Edit (April 2nd): Is this a joke? You bet it is! Video game movies might play it fast and loose but we weren't fooling anybody with this hastily assembled cinematic April Fool! Fans of 1973 British horror film The Wicker Man spotted this fake from a mile-off, but did you identify all six tricks? Make your boast in the comments below, and have more fun revisiting classic MK April Fool pranks!

A follow-up to the most recent Mortal Kombat feature film was on the cards as soon as it was released, and with a franchise anniversary looming later this year, it seems the hotly anticipated sequel has already begun shooting in secret. Warning - the following post contains spoilers:

The leaked image appears to confirm the overdue arrival of Johnny Cage alongside returning heroes Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) and Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee). The dramatic desert scene also appears to confirm a return to the South Australian filming location, but it's difficult to tell if the sandy desert will double Outworld, Earthrealm, or somewhere in between.

Earthrealm's leading defenders -- made famous in the original Mortal Kombat video game and its 1995 feature adaptation -- can be seen approaching a small group surrounding a large, four-armed wooden effigy. An unidentified Shokan warrior, possibly Kintaro, stands to the left of the ritualistic structure (right on-screen), with another dark ninja-style figure drawing the attention of the heroes on the opposite side.

Prince Goro was killed by Cole Young (Lewis Tan) in one of the most controversial sequences of the 2021 franchise starter. It could be him standing inside the structure, possibly as part of a revenge or resurrection ritual.

The image sadly doesn't clarify who has been cast in the coveted role of Cage, who was shockingly relegated to a teaser at the end of the 2021 film, and became the subject of extensive fan speculation. WWE wrestler Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, action star Alain Moussi, and even Ryan Reynolds have all commented on the role, but the low resolution profile gives few clues.

Bi-Han (Joe Taslim) is expected to return as the blackened wraith Noob Saibot, but under scrutiny the ninja-like figure appears to wear a beak-like plague mask. A motif familiar to Jeremy Slater -- writer for Marvel's Moon Knight who joined MK2 earlier this year.

[Related Article: Mortal Kombat Producer on Johnny Cage & Rain Omissions]

Leaked via a since-deleted post to Reddit by "Aquilluxborg", an account created in December 2020; the image carries a similar Warner Bros production watermark to previously leaked footage from the unreleased third MK webseries.

Can you identify the mysteryman playing Johnny Cage? Share your theories in the comments below and tell us what you'd like to see in the Mortal Kombat movie sequel. Find and discuss more stories in the Media & Merchandise forum.