I'd prefer it if there isn't anything overt...at least first. Something more like MK1 where you just had a bunch of characters and any one of them could be the "star."

Depending on who returns, focal protagonists in each sub-plot would be:
- Sub-Zero
- Kitana
- Shang Tsung or Kung Lao (maybe)
- Mileena
- Ermac or Li Mei
- Sareena
- Scorpion

Might seem a little crowded, but they lead their own sub-plots that, depending on how the overall story goes, eventually converge over a central spine. Some will end up more important or more prominant than others.

Should also take new characters into consideration and allow them room to expand into major roles. Not force them, like they did with Shujinko and Taven. But don't let them get swallowed in the shadows of the established characters.


As for antagonists....again, depending on who returns:
- Raiden
- Hotaru or Sektor (for Sub-Zero)
- Tanya (for Mileena)
- someone for Sareena (Drahmin or Ashrah or Noob Saibot or Nitara)

Anyone else gets new opponents.

Boon's eyebrows should be the protagonist.

I had one very nice interview where they confirmed to me that Sonya was once again playing a lead role like she did in MKvsDC.

As for my personal opinion, the main staring characters in the overall plot should be (and this is assuming they make the final cut):

Raiden
Sonya
Mileena
Sub-Zero
Scorpion (if improved)
Hotaru or Havik (or maybe even both)
Nitara
Kenshi
Johnny cage (come on, with that amazing MKA bio he definitely deserves one final shot)
Quan Chi (he is most likely back, so, I hope they do it good)
Ermac
Ashrah

A bit crowded, but, they can definitely make it work. We don't just need 3 main characters. They did it pretty well in MKvsDC after all.

1. shinnok - recruiting new fighters to help his schemes.
2. raiden - recruiting new fighters to help earthrealm.
3. quan chi - doing his own thing.
4. fujin - new protector of earthrealm.
5. scorpion - searching for quan chi.
6. reptile - doing his own thing.
7.noob saibot - doing his own thing
8.stryker - being raidens right hand man and leader for earthrealm.
9.sub zero - helping out with earthrealm and doing his own thing.
10 .kitana - leading forces for edania.
11.baraka - doing his own thing.
12 cyrax. - helping the special forces out and becomes the new leader for the special forces.
13. new character - helping earthrealm.
14. new character - evil plan for her own reasons.
15. new character - helping earthrealm.
16. new boss - elmental character that can use all elments.
17. new sub boss - quick female character that has a mysterious past.
18 new hidden character - new female fighter.

the new characters will be the main focus of the series while the main mk fighters support the new fighters to bring what is to come for the franchise of mk. there will be 6 rows of 3 characters to make up the character select screen.

hope you enjoyed and feel free to post your opinons of the characters i selected to come back and the roles i think they should play. just curious what characters the fans want back and for what reasons.

I'd prefer it to be something like in Soul Calibur series where all characters or at least most of them are equally important and from game to game those more important roles shift between characters so everyone gets their chance to shine.

Anyway, here's my list:

GOOD CHARACTERS:

- Fujin & Kung Lao: Fujin as the official protector of Earthrealm with Kung Lao something like his general

- Nightwolf & Kai: also playing an important role in Earth's protection, but having some issues with Fujin & Kung Lao

- Sub-Zero: doing his own thing, that's why he's so cool (I wouldn't like to see him taking Liu's place, I like him as he is, doing his own stuff)

- Kitana: like Sub-Zero, doing her own thing & becoming more cold blooded, still a good character though

- Ermac: being a thorn in the eyes of the evil guys in Outworld (hopefully they don't change a thing about his MKD primary costume 'cause that was perfection)


EVIL CHARACTERS:

- Shinnok: was brilliant in Armageddon, hopefully he comes back and manipulates some more

- Noob Saibot: doing his own stuff and maybe accidentally crossing path with someone else

- Sektor: evolving the Tekunin into a massive force, one that will screw up the plans of everyone else (good or bad)

- Reiko: working his way on emerging as the main force in Outworld in the post-Kahn era


NEUTRAL CHARACTERS:

- Ashrah & Nitara: continuing their rivalry

- Raiden: doing his own stuff, being very mysterious


... ... ...

So, that's 14 returning characters, I'd have a few more to return and a maximum of 5-6 new characters (quality over quantity) for a total roster of approximately 25 characters.

Going with my MK9 story idea. Which I want the icons to comeback, and have the good guys and bad guys join forces to defeat a new invasive force.

Lui Kang(Not a Zomie)
Shang Tsung

Sonya
Kano

Sub-zero
Scorpion

Johnny Cage
Goro

Raiden
Jax

Kitana
Reptile

New Villain

I agree with this. It'd be nice to be presented with a small number of returning characters and a larger number of new characters all with a diverse array of story arcs which can then flourish so that everyone is a protagonist in some way.
An obvious protaganist shouldn't be evident until we see the endings but even then it should be anyones call. That way it gives everyone a moment to shine and possible plotlines for later games.
That being said, I'd hate for there to be just one hero. It's time the responsibility got shared a little. We don't need another Liu Kang type as such. The role of protagonist could be shared in the new game or the next and passed on to another character or two thus giving everyone a moments glory.
For antagonists, again, it'd be nice to see more than one threat. Unlike MKDA where Shang and Quan were working together, I'd like two independent bad guys who have differing goals which then forces those who are protagonists and neutral to choose where their path lies. This could be one way to produce more than one overall protagonist in the end.
Possible protagonists could be:
Sub-Zero
Sonya
Johnny Cage
Kitana
Ermac
Kenshi
Possible antagonists could be:
Noob Saibot
Quan Chi
Shao Kahn
Sektor
Tanya
Nitara
Raiden (as much as I hate to say it)
Another cool thing would be to have an accidental protagonist. I was hoping Mokap could've filled this role before MKA but that wasn't to be. By accidental protagonist, I mean someone who wasn't really involved with anything much suddenly finding themselves the centre of attention, unbeknownst to them. They could hold the key to someones plans suceeding or in turn failing and could trigger something massive or even bring about the climax without realising what they've done. They'd just be the person that's along for the ride and don't really know what the hell is going on. This could be one of the neutral characters perhaps. Heck, it could even happen in reverse giving us an accidental bad guy. Who knows?

Liu Kang
Johnny Cage
Sonya Blade
Raiden
Sub-Zero
Scorpion
Kano
Reptile
Shang Tsung
Goro