Mortal Kombat II debuted last weekend to a tepid reception from critics and audiences. However, the venerable video game franchise has been through numerous ups and downs throughout its long history, so it’s never wise to count it out, even when it seems close to defeat. Indeed, while Mortal Kombat II‘s box office is not what the powers that be expected, the chances of seeing a third movie are far from impossible, especially because the film will surely do good business once it hits streaming.
If a third movie does indeed happen, then there is much to be excited about, especially considering several major characters from the series are still missing from these live-action adaptations. From fan-favorite villains to divisive figures that might be avoided for a good reason, the live-action movies are still missing a few major Mortal Kombat characters. Whether we’ll eventually see them in this blossoming franchise or not remains to be seen, but loyal fans would undoubtedly love to see these fighters on the big screen performing Fatalities in all their bloody glory.
Cyrax & Sektor
Introduced to the franchise in 1995 as part of the arcade game Mortal Kombat 3, the cybernetic assassins Cyrax and Sektor have become two of the most iconic figures in the long-running franchise. Originally, these two were members of the Lin Kuei clan before being recruited by the Cyber Initiative, becoming emotionless and precise killing machines whose sole purpose is to hunt down and kill Sub-Zero. Although Cyrax has been portrayed more like a tragic antihero, Sektor is usually depicted as an utterly unhinged antagonist to Kuai Liang and Hanzo Hasashi.
Cyrax and Sektor represent two sides of the same coin, and their dynamic would be incredible to explore in live-action, especially if they’re introduced as a duo. Although they have been gender-swapped in the current continuity of the games, these two complicated figures could just as easily appear in their original form should they appear in a potential Mortal Kombat III. Their story is perfect to explore issues of humanity and redemption, adding some welcome dramatic gravitas to the franchise’s bloody mayhem. Indeed, if done right, Cyrax and Sektor have the potential to become two of the best and most complex cyborgs in movies.
D’Vorah
I can already imagine a lot of you rolling your eyes at the inclusion of this controversial bug lady, and you might have a point. With so many cool characters to choose from, why go with one who is so polarizing among fans? However, love her or hate her — and I do really believe she has as many fans as she has hardcore haters — D’Vorah has very quickly become a major part of the Mortal Kombat lore. Introduced in Mortal Kombat X, this duplicitous Kytinn has committed enough betrayals to make Benedict Arnold proud.
D’Vorah is equally admired and despised for the same reasons: she’s killed many, many fan-favorites in the saga, from Mileena to Baraka and, perhaps most infamously, Hanzo Hasashi, the franchise’s de facto protagonist. However, no one can deny she is quite an original creation, with a striking design, unique powers, and some of the most disgusting Fatalities in Mortal Kombat history. Seeing her in live-action would be a chance for the movies to showcase their love for bloodshed, and it would also give fans a villain they would 100% love to hate.
Kenshi Takanashi
If we’re talking about popular video game characters, we simply cannot leave Kenshi Takanashi out of the conversation. Debuting in 2002’s Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Kenshi is a blind swordsman and Special Forces operative with telekinetic abilities. He has a long-standing feud with Shang Tsung (join the line, amirite?), and his backstory has undergone quite a few changes, going from a born fighter to his current state as a former Yakuza and descendant of the Taira clan looking to recover its ancestral sword.
Overall, Kenshi is widely regarded as one of Mortal Kombat‘s best and most emblematic characters, with fans praising his gameplay and tragic backstory. Should he make his way into live action, his original journey would be the way to go, as it would also give him a valid reason to go after Shang Tsung. Sure, his status as a blind warrior with heightened senses that make him near-infallible is far from original, but overall, Kenshi is a valuable figure in the Mortal Kombat lore, and one of the additions who genuinely feel as if he’d been part of the saga from the beginning.
Kuai Liang
The original Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, dies at the end of the first Mortal Kombat tournament, and his corrupted soul reincarnates as the evil Noob Saibot. His brother, Kuai Liang, takes over the Sub-Zero mantle and turns it into a synonym of honor and courage as opposed to the brutality that his brother enforced. He also forms a friendship with Scorpion, one of the best developments in the series as a whole. Sure, his current standing is divisive after the changes made in 2023’s Mortal Kombat 1, but Kuai Liang remains a pillar of the gaming series.
Fans expected Kuai Liang to make his debut in Mortal Kombat II, especially considering Bi-Han dies at the end of the first movie and returns in the sequel as Noob Saibot. Alas, Kuai Liang sat out the events of the 2026 movie, meaning he’s still out there in the live-action canon waiting to take over the Sub-Zero mantle. Not including him in the sequel was probably not the best idea, but it can always be fixed in a third movie. Kuai Liang is among Mortal Kombat‘s most heroic and compassionate characters, and those are always a surefire bet with fans. There’s also tons of dramatic potential in the dynamic with both his deceased brother and Scorpion, which would bring further depth to go with the tournament chaos.
Shinnok
Also known as The Fallen Elder God, Shinnok is one of Mortal Kombat‘s most recurring and important villains. Vengeful and quite powerful, this God of Death seeks to destroy all realms. He rules the Netherrealm and possesses vast power and knowledge. Originally, his purpose was to battle his sister, Cetrion, forever, thus keeping a balance of light and dark. Unlike other villains in the saga, Shinnok falls in the category of “scheming, charming, manipulative foe,” using his intellect and influence rather than brute strength to pursue his goals.
Out of all the characters on this list, Shinnok has the most to gain from a well-executed appearance in live-action. Suffice it to say, his role in the games has been divisive at best, largely due to how one-note he seemed during his debut in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero. Flash forward nearly thirty years, and his reputation is still divisive at best, although his backstory in Mortal Kombat X did a lot to improve his standing. Bringing him into live-action could also be a perfect opportunity to further expand the lore of the series, especially if his complex family history is included.
Skarlet
Making her debut in 2011’s Mortal Kombat, Skarlet is among the newest additions to the franchise. However, she has quickly made a name for herself, thanks to her unique abilities and the incredibly gory and hyper-violent Fatalities they come with, which are wild even for Mortal Kombat‘s lofty standards. A practitioner of the deadly arts of Black Magic, Skarlet is the adopted daughter of Shao Khan and his personal bodyguard. Skarlet originated as a fan theory due to a glitch that caused Kitana and Mileena’s sprited to turn red in Mortal Kombat 2.
Skarlet’s blood abilities would be extremely cool on the big screen, and her role as a major antagonist would also lead to a true carnival of carnage against Earthrealm’s heroes. Out of the major playable characters in the franchise, Skarlet is arguably the one with the most potential to truly make a name for herself in the movies after playing a significant but not impactful role in the games. Her visual design and abilities are striking, and her allegiances to the Outworld make her the ideal candidate to play a villainous role in a potential Mortal Kombat III. She would also immediately stand out among the current roster of characters in the live-action movies, making her inclusion all the more anticipated.
