Mike Lowery
The trailers section gets a level up today with a bad-ass first look at New Line’s “Mortal Kombat” redo.
The game-to-flick, which will play theaters (and in the states, air day-and-date on HBO Max) in April, is a gritty, balls-to-the-wall take on the property – which was twice transferred previously to the big screen in the ’90s (Christopher Lambert as Rayden, yo!) to mixed results.
Horror wizard James Wan produced this one, Tyro feature-maker Simon McQuoid directs it, and, by the looks of things, “Superstore” alum Josh Lawson (playing hulkish Kano) steals it.
The new film doesn’t look as fantastical as the previous movies – and short-lived live-action series – with McQuoid seemingly keen to ground as much of the yarn in reality. Lets see how that pans out.. surely, there’s a spine throw in here somewhere!?
Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin and Joe Taslim are among the cast of the film, which shot in Australia pre-pandemic.
The initial plan, for years, was to do a second sequel to Paul W.S Anderson’s ’90s film – reuniting most of the cast, including Robin Shou and the aforesaid Highlander – but the ingredients didn’t thicken.
“Mortal Kombat” hits and stings April 15.
Game over for any other studios releasing trailers for the next 24 hours.
