There are a select few certainties in this life. Rating highest among them are death, taxes and fighting game guest characters.

The success of Freddy Krueger [pictured top] and Scorpion have all but ensured NetherRealm Studios will always entertain the idea of a guest fighter in their games. Why wouldn't they? According to Creative Director Ed Boon -- both characters went on to be the highest selling downloadable content (DLC) for their respective games [Mortal Kombat & Injustice: Gods Among Us].

During his Gamespot Stage Demo appearance at this year's E3 -- Boon also made it known there would indeed be considerations for a new guest character in Mortal Kombat X. He ruled out a return for 2011 Sony exclusive Kratos (God of War) via Twitter. So. Who will it be?...

Mad As Hell: MKX newcomer Ferra/Torr opposite Mad Max newcomer Tom Hardy.

Kratos wasn't the only Sony guest on the shortlist. Twisted Metal mascot Sweet Tooth was another character considered for the in-the-box console exclusive. If Sony's E3 Press Conference was anything to go by - Warner Bros' preferential relationship with the PlayStation will remain in tact. A PS4 exclusive seems very realistic, but we're looking for a guest character who will effect everyone -- for better or worse.

Scorpion's crossover appearance in a NetherRealm DC fighter was a bit of a no brainer, but Freddy Krueger stretched the realms of expectation a little further. Arguments can be made both ways about how much of a bond exists between the martial arts extremity of Mortal Kombat and the horror movie gore of A Nightmare on Elm Street. What's inescapable is the fact that Freddy Krueger -- specifically the 2010 remake version featured in Mortal Kombat -- was distributed by Warner Brothers.

With the likelihood of the long rumoured Mortal Kombat movie evaporated -- and only a new series of Mortal Kombat: Legacy to cross-promote -- we've been wondering what other film franchise might make sense for guest DLC.

Only one movie was on everyone's lips upon the E3 reveal of new character(s) - Ferra/Torr. In fact - during Ed Boon's appearance on stage with IGN - they finally broached the apparent Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome comparison being made by fans online. The suggestion elicited a knowing, copyright compliant, wholly uninfringing chuckle from the Creative Director.

Road Warrior: Tom Hardy leaps into action in Mad Max: Fury Road. [via Entertainment Weekly]

Mad Max - for those who might not know it - is the title character and seminal 1979 Australian carpocalypse film that launched Mel Gibson to stardom. The international growth of the "Road Warrior" series in the 1980s made it a cult hit with fans of dystopic sci-fi. This landmark following has warranted a long coming 2015 reboot with original director George Miller, in Mad Max: Fury Road. The film is currently scheduled to be distributed theatrically in May by - you guessed it - Warner Brothers.

With Mortal Kombat X projecting the story up to twenty-five years into the future -- you've got to think dystopian herocop "Mad" Max Rockatansky would make about as much sense as guest characters ever do. He certainly fits in with the "MasterBlaster" [pictured right] inspired tandem of Ferra/Torr -- and would look at home in the Barter Town-esque Outworld Marketplace we saw in E3 gameplay demos [and screenshots].

A May 2015 theatrical release puts the movie right around expected dates for a home console release of Mortal Kombat X. The film also stars Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult & Zoe Kravitz.

Of course, Freddy Krueger didn't make his MK DLC debut until a year after that film was released. He wasn't the only cross-media tie-in we've seen in DLC, however. While they weren't guest characters, per se, Injustice: Gods Among Us did welcome character skins based on the Man of Steel theatrical release: Superman & General Zod. The likeness and voice of Stephen Amell were also employed for TV-inspired Green Arrow DLC.

If "X" can mean "Next" can it also equal "Max"? How deep do the Mad Max references run? Register to tell us your thoughts on the Mortal Kombat X forum!