A sequel to the animated feature Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge has officially been confirmed! The widely rumored movie brings back much of the cast for the next installment which will be called Battle of the Realms -- but will also pack in plenty of new characters you might not see coming! Read on for more:

The Hollywood Reporter announced the official reveal of the title and cast, with a projected home video release for late Summer this year. It is presently unclear when the animated feature will be available to stream via HBO Max.

The cast list brings back many of the usual suspects from the first film, and their respective voice actors, but the announcement of Battle of the Realms also brings plenty of additional juicy references that will get hardcore fans theorizing about the film's plot.

Among the new additions will be: Bayardo De Murguia as Sub-Zero/Kuai Liang, Matt Yang King as Kung Lao, Grey Griffin as Mileena, Emily O'Brien as Jade, Debra Wilson as D'Vorah, Matthew Mercer as Stryker and Smoke, and Paul Nakauchi as the Lin Kuei Grandmaster. Adding to their previous credits will also be: David B. Mitchell as Kintaro and Sektor, Robin Atkin Downes as Reiko, Artt Butler as Cyrax, and Ike Amandi as One Being.

That last one is bound to catch the attention of fans of Mortal Kombat: Deception and might suggest a more cosmic scope to the action beyond the expected adaptation of the video game sequel: Mortal Kombat II. In the past, "One Being" hasn't had a voice -- an existential threat of the totality of all things, rather than a specific entity.

The film will also bring back big bads Shao Kahn (Fred Tatasciore) and Shinnok (Atkin Downes) from their previous cameo roles. That might suggest this cast of characters has been assembled for a consolidation of MKII and MK3 plot details similar to the 2011 video game reboot, but we can only speculate at this early stage.

What do you think is coming next for Mortal Kombat Legends? Share your theories and speculation in the comments below and join us in the Media & Merchandise forum to follow & discuss more movie news!

Mortal Kombat has made a business out of incorporating pop culture guest characters into its playable roster, but what about the other way around? MK has crossed over with a select few franchises in the past, and the director of Tekken 7 has revealed who he'd choose to enter the iron fist if the opportunity presented itself! Read on for more:

Katsuhiro Harada has been with the Tekken series in various roles since the very beginning, becoming the Ed Boon of the franchise as its creative lead and public face. As Director of Tekken 7 he oversaw the incorporation of guest fighters from Street Fighter, King of Fighters, Final Fantasy XV, and The Walking Dead. Asked by a fan on Twitter which Mortal Kombat guest he'd choose he went straight for two of the series' evergreen icons: Sub-Zero and Raiden!

Sub-Zero or Raiden.

By the way, I’m in charge of the commentary interview in the theater pamphlet of the movie version MK. For some reason Warner Bros. Japan chose me as a movie promotion ambassador. https://t.co/5tXBwkOaiF

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) June 12, 2021

NetherRealm Studios chose Sub-Zero and Raiden to be crossover guests in their DC Comics fighting game: Injustice 2. The pair also entered Midway Games sister projects NBA Jam: Tournament Edition and The Grid as unlockable characters, while Raiden additionally flew into Midway's NFL Blitz and Unreal Championship 2!

Outfitted with instantly recognizable designs and special moves, they represent the franchise well and would offer Tekken something compatible, but a little bit different. Harada got to know the characters a little bit better recently as Warner Bros Japan's ambassador for the promotion of the Mortal Kombat movie -- a fact Harada also noted in his tweet.

Will such a crossover ever happen? NetherRealm has looked to the movies for most of its guest characters, but God of War's Kratos was included as a PlayStation exclusive in 2011's Mortal Kombat reboot. Ed Boon has noted in the past that he's been a fan of the Tekken franchise, and with both series investing in crossover characters, it doesn't seem impossible.

In the past a full-fleged crossover with the Street Fighter franchise was considered inevitable, but a MK11 guest character proposal was rejected by Capcom. The developer has also had near misses including characters from Twisted Metal and Gears of War.

Which Tekken characters would you like to see in Mortal Kombat? Share your thoughts about crossover potential in the comments and speculate wildly in the Future Mortal Kombat forum! Or enter the Fan Koliseum to discuss fantasy match-ups and vote for the 2021 Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion!

If you've been tuned to Mortal Kombat Online on Twitch or YouTube you know the weekend is all about heavy metal and Mortal Kombat 11! For the last ten weeks Survival Saturdays has separated PlayStation wannabes from worthy warriors in uncompromising, unrelenting King of the Hill competition. Now Season 7 reaches its grand climax with four chosen kombatants facing off in an electric endurance eliminator: Ultimate Survivor II!

The Ultimate Survivor action kicks off later today streaming live to Twitch at 5:00PM PDT. The featured format will pit opponents against one another in a First to 10 King of the Hill enduro heat, with the two winners advancing to a First to 5 final showdown to prove who reigns supreme as the Ultimate Survivor for Season 7!

In preparation for the event MK Online talked to two of the kombatants who'll compete in each of the opening matches. VENOMCARNAGE777 returns from the inaugural special to settle unfinished business, while the man of few words Bowzersbuddy steps into the Ultimate Survivor fire for the first time. We talked tactics, conditions, and what to expect from the contest.

VENOMCARNAGE777, you participated in the first Ultimate Survivor superfight. What was that experience like?
VENOMCARNAGE777: It was incredible. It was an honor and a surprise to be one of the two players invited, and it’s no different this time around. Seeing how much work Survived puts into these things behind the scenes is a real treat.

Bowzersbuddy, you were one of the first combatants considered for Ultimate Survivor II. Do you feel adequately prepared for the challenge ahead?
Bowzersbuddy: Being one of the first considered is an honor for sure. That means I have been getting people's attention and hopefully come Saturday I can show that I belong here and I'm not going anywhere.

Can you give readers insight into how the Ultimate Survivor format differs from standard competition? Does it change your approach?
B: Survivor format is definitely an up hill battle for the winner of each match. Having to keep your health from the last fight can definitely make it tougher to keep the wins.

V: The Ultimate Survivor format certainly differs quite heavily from any other “standard” competition or tournament. For one, all moves are legal. Things that are usually banned in tournament like Robocop’s Trick Shot and Rain’s Wave Dash are completely fair game. And this time around, it’s more of a miniature invitational tournament rather than a single First to 10. Not to mention this all takes place in a Survivor lobby, which adds a unique element to the whole thing. It encourages the players to land those Fatal Blows, Fatality their opponents, or if they’re really feeling confident, to disrespect with the Mercy to gain back any extra health they can.

It flexes a different type of muscle that I don’t very often have to use in Mortal Kombat. Self preservation. The fact that it all takes place in a survivor lobby changes my approach a decent amount. I try to play a bit safer because every little bit of health counts. Usually I play faster and looser, doing whatever it takes if I think it means getting the win, even if I only have one HP left on the board. I can’t do that here. I have to play a little bit more reserved. That adds to the pressure as well.

VENOMCARNAGE777, you suffered a hard fought 7-10 defeat against Red Eyez IV XX. Do you feel you have something to prove coming into this weekend's event?
V: My goals for entering the tournament is to above all else put on a good show, but I want that title. I wanna be the Ultimate Survivor. I have much love for Red Eyez, but if I win this thing, I definitely want a rematch.

This time your path to Ultimate Survivor victory will require defeating TWO opponents. Will this change your approach to the weekend at all?
B: No, I love to fight so the number of opponents means nothing to me. Special preparations include the lab...

V: Not really. I’ll take it one fight at a time. If I don’t do well one game, I shake it off and reevaluate what I can do next that my opponent wouldn’t expect. I make sure I’m in the right mindset. The competition mindset. That this is the real deal and that I got this. Make sure that I know all my options with all the characters that I play. I warm up a little bit, but not too much that I’m spent before it begins. I make sure my hands are dry, my controller is ready to go, and then it’s game on.

VENOMCARNAGE777, your first opponent this weekend is Fight Klub's #1 ranked fighter: Jaceri. Does that concern you at all?
V: Concern me? Not really, but I know who I’m up against. We’ve fought before. It’ll be an uphill battle, but one I’m looking forward to. I wouldn’t be fighting if I didn’t have confidence I could win. He’s a good fighter for sure, that much is evident, but he can be defeated. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I know how he plays, who he plays, and his overall play style. This isn’t our first face off, but it will be our first fight in a truly competitive setting.

I’ve researched my opponent as much as I believe I reasonably need to. The Fight Klub system has helped show me what I’m up against, and with the detailed match analysis, it shows you the timeline of every single Flawless Block, Wakeup Delay, Krushing Blow, you name it, so I’ve been able to take a look at how he approaches different situations and what patterns he can fall into.

Bowzersbuddy, your first opponent has been #1 on the Survival Saturday's leaderboard for 7 consecutive weeks: TimezInfinityx. Does that concern you at all?
B: Well timez is number 1 on the leader boards for a reason. My impressions of the little bit I've seen of timez is... very mix heavy and doesn't let up on the pressure. So I hope I can keep my defence on point.

TimezInfinityx's go-to character is Skarlet. Are you ready for what that character brings?
B: Fought plenty of Skarlets, so I know what to expect, but just depends on who's using her. Tactics? Of course, but we will see.

How about you, VENOMCARNAGE777? Jaceri's go-to characters are Jade and Kung Lao. Are you prepared?
V: For the most part. His Jade is very very solid. To this day I am still workshopping how to break through his impeccable defense with Jade, but I have a few ideas. As for his Kung Lao, he likes to be in the air. What Lao player doesn’t? The key is to deny him that airspace, not let him in close, and to keep him at bay. If he gets corner control with Lao. It’s a tough and grueling fight to get out of it. If need be I’m ready to break out some characters that he might not be expecting.

The way he plays Jade is both incredibly defensive and offensive almost at the same time. It’s very easy to overextend against him. It’s on me to find the right balance between blocking and taking the punches, and when to push up and put the pressure on him. His Kung Lao is scary up close. That’s where my job is to keep him out of my face and under no circumstances give him corner control.

Bowsersbuddy, right now you're ranked #5 in Fight Klub. Jaceri is one of the opponents you could face in the final battle. Is that on your mind?
B: Jaceri is definitely a threat, but so am I. First rule of Fight Klub is we dont talk about Fight Klub. Venom is another threat and I believe it could easily be him I face if i take the first set

Ultimate Survivor will allow the use of banned moves. What do you think about this? Will you be looking to exploit this or play it straight?
V: I think it’s very “on brand” for SurvivedKombatants. He’s very much a guy who throws restrictions to the wayside. He just wants a good show, and if he believes that allowing tournament banned moves are going to add to the hype, he’ll do it. And I agree. It’s perfect for an event like Ultimate Survivor. I’ve experimented a little bit with the banned moves like Robocop’s Trick Shot, but I don’t think it has a place in my kit this time around. I’m confident in the way I play him normally that I won’t deviate much from my usual course. Overall, I don’t think I’ll be utilizing any of the normally banned moves, but I’m interested to see if anyone will put them to use.

What will make you the Ultimate Survivor? Can you give us a little preview of what to expect?
B: What will make me the ultimate survivor? My determination to be number 1 so I guess we will see. Preview? [puts finger over lips]

V: My determination. I want to walk away being the Ultimate Survivor. The last one on top. I’m gonna do my damndest to make it happen. Against Jaceri, my main man Noob Saibot has struggled against him in the past, but my Robocop has had some better luck. If he’s on Kung Lao I’ll probably go with Robocop to keep him out of my face and zone as best I can. If he plays Jade and my Noob isn’t working, I may have to break out an old tried and true character. A big body character that would let me have a little bit more time.

Do you have a message for your opponents?
B: Don't give me the chance to punish you, 'cause you'll regret it. [laughing]

V: Simply: Your SOUL.... is mine.

Stream time begins 5:00PM PDT (8:00PM EDT) on the MKO Twitch channel with MK Online Stream Team Survived_Kombatants & FatalKade on commentary. There'll also be a trailer and details for Survival Saturdays Season 8 with new MK Online Killer Kuts music by Redvard Dolański and contributions from TQT1995! Don't miss it!

For over six years the dedicated team over at Uppercut Editions has tirelessly poured resources into one of the most ambitious fan projects to date. Their Mortal Kombat Encyclopedia Project has showcased what true passion and dedication can entail. The Mortal Kombat franchise has seen many different kinds of memorabilia and licenses throughout its many decades of existence, but one item that has always been missing was a centralized resource encompassing all of the lore and story behind the beloved franchise. The idea of having a coffee table type book detailing every single game, character, and unique facts throughout Mortal Kombat’s history has been a dream for almost every collector.

Other franchises in the video game industry have run with similar books and resources so it has been a shame that something like this hasn’t come along before. What makes this project so unique and special in its own right, really comes down to the team’s determination to make this book a reality. Though various concept books were made available online or offline, they never were able to secure or convince WB Games to back the project in any sort of official capacity.

Taking matters into their own hands they scouted various publishers throughout the last several years and eventually landed with Hagen's Alley, which is already known for successfully backing and publishing other unofficial Nintendo branded video game related books.

At the time of this writing Uppercut had an ambitious Kickstarter goal of $15,000, which was met and exceeded within the hour of its go live date earlier today! We highly encourage fans to jump on this now before it closes, to not lose this opportunity to get their hands on this labor of love from the community. Different tiers are still available, however some of the most exciting options including an impressive Cyrax statue had sold out within minutes of the launch.

Uppercut Editions expects to ship out the Kombat Kompendium to backers in January 2022.

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks has become a viral sensation all thanks to a Twitter poll posted by Ed Boon! The NetherRealm Studios Creative Director asked fans which game they'd like to see remastered and the overwhelming response pushed the game's sub-title into trending topics in the United States! Read on for details:

The 2005 action-adventure spin-off sparked the biggest response from fans who enthusiastically remember its unique adaptation of the klassic Mortal Kombat II storyline & gameplay. At the time of this writing it has an overwhelming 46.9% of the vote -- well over 64,300 of a total 137,261 registered responses!

The original MKII fared the least well of four options with only 10.9% of the vote, while second place went to yet another updated adaptation of the arcade original's plot and mechanics: the 2011 reboot. Coming in a respectable third with 14.1% was Mortal Kombat: Deception -- a game with more to gain from a modern remaster.

Remaster …. ?

— Ed Boon (@noobde) June 3, 2021

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was the third and most successful example of the franchise expanding into genres other than straight fighting games. Although met with mixed reactions initially, appreciation for its three-dimensional environments and gameplay has grown over the years. Players controlled Liu Kang and Kung Lao through a series of stages inspired by klassic arenas, upgrading elaborate new versions of klassic attacks and even unlocking a host of other playable characters!

No one has done more to keep the flame of the cult title alive more than Ed Boon himself! When Gameinformer asked him about an HD remake in 2019 he responded with an enthusiastic "I wish!". The series co-creator also revealed a screenshot of the original Raiden pitch in 2017. NetherRealm has almost exclusively worked in the fighting game style since, expanding between installments into the DC Injustice franchise.

There have been attempts to revive the iconic arcade klassics with an HD remake, but these have all met dead ends. Photography from new sprite digitization has leaked, as well as interface & concept art from the aborted title. Despite all this, "Mortal Kombat Kollection Online" was unexpectedly rated by PEGI last year.

[Related Article: Feature: The Saga of Mortal Kombat HD]

Which modern remaster would you most like to see -- or would you prefer something new? Share your thoughts in the comments below and dig deeper into retro in the 3D Kombat Klassics and 2D Kombat Klassics forums! You can also get your vote on in the current User Poll as we seek the best character of the here & now in the 2021 Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion tournament!