I disagree with some on those list, as I feel that they sort of step on each other's toes. I think a lot of them should be "this character OR this character," but I think you have the general qualifiers right.

Well, if what we have to go on turns out to be true, than it's probably safe to assume these characters so far:

Sub Zero
Scorpion
Sonya
Kitana

Now, if I'm Ed Boon, or if I'm sitting behind the desk at Warner Brothers, I'm hoping that this game can make as much money as possible in its first time out with its' new publisher so I'm keeping alot of the most well known or percieved "fan favorite" characters in the series. To me, those include:

Rayden
Jax
Baraka
Kung Lao
Kano
Liu Kang
Johnny Cage
Reptile
Noob

So yeah, basically the casts of MK1 and MK2 without Mileena, Shang Tsung, Jade, Shao Khan and the sub bosses, even though I could easily see any of these characters or even Goro return.

Still, I could also see some of the newer favorites returning as well:

Quan Chi
Kenshi


Personally, of all these characters, the only one's I'd really want to see returning are Scorpion, Sub Zero, Rayden and maybe Kung Lao. I could also see some surprise characters like Fujin return, but if I'm putting together the All Star team of MK, these are the characters I'm using.

I still think that there will be about 6 to 8 new characters, because that's traditionally what MK has always had from game to game. Maybe we won't see that anymore now that the MK team has a new publisher, but who knows.

Either way, those numbers would all make sense. I've named 15 All Stars. You add 7 new characters to that, it starts to sound a lot like a complete MK roster.

Practically guaranteed:

1. Subzero
2. Scorpion
3. Kitana
4. Sonya
5. Quan Chi

Very Likely:
6. Raiden
7. Johnny Cage
8. Reptile
9. Noob
10. Ermac
11. Jax
12. Kung Lao

50/50
13. Kenshi
14. Bo Rai Cho
15. Li Mei
16. Mileena

And probably:
17. New
18. New
19. New
20. New

I think:
Kung Lao
Reptile
Cage
Mileena

Most likely in, just because they are probably the most popular characters that did not make MKvsDC. And we know how the MK team likes to rotate their character casts.

Dude...no offense or anything, but you shouldn't be posting here. You should be posting new kick-ass MK fanart! Cant wait to see your artwork on MK9 when the time comes.

Well you know I just started gettin hyped, new game means new artwork. :)

I'd say those that were guaranteed will be:
Raiden
Scorpion
Sub-Zero
Sonya
Kitana
After them, I think the most likeliest will be a number of the following:
Liu Kang
Johnny Cage
Reptile
Mileena
Baraka
Kung Lao
Jax
Then there are those I think will be back due either their importance or popularity, irrespective of their stories and what has happened to them:
Quan Chi
Shang Tsung
Shao Kahn
Kano
Jade
Goro
Ermac
I think it's going to be primarily MK1 and MK2 characters with Quan Chi in as the most important character beyond those two games.
At a pinch, we may also see:
Kenshi
Nitara
Sareena
Ashrah
Havik
One of (or maybe more) Cyrax, Sektor and Smoke.
Some of the above I don't want to see back. They would be Jax, Kenshi, Goro, Kano and Cyrax. The rest I'd welcome back with some major story adjustments.

I'd add Kira, Drahmin and Jade to the list.

I see you've got Cyrax AND Sektor. Part of me feels like that's a bit redundant, but on the other hand, the game makers are limited in time and work, rather than on character number. If anything, they want as many characters as possible. Presumably it's easier to share a few moves across some character variants than to make all completely unique characters.

My spider-sense agrees with the general consensus of this thread.

The execs at Warner are probably encouraging the MK team to approach this game as a "soft relaunch"....e.g. we'll see a lot of familiar sacred cows prettied up with new designs, graphics, and simplified stories that don't stray from the status quo.
Essentially, a less ambitious Deadly Alliance with more old characters and simpler story.

So in addition to the obvious Scorpion & Sub-Zero and the leaked Kitana & Sonya.....I'd expect a roster that also includes Raiden, maybe Liu Kang, probably Johnny Cage, Jax, Shang Tsung, Mileena, Kung Lao, Reptile, maybe Baraka, Noob Saibot, Shao Kahn (playable if not the boss), Sektor or Cyrax, maybe Ermac, maybe Quan Chi, and possibly one or two of the better received post-MK4 characters.
And finally a couple of brand new characters.




So, yeah.......when's Super Street Fighter IV coming out again..?

Confirmed:
1) Sub-Zero
2) Scorpion
3) Sonya (The Nina Williams of MK.)
4) Kitana (Yes, my third favorite has been confirmed.)

Most likely to return due to the fact that they are originally popular, their importance in the storyline and the fact that they haven't been used as often:
1) Johnny Cage
2) Liu Kang
3) Kung Lao
4) Shang Tsung
5) Mileena (My second favorite.)
6) Baraka
7) Ermac
8) Raiden
9) Jax
10) Reptile
11) Nitara (I like her but she needs improvements.)
12) Cyrax
13) Reiko
14) Rain
15) Kabal
16) Motaro (Hopefully with 4 legs.)
17) Shinnok
18) Stryker
19) Sektor
20) Sareena

These characters would most likely be requested by A LOT of fans, which would make these kombatants be in the game due to so many fans.
1) JADE (I'd definitely request her because she's my most favorite character yet.)
2) Li Mei (I like her too.)
3) Kenshi
4) Goro
5) Shao Khan
6) Kano
7) Khameleon (She can play an important role in Reptile's story.)
8) Smoke (I've read that a lot of fans would want him back as human again.)

Then there are these characters who might have a slight chance of making it just because they are interesting and have some kind of uniqueness in them.
1) Sindel (Screams and uses hair as a weapon.)
2) Kintaro (The only tiger-like Shokan)
3) Tanya (The traitor of Edenia with interesting powers.)
4) Ashrah (A demon who looks like an elegant woman.)

The rest are new characters.

"The execs at Warner are probably encouraging the MK team to approach this game as a "soft relaunch"....e.g. we'll see a lot of familiar sacred cows prettied up with new designs, graphics, and simplified stories that don't stray from the status quo.
Essentially, a less ambitious Deadly Alliance with more old characters and simpler story."


Yeah dude, that I was trying to say



Also I agree for Ermac, I add him to my list

This is essentially what I agree with. Of the post-MK4 characters, I think Kenshi has got the absolute best chance of making it in. He's the one who seems to get the most praise. My heart would love to see Li Mei return, but I could very easily see it being Nitara, due to the popularity of vampires. Or perhaps we'll just get a new male vampire? I dunno, but I feel you are very much correct.

Ok, let's see who we have:

Johnny Cage
Kano
Liu Kang
Raiden
Sub Zero
Scorpion
Shang Tsung
Goro
Reptile
Baraka
Mileena
Jax
Kitana
Kung Lao
Kintaro
Jade
Smoke
Shao Kahn
Noob Saibot
Kabal
Stryker
Chameleon
Sheeva
Sindel
Cyrax
Sektor
Ermac
Motaro
Nightwolf
Rain
Fujin
Quan Chi
Jarek
Kai
Tanya
Shinnok
Sareena
Meat
Reiko
Blaze
Bo Rai Cho
Li Mei
Mavado
Hsu Hao
Nitara
Frost
Mokap
Drahmin
Kenshi
Moloch
Ashrah
Kira
Kobra
Dairou
Darrius
Havik
Hotaru
Onaga
Shujinko
Daegon
Taven

Ok, Mokap is pointless right now, so sayonara to that. Blaze's story is also done. I don't see Meat going anywhere except being a medium-rare steak on my plate. Liu Kang should remain dead and gone. Move on, move on.

Sub Zero and Scorpion are going to stay. They are never going to go away. I think I heard Kitana and Sonya confirmed, right? I'll keep them in cause that's what I believe I heard. I think Ashrah and Nitara needs to stay in this. Nitara's bio brought a great story into Mortal Kombat, and I'd hate to see that wasted since it wasn't brought up in Armageddon.

Sub-Zero
Scorpion
Kitana
Sonya
Ashrah
Nitara

I think we need a Black Dragon vs. Red Dragon feud in this, so at least one-two each. For Red Dragon, we have Mavado, Hsu Hao, and Daegon. I think Daegon is done for now(same with his bro, now that Armageddon is done), go back to the background. That leaves the two introduced in MK:DA. Hsu Hao's story went nowhere, so I think Mavado should stay. But get rid of his hookswords. He can't be alone, I think a new Red Dragon character should be introduced. As for Black Dragon, we have Kano, Kabal, Kobra, Jarek, and Kira (Black Dragon members sure like people with K in their names, no?) I don't see Kobra and Jarek going anywhere, so put them off until later. Kano and Kabal need to take leader role, so that leaves Kira as the only Black Dragon non-leader left. She stays. Sonya is going after both of these clans at the same time, I think. But she's going to need help. Right now she is with Jax, Cyrax, and Kenshi. Jax should leave. Let this stereotype go. I think Cyrax and Kenshi should both stay. Also, have Sektor and his Tekunin come back as well for Sonya and Cyrax to fight.

Sub-Zero
Scorpion
Kitana
Sonya
Ashrah
Nitara
Mavado
New Red Dragon Member
Kano/Kabal (can't decide)
Kira
Cyrax
Kenshi
Sektor

I never really like the Order/Chaos storyline, so all involved should go. I thought they were unnecessary. The bosses should not be in here either. They are done.

Now, with Kitana back, she's going to need a storyline with other characters. The ones involved so far and are still left are Mileena, Jade, and Sindel. Sindel should sit back and take her throne for now. She shouldn't be involved with something. Mileena, well, I don't want her to have a "Must Kill Kitana!" storyline, but I want her to come back. Jade should come back, and Tanya with her. Jade needs something to do, right?


Sub-Zero
Scorpion
Kitana
Sonya
Ashrah
Nitara
Mavado
New Red Dragon Member
Kano/Kabal (can't decide)
Kira
Cyrax
Kenshi
Sektor
Mileena
Jade
Tanya

Let's see, whose left?

Johnny Cage
Raiden
Shang Tsung
Reptile
Baraka
Kung Lao
Smoke
Noob Saibot
Stryker
Chameleon
Sheeva
Ermac
Nightwolf
Rain
Fujin
Quan Chi
Kai
Shinnok
Sareena
Reiko
Bo Rai Cho
Li Mei
Frost
Drahmin
Moloch
Shujinko

One of the sorcerers should stay between Shinnok, Quan CHi, and Shang Tsung. I am going to say Quan Chi. He can get his amulet back from Onaga, and use it for some reason. Shang Tsung had his time, and Shinnok, well, I can't see him doing something.

Between the gods Raiden and Fujin, I....I think they can both stay. Fujin needs to snap Raiden out of it.

Sub-Zero
Scorpion
Kitana
Sonya
Ashrah
Nitara
Mavado
New Red Dragon Member
Kano/Kabal (can't decide)
Kira
Cyrax
Kenshi
Sektor
Mileena
Jade
Tanya
QUan Chi
Raiden
Fujin
New Character
New Character
New Character
New Character
New Character

For some reason, I can't either see the rest of the cast either coming back (Sheeva, Frost, Kai) or I can see them coming back, but not right now. Maybe later (Noob, Smoke, Li Mei)

That's my list for now. I might change my opinion later.

I would expect Kenshi. I think the MK team is very proud of how he came out and he was well received by the fan-base.

I have a feeling Li Mei might make it. Kind of got the impression, judging from her development through Deadly Alliance & Deception, the MK team might have some ambitions for her.

I suspect Havik has a decent shot. From what I've been able to tell, he was the best received of the Deception newcomers. Good look and a flexible story. They'll probably make very little reference to the Seido/Chaos Realm stuff and just Havik flying solo, causing trouble.

Maybe Sareena. There was a lot of anticipation for her going into Armageddon and she has strong ties to other characters I think we can count on. She was all fairly well received in her semi-debut.
I'll admit, that might just be wishful thinking on my part.

That's pretty much it. Like I said, I honestly don't expect any more than two, MAYBE three, from the recent cast. Any more than that and I'll be very surprised.

Sareena's ties to Sub-Zero & Noob Saibot could potentially backfire against her....which is something I've shown concern about in the past.

As much as I'd rather Sub-Zero & Noob have as little to do with one another as possible, I suspect they'll go head-long into a feud between them. Sareena'd certainly benefit from a high profile storyline and her being stuck in the middle with a strong internal conflict does make her a character to watch.

However, I really hope it doesn't simply leed to her being anchored as a supporting character for Sub-Zero. Her personal story is strong enough to branch out and be her own individual sub-plot.

Basically, I'm just hoping she won't get trapped in Sub-Zero's shadow or worse, get tossed into a refrigerator.

Ugh, I'm still so messy at quoting.

I can't really see Sub-Zero and Noob Saibot being kept too separate. As long as it doesn't become Sub-Zero goal to "save" his brother, I am cool with it. Sub-Zero is hopefully savvy enough to realise that his brother is "dead" in every sense of the word, and only feel responsibility to destroy Noob Saibot because he is a threat to Earthrealm. The ultimate goal of this story, in my opinion, should be to show the differences between Sub-Zero as perhaps the closest thing the series has to a human protagonist, and his flawed older brother -- who was all potential -- and show how Sub-Zero strives no longer to make him proud, but to be better than he ever was.

Sareena being killed just to further their rivalry is pretty stupid, in my opinion, and I hope the MK Team does not go that route. The focus in her story should be on herself, and how they represent two sides of her nature -- Noob Saibot represents the easy choices, and giving into her animalistic nature; and Sub-Zero can represent her ascension as a human-like entity. If any character tries to "save" Noob Saibot, I think it should be her, because she herself is a demonic being that clawed her way up. They could even put conflict between her and Sub-Zero though this.

One thing I do not want to see is a Sub-Zero/Sareena romance. That would be weird, awkward, and just overall cliched to me. I would not mind it if Sub-Zero and Sareena came to respect each other, and Sareena perhaps became the student that redeems Sub-Zero's self-evaluation as a teacher. But I think mutual respect is as far as it should go between the two characters.

It'd work best for Sareena if she weren't attached to any other character's hip. I don't see a problem with her being involved in a story of someone else's, but they should be trying to market her character, and make her stand out. She should have her own take on situations, and form her own opinions. One thing that has stopped me from getting into the character, is that it seems there are helpless elements to her character. I imagine Sub-Zero always slinging in to save her...wait, that's Spider-Man with Gwen Stacy, sorry...or her stumbling out of the Netherrealm and not knowing where she is. But things would be different if she came out of hell, and basically knew the deal with everything, and was more capable of kicking ass than I've been ready to give her credit for.

I hope the list will not be like the ones posted here, too many old characters IMO. But knowing MK, this will probaly be true.

The characters i would like to see would be..

1.Kung Lao
2.Scorpion
3.Sub Zero
4. One of the cyborg ninjas ( Sektor, Cyrax, Smoke)
5. Kenshi
6. Noob Saibot
7. Sonya
8. Jade
9. Nightwolf
10. Shao Kahn


This list consist of fighters that i would like to see not return

1. Hsu Hao
2. Li Mei
3. Havik
4. Kitana
5. Baraka
6. Kira
7. Kobra
8. Onaga
9. Drahmin
10. Moloch
11. Liu Kang (I think its time the torch to be passed down to Kung Lao or Sub Zero)

This list of fighters i would not mind coming back

1. Quan Chi
2. Shang Tsung
3. Kano
4. Reptile
5. Johhny Cage
6. Mavado
7. Mileena
8. Kabal
9. Ermac
10. Kai

Nope, 7-8 new is a lot.booN anf MK team are not good at making new characters and there are proofs of that - all the games after UMK 3.

I never said the characters I listed were the ones I wanted back. Matter of fact, I would rather more than half of them dead and never spoken of again.

But we have to think realistically. This next game is going to be very important for Warner Bros. They need to justify whatever amount of money they spent buying the franchise and they're most likely going to do that by encouraging the MK team to play it safe by bringing back a dozen....*cough*...."fan favorites."
Because the average MK fan will only respond to a character that's over fifteen years old.

Case in point:

This! My own list wans't all I'd like to seebac and they haven't done the best job with all of the newer characters after UMK3. And it does make sense for the classic characters to appear. Warner Bros. will want to start their ownership of the series with a bang. What better way to do that than start off with a game full of the classic favourites of the series.

Of course speaking realistically, we'll be seeing a lot of returning characters, majority of the ones that I prefer that shouldn't return but has a feeling that they will.

And, I wasn't technically speaking about everyone's list, because let's be honest, I think you have a great sense of knowledge when it comes to this game, but just looking at majority of the lists that everyone has posted, there's barely any change to it. You know what I mean? And some of them may have just posted those characters to return because 99% of that list are the characters that are their favorites and intends on seeing them return within the next game or so.