An idea I had regarding MK9 characters who might be left out, or only play a minor role (like Sheeva, in likelihood), would be to bring them back exactly as they were in MK9. Same models, same moves, same everything, with perhaps a few modifications if the gameplay requires it. A bit like the classic characters in MKT.

Let's imagine that Kotal Kahn in story mode gets his own chapter detailing his rise to power. His conquest of Outworld could see him face certain enforcers like Skarlet, that he'd kill. If that all happened in a cutscene, I wouldn't trust NRS not to portray them as helpless cannon fodder just to put Kotal over, in wrestling terms.

Sonya and Johnny could also return as their MK9 selves, if they're not going to be involved throughout the whole story. In one part of the story mode, you could play as a very young, say 13 years old Cassie being trained by her parents (which would actually have players fight them). Cassie's teenage self would be like Shujinko's younger selves, only playable in that part of the story mode.

This could especially work for the deceased characters. If Quan Chi and Shinnok return, they could throw the undead heroes in the living ones' way. Them being exactly like they were in MK9 could add to their undead state. They're dead, and the only change for them is zombification, both physically and mentally.

Let's imagine that Quan Chi's MK9 ending partially happens, and he gains Shao Kahn's soul. At some point in the story, players find themselves unexpectedly facing an undead Shao Kahn, in all his glorious cheapness, and being a zombie, wouldn't stop to taunt players this time.

I think in some cases it'd be better to have MK9 characters with unchanged gameplay, than to see them strictly make small, likely unflattering appearances in cutscenes. If Sonya, Johnny, or any of the enforcers are going to die, they might as well be killed being fought during gameplay. Again, I don't see NRS bothering to give them all spectacular fight scenes, but rather for some of them to get the Motaro treatment.

And of course, this whole idea could be great for DLC. What do you people think?