Mortal Kombat sequel. How Kan you have more without it feeling Kluttered?

Earth's final chance is about to begin.

With the Koming Mortal Kombat sequel being announced to be filming in June (2023), there's an expectation from fans to have more Kharacters, more fighting and more gore.

How Kould a sequel play out? Lets explore the possible added Kharacters, possible stories and possible aftermath.

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Too many Kharacters?

The argument of "too many Kharacters" is often thrown around only because some of those Kharacters were under used, not used well or expanded on enough for one's liking, so if a Kharacter was more like an extended Kameo and never seen again throughout the rest of the movie, does that mean they'll never used or expanded on again in potential sequels? No.

Mortal Kombat is a franchise that demands sequels, so spreading out the screen time for these Kharacters and building them up without it feeling rushed and untidy, would benefit the Kharacters in the long run.

You can't put all your eggs in one basket, the saying goes.

That said, a "sub-plot" would have to be meaningful to the main story that also utilises Kharacters to being more than just glorified Kameos.

The Norm?

Since the sequel will most likely be the tournament setting from the first video game, it's safe to say that earthrealm will win, stopping Outworld's winning streak, stopping the merging of the realms and giving earth breathing room till the next "official" tournament, but how would the story get to this point? What stages will be utilised? Who will fight who? Who lives and who doesn't?

With a new movie Komes new Kharacters being introduced, the question is how well Kan they be utilised without sacrificing other elements? There's also the question of having too many Kharacters participate in the tournament itself, which Kould feel too bogged and lead to diluted fight scenes just to fit them all in. But maybe a way to get around this issue, is for a "sub-plot" outside of the tournament.

Premise.

This idea hinges on the premise that the Elder Gods are forced to impose their will by upholding the rules, punishing both Outworld and Earthrealm for killing those Khosen to participate in the tournament. Which means, the Elder Gods bring back those that were killed, while they each retain the memory of it happening.

It's the Elder Gods rules that were broken, so there has to be some consequences, right?

Sub-plot.

As the tournament is beginning, there are shenanigans outside of it.

What if the necromancer Quan Chi and tournament host Shang Tsung developed a plan to better Outworld's Khances of victory, by splitting up the earthrealm warriors via a Netherrealm invasion on earth?

Since the Netherrealm are not subject to the rules of Mortal Kombat, set by the elder Gods, the only people than Kan fight against this invasion, are the warriors that were Khosen to Kompete in the tournament because no one else believes the story of an invading realm.

As for what the deal between Quan Chi and Shang Tsung Kould be, maybe it's a mutual goal of taking out earthrealm? But we all know how selfish these two sorcerers are, so there would have to be something both Kould gain for themselves. The real question is however, who will be the quickest to backstab who?

Lore and Disorder.

From what is known and established, the likes of Liu Kang, Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage, would be at the tournament, a few more Kharacters that weren't in the original game Kould be Konsidered to beef up earth's representation and fighting Khances, so who would be fending off the Netherrealm invaders?

Leading the defenders would be the lead from the first movie, Cole Young.

Now perfecting his abilities, he would be best suited for such a task, since he knows that Liu Kang is the much better fighter with a better Khance at defeating the skilled and deadly warriors of Outworld including Shang Tsung.

New Kombatants.

With Liu Kang, Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage being the main three to fight for earth in the tournament, who else Kould join them or fight against them in Kombat?

For earth, Jerek. Jerek? Really? Well if he gained "the mark" somehow, maybe he links up with Kano (who is without the mark and snuck onto the Island to steal it's riches) as they plan to betray the earth warriors, believing it's their best Khance of survival.

Kenshi. After Shang Tsung tricked Kenshi into opening a tomb that held the souls of his ancestors, just for the flash of energy to blind Kenshi and allowing Shang to Konsume the souls, this left Kenshi to fend for himself and stumbled upon the mystical blade, Sento. All the more reason for Kenshi to hunt the one who deceived him to face him at the tournament.

Who Kould be added to Outworld's team?

Baraka. The Tarkatan leader of savage nomad, with sharp extendable bone spike from each forearm and a mouth full of shredding teeth, Baraka would be something for earthrealmers to fear even before the fight begins.

Tanya. Kould she be an unexpected participant? Maybe she Kould bring something different to the dance with a Lucha style mixed with joint manipulation, to compensate for the lack of size and power of any of her opponents.

Now for outside the tournament.

As the sub-plot shows, there needs to be new people involved to help Cole Young in defending the against the Netherrealm invaders, so who Kould join with Cole?

Fujin. Due to Raiden looking after the warriors at the tournament, who better for Raiden to intrust to look after earth while he's away, other than the God of wind?

Nightwolf. The Matoka tribe of native America sense a great danger and Nightwolf, the most powerful warrior of his tribe, feels he has the abilities to fight off any threat. He's ancestors would lead him to Cole for the Koming invasion and unleash his might upon the Netherrealm demons.

Stryker. Introduced as a SWAT team member on leave, he discovers there's an invasion Koming and must help. Early in life, he discovered his arcana without "the mark", learning his ability to focus and zoom his eyesight further, along with superb muscle memory would make him one of the best at target practice. Kould now be the perfect time to put it to the ultimate test?

Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang). The younger brother of Bi-Han who has the same cryomancer abilities, has been given news of his brother's "supposed death" at the hands of Scorpion, the name "Sub-Zero" is bestowed onto him via the Grandmasters of the Lin Kuei clan. Seeking revenge, he looks to find a way to Shang's Island to face his brother's killer, but learning of Cole's blood Konnection with Scorpion, Kuai Liang tells himself what is more important at this moment and eventually has to help defend against the Netherrealm invasion.

As for the Netherrealm invaders, most would be demons of various nature, all ordered by Quan Chi himself, but Kould be another opportunity to introduce other Kharacters.

Drahmin. A Kharacter with a lot to play around with here, but Drahmin Kould have the role somewhat of a General for Quan Chi. A rotting Oni madman with a deadly iron Klub, leading the demon armies through Shang's portal to slaughter the defending earth warriors.

Other Kharacters can be hinted at and have short Kameos as you simply Kannot fit everyone into a 2 hour movie without a lot of sacrifice, which is the job of possible sequels down the line.

Yet to explore.

There's a lot that Kould be explored; Scorpion getting his definitive victory over Sub-Zero (Bi-Han) at the tournament. Liu Kang freeing Kung Lao's soul for it to reunite with it's body. Raiden discovering "the mark" isn't needed to achieve one's arcana but an actual Kall to participate in Mortal Kombat. And much more.

Final thought.

There's nothing I'd like more than to see this new live action franchise take off and expand, which is why I enjoy putting in some effort to Kreate ideas and interesting Koncepts.

I thank you all for spending your time reading this and hope it's left you with something to think about. If there's anything you wish to discuss about this article, I'm easy to reach on twitter @ DaveSavage1982.