for some weird fanfic insertion. Cut him out completely and focus on the actual MK characters and it'd be great.

THEKENDOMAN - 6/10/2025, 2:26 AM

@BritishMonkey - I couldn’t had [frick]ing said it better 👊🏿

CorndogBurglar - 6/9/2025, 11:09 AM

The first one had so many dumb decisions. I really didnt have a problem with the plot, actors, or fighting.

But the whole dragon birthmark thing was really stupid. And of course the decision to make an original character the main focus of the movie. And then to give him literal plot armor as his power.

Just so dumb. Hopefully they can make some changes, because the first one was not great.

Ryguy88 - 6/9/2025, 11:14 AM

@CorndogBurglar - what they did to Goro was ridiculous too.

CorndogBurglar - 6/9/2025, 12:21 PM

@Ryguy88 - Yeah it was. One of the worst parts!

Arthorious - 6/9/2025, 2:05 PM

@CorndogBurglar - lol that plot armor scene had me rolling. Literal plot armor! Screw this movie!

UnderBelly - 6/9/2025, 11:12 AM

The first one has its moments but was pretty flawed in my opinion, especially through creating a brand new character for the purpose of introducing us/him into that world. Tan is just unlikeable as a lead, but I also think there's tons of character they could have used instead without sacrificing the story. I hope they off him in the first 5 as they did with JC in Annihilation.

Kano was the mvp and they screwed up lui Kang, I hope they get it right this time.

MahN166A - 6/9/2025, 11:16 AM

If I don't see Lewis Tan's character (Cole) get merked in the first 10 mins, I'm out.
Shit, I would pay for a ticket and concessions JUST TO SEE THAT.

Either way, I am gonna go into this with extremely low expectations. The fact that the previous movie killed off Prince Goro (who had no significantly deserved backstory emphasized in the film) by a goofy made up character with an amateur background in MMA and was able to use LITERAL Plot Armor to kill the Shokan Prince. Doesn't necessarily make me feel like this one is going to work well either.

Lmao. "Arcana...."

LMFAO! Shut the [frick] up. xD

TheVisionary25 - 6/9/2025, 11:20 AM

Hopefully what he’s saying about the movie apparently landing is true since I found the first one to be mildly enjoyable at best tbh.

Anyway , hoping for the best!!.

Fingers crossed the fight scenes are stronger for the most part In this.

cadunovaes01 - 6/9/2025, 12:06 PM

I enjoyed the first film. Looking forward for this one (SCORPION and SubZero was the MVP in MK1)

TheVisionary25 - 6/9/2025, 12:11 PM

@cadunovaes01 - they were definitely cool

However I think Kano was the MVP for me.

cadunovaes01 - 6/12/2025, 3:49 PM

@TheVisionary25 - Kano was really fun in this movie!

DarthAlgar - 6/9/2025, 12:18 PM

This August will mark 30 years since the original film. That was a true theatrical experience from the moment that theme song echoed across the theater.

The 2021 reboot was underwhelming, so I have little excitement for this one right now.

Matchesz - 6/9/2025, 12:23 PM

[frick] just be a good film im tired of all the disappointing duds. Everyone hated Cole he better tf die in a fatality in the opening titles. They cant be that dense not to do it

JabbaTheSus - 6/9/2025, 12:33 PM

I'm really surprised we haven't seen a trailer for this yet. You would think the smart move, would have been to put it in front of the new Final Destination, or even just put a green band trailer in front of Superman. I'm of the general consensus, first had some awesome moments, but overall like a 6/10 or so. Hoping this one will be much better.

Timerider - 6/9/2025, 1:01 PM

@JabbaTheSus - they had a budget and spent it already, we’ll get one trailer and a poster, that’s it.

JabbaTheSus - 6/9/2025, 4:48 PM

@Timerider - Yea, but those are both WB movies. They wouldn't cost anything, or very greatly reduced at least, to put a trailer for their movie, in front of one of their movies lol. Final Destination IMO would have been perfect to put it in front of.

Forthas - 6/9/2025, 2:31 PM

I am not in the business of giving Warner Brothers advice but they could actually kill two birds with one stone with this franchise. Given the lack of publicity so far it does not seem like WB is proud of this film. The thing to do is to hire Zack Snyder to direct (not write) and oversee the Mortal Kombat franchise. This would 1) help bring peace to his alienated fans who would likely focus more attention on this franchise, 2) it would be right up his alley in terms of morbid ultra violent filmmaking, and 3) Snyder would likely make it look good which the first film did accomplish but only in spurts!

BlackStar25 - 6/9/2025, 10:16 PM

Can they confirm an actual Tornament takes place in this one...

jackbauer884 - 6/10/2025, 6:05 AM

They should finally release the trailer.

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MORTAL KOMBAT II Screenwriter Confirms The Film's "Been Done For A While"

Filming for Mortal Kombat II wrapped some time ago, and with the sequel’s release just four months away, fans are starting to wonder: when will footage be released?

MORTAL KOMBAT 1 Video Game Skins Reveal Detailed Look At Costumes For MORTAL KOMBAT 2's Four Leads

MORTAL KOMBAT 2 Stills Reveal First Look At Shao Kahn, Kitana, And More; Sequel's Plot Finally Revealed

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.