I would just like to point out that Scorpion was dead prior to the first game and yet still made it in. This argument (for leaving certain characters dead) has always been rubbish in my opinion.

Returning in MK 9
Rain (4th fav ninja)
Nightwolf
Johnny Cage
Cyrax
Noob Saibot

Dead:
Blaze (u served ur purpose now go die)
Waste characters (who the hell are they any way)
Shang Tsung (he's an asshole)
Quan Chi (ass hole part 2)
Baraka (getting sick of him)

Modes:
1. Ability to play old MK games (unlocked in Krypt): Like playing the older MK games Like MK 1, 2, 3 UMK3, MKT and maybe 4
2. Tag Mode
3. MK:A style Konquest but u can pick character
4. Kreate A fighter
5. Chess Kombat

New Ideas
Kreate a Tounament
Each Stage has a Death Trap
Choose a weapon
Martix Style Kombat
Pick your own music

Make MK9 Great
NO ASS-LOAD OF CHARACTERS!
Good gameplay
Bloody fatalities
No animalities
Amazing graphics