Mortal Kombat first came to us in 1992 when Midway Games opened the universe that held the characters of Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Scorpion, Sub Zero and many others, in the two dimensional fighter game. Quickly breaking barriers in the gaming world with such end scenes as “FATALITY” where our previously family consoles were displaying severed heads, spine removal and lots of dripping blood.
Three years later the world wide selling game came to the big screen in a well received movie staring Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Robin Shou, Christopher Lambert and many others. The story is simple in structure where three martial artists are summoned to a tournament, and their outcome will lock the fate of the world. There was a good mix of choreography, elements of the game, as well as chance to seek a bit more depth into your favourite characters.
Since the original, the series has made a few attempts at resetting and capturing the original lightning in the bottle, but failed time and time again. The most recent movement was a very well received web series staring Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine: Star Trek Voyager). Kevin Tancharoen created and directed Mortal Kombat: Rebirth (written by Oren Uziel) as a pitch of his vision for a renewed Mortal Kombat franchise. This went on to become Mortal Kombat: Legacy, a nine episode web series viewable for free on Youtube. Due to the following fan support, and with all the pieces of the puzzle falling into place, New Line Studios (part of Warner Bros. Entertainment) is picking up the rights to the film.
Not a lot of information is out there about this project, but it has been said that although they are bringing on both Kevin and Oren of Rebirth/Legacy, apparently this new movie will have no following of the game, or their previous web series. This has all the elements of a fantastic film: fans who are creating, studio with money, a chance to do a new story, and over a year to put it together. Already something to look forward to in 2013.
^GG
