Get ready to have your mind blown: Mortal Kombat 3 is officially in development at Warner Brothers, even before the second installment hits theaters! But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this a bold move to capitalize on fan excitement, or a risky gamble that could overshadow the upcoming sequel? At New York Comic Con, screenwriter Jeremy Slater dropped the bombshell alongside Mortal Kombat stars Adeline Rudolph, Karl Urban, Martyn Ford, Simon McQuoid, and Tati Gabrielle. Slater revealed that Warner Bros. and New Line are so confident in the franchise’s massive fanbase that they’ve already greenlit the third film—a rare vote of confidence in today’s unpredictable box office landscape.
The announcement comes months ahead of Mortal Kombat II’s May 15 release, leaving fans buzzing with anticipation. While no plot details for the third film have been shared, the series continues to draw from the iconic video game franchise, where Earthrealm’s champions battle the chaotic forces of Outworld in high-stakes tournaments. Heroes like Cole Young, Sonya Blade, and Liu Kang face off against villains such as Shang Tsung, Mileena, and Goro—a formula that’s proven wildly successful.
And this is the part most people miss: The 2021 Mortal Kombat film, directed by Simon McQuoid, was a pandemic-era phenomenon. Despite debuting in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously, it topped the box office, grossing $84 million worldwide on a $55 million budget. It also became HBO Max’s most-watched film launch at the time, proving the franchise’s enduring appeal.
The sequel, Mortal Kombat II, expands the tournament storyline and brings back fan-favorite characters, including Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade. New additions like Karl Urban as Johnny Cage and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana promise to shake things up. But with the third film already in the works, will the sequel feel like a stepping stone rather than a standalone hit?
Here’s the controversial question: Is Warner Bros. moving too fast, or are they smartly capitalizing on the franchise’s momentum? Let’s debate in the comments—are you excited for Mortal Kombat 3, or do you think they should focus on delivering a knockout sequel first?
