I'd cut Kung Lao, and Jax if he's in, and make them fightable NPCs like Sindel likely will be. Not sure who I'd replace them with, though, there's too many to choose from.

Couldn't we just keep them all and expand the roster

It's hard to really narrow it down when you love to see all of them.

Must haves that are not in or confirmed for me:
1.Noob Saibot
2.Smoke
3.Fujin
4.Cyrax
5.Sektor
7.Baraka
8.Kabal
9.Jade
10.Rain

Extra- Tremor (just to see what they could do with him)

Kano, Jax, and Sonya for sure.

I wouldn't cut anyone, I'd just delay the game so Noob, Sareena, Smoke, Ashrah and Sektor could make it in since they fit the narrative.

I feel like the Neathrrealm War was glossed over as an excuse to bring back Sub-Zero, Kitana, Jax and Kung Lao but not much more. It's a shame since there's definitely a story there that I feel like NRS could explore in a spin-off game.

In fact, I'd probably Ask NRS to bring back the Fire and Ice game that allegedly played like Shaolin Monks but with Sub-Zero and Scorpion. I'd build it around Scorpion and Sub-Zero as newly freed from Shinnok's control and seeking to free additional souls to reform the Lin Kuei with Smoke and Sareena and dethrone Sektor while Scorpion reforms the Shirai Ryu.

Cut

Sonya, Johnny, Jax, Liu Kang, Kano, Goro

Replace

Li Mei, Havik, Tanya, Fujin, Ashrah, Bo Rai'Cho

Cut Jax, Sonya, Johnny, Kung Lao, Kitana and Kenshi

Add Reiko, Fujin, Shinnok, Rain, Havik and Sareena/Ashra.

I would cut Ferra/Torr and add Jade

I wouldn't cut anyone at this point.

As much as I am/was looking forward to this game, overall as a whole this has to be one of the worst rosters of any MK game. IF that was to be the final roster. They would have to REALLY deliver on the DLC to spruce this up. The kombatants do not have enough diversity between all of them, aside from a few. The new kids on the block, from what I've seen, do not look unique enough or inspired. Even favorites like Raiden you'd expect by now to have a little more of an exciting look to him. Maybe DLC costume?Bland looking roster.

CUT:
Johnny Cage
Sonya
Liu Kang
Kano
Jax
Kung Lao
Kenshi

REPLACE WITH:
Ashrah(so much unexplored potential for her)
Tanya
Frost
Sheeva
Rain
Havik
Fujin or Kai or Sindel or Nightwolf or Cyrax or Kintaro

Cut

Sonya
Jax
Kenshi
Mileena
Ermac
Erron Black
Rayden

Replace

Sareena
Nitara
Fujin
Taven
Khameleon
Nightwolf or a descendent of his
New Female