Australia will once again host the next round of theatrical battle as the tentatively titled Mortal Kombat 2 movie sequel confirms relocation to the state of Queensland. The announcement was made by New Line Cinema, Warner Bros Pictures, and Screen Queensland over the weekend.

Fans have been waiting for a theatrical return for Mortal Kombat pretty much since Annihilation disappointed 21 years ago. Producer James Wan brought new hope when he joined the project in 2015, but there've been few significant updates since 2016 reports a director was attached.

Fans may've been hoping the announcement of a Mortal Kombat 11 video game sequel might move things along, but it seems unlikely. The Aquaman director commented on the status of the MK movie during a junket for Warner Brother's latest superhero blockbuster, telling Heroic Hollywood that budget, and a drive to "do the film right", will take time.

Fandom reacted strongly to recent widespread rumors about the Mortal Kombat movie reboot, and its reported cast of characters. The outcry has drawn an equally strong response from those close to the project, with producer James Wan, and NetherRealm Creative Head Ed Boon, shooting down various reports.

More than a year after reports Furious 7 director James Wan would step in to produce: The Mortal Kombat movie may have found its director!

Variety reports Australian director Simon McQuoid is in talks to make his international feature film debut with the long anticipated video game adaptation.

The acclaimed advertising director is best known for commercial work, producing ads for: PlayStation, Xbox, HP, Beats by Dre, Samsung, Logitech, Nissan and Duracell [embedded below], along with other high profile brands. Much of McQuoid's work features effects work and slick production - skills perfectly suited to bringing the world of Mortal Kombat to life!

Press day at the Television Critics Association has given us the first word on the Mortal Kombat movie reboot from high profile producer James Wan!

Speaking to IGN, the Furious 7 and upcoming Aquaman director emphasized his appreciation for the original games and movies, citing the need to "do it right" as the reason production will continue to 'cook away' and take its time.

The path back to cinemas has been long and hard for the once lucrative Mortal Kombat. A theatrical return has long been discussed, but struggles to exit development hell have waned amidst experimental webseries, and changes in culture.

The movie may have received its best backing to date, with The Tracking Board reporting Saw and Insidious director James Wan will join the film as Producer.

Wan is in hot demand of late, working his way from low budget horror to the pinnacle of Hollywood action blockbusters with this year's Furious 7. He's already attached to direct Warner Brother's 2018 superhero franchise builder: Aquaman, with Jason Momoa in the title role. Past Producer credits include the first five Saw sequels.

The Tracking Board cites Oren Uziel (MK: Legacy) and Dave Callaham (Doom) as script writers. The plot remains tangentially related to the fiction of the hugely successful video game series, centering around a "seemingly harmless guy" who discovers his hidden powers, and uses them to enter the tournament. The film has reportedly been described by the studio as "a departure from the mythology" featuring "darker, brutally real martial arts."

Deviations from the games fit previous plot reports, and the work seen in live-action webseries Mortal Kombat: Legacy. Web director Kevin Tancharoen was previously involved in taking his vision to the big screen, but exited the project in October, 2013 [full story].

Mortal Kombat is underway with New Line Cinema and Broken Road Productions (Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Knight and Day). This month marks the 20th anniversary of the first New Line distributed Mortal Kombat movie.