Mortal Kombat 2s Scorpion Return Update Has Us Worried About The Sequels Biggest Challenge

The extent of Scorpion’s role in Mortal Kombat 2 ties into the Mortal Kombat sequel’s biggest challenge after the divisive 2021 reboot. While Mortal Kombat (2021) nailed important aspects of the video game, including the costumes and the special techniques used by the characters, the reboot left a lot to be desired in some aspects. The absence of Johnny Cage, the lack of Scorpion, and the fact the movie skipped the tournament altogether were some of the most criticized aspects of Mortal Kombat.

Fortunately, it seems that the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 is fixing some of the first movie’s biggest problems. Karl Urban joined the cast of Mortal Kombat 2 as Johnny Cage, the amount of new characters suggests a tournament will happen, and the arrival of villains like Quan Chi indicates Scorpion’s story will be front and center. That said, whether Scorpion’s presence in the sequel will be a significant improvement from his limited screen time in the 2021 film remains to be seen.

During an interview with Screen Rant, Mortal Kombat star Hiroyuki Sanada confirmed that Scorpion will be in the sequel. However, while Scorpion will apparently have a bigger role in Mortal Kombat 2 compared to the first one, the character’s screen time might not be that different. According to Sanada, how much of Scorpion will there be in the sequel “depends on the editing,” comparing it to how the character was a “bookend” in the first film. While it is natural for a character’s presence in a film to be defined in the editing, Mortal Kombat 2 should ideally include Hanzo as a protagonist.

After his disappointing role in the first film, Scorpion should have a bigger presence in Mortal Kombat 2, even more so considering Sub-Zero is expected to return as Noob Saibot. Despite being heavily featured in the film’s promotional material, Scorpion was barely in the first movie. Following the opening sequence in which Hanzo’s origin story is told, Scorpion only returns at the end of the movie to help Cole Young fight Sub-Zero. Giving Scorpion more to do while also giving enough screen time for all the other characters is a tricky challenge Mortal Kombat 2 will have to overcome.

As the first live-action Mortal Kombat movie since 1997, Mortal Kombat (2021) should have used more of Scorpion. Whereas Liu Kang was the face of the franchise in the 1990s, Scorpion has arguably become the most important Mortal Kombat character in the last few years alongside Sub-Zero. Much of Mortal Kombat’s visual identity in the 2010s revolved around Scorpion, which is why he should have had a bigger role in the live-action reboot. For example, instead of skipping most of Scorpion’s origin story, Mortal Kombat could have visited Netherrealm and showcased Hanzo’s transformation into the vengeful spirit.

Mortal Kombat’s main poster suggested that the conflict between Scorpion and Sub-Zero was going to be the focus of the movie. Instead, Hanzo and Bi-Han only fought each other in the opening sequence, with Scorpion returning at the end to help Cole Young fight Sub-Zero. Even the concept of Scorpion having a descendent who now has to fight Sub-Zero was not properly used, as Cole and Hanzo barely acknowledge each other at the end. Scorpion is one of the most interesting and popular MK characters, with his story offering countless possibilities for the movie adaptation.

Mortal Kombat 2’s biggest challenge is not only how to incorporate Scorpion and give him a bigger role, but also how to balance the screen time for all the important characters that will be in the sequel. In addition to the surviving champions from the first movie – which includes names like Jax, Sonya Blade, Cole Young, and Liu Kang – Mortal Kombat 2 will also feature some returning dead characters. Kung Lao and Kano are both confirmed to appear in the sequel, which makes sense given that death is only a portal in Mortal Kombat. Additionally, Mortal Kombat 2 will introduce new characters.

Multiple champions from the MK games will be featured in the sequel, including but not limited to Kitana, Sindel, and Johnny Cage, the last of whom was teased at the end of the first movie. That is not to mention the confirmed Mortal Kombat 2 villains Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, and Shao Kahn. Between heroes and antagonists, Mortal Kombat 2’s cast of characters will be full of names gamers will recognize. Giving each of them enough screen time will not be easy, regardless if a tournament happens. Hopefully, all of them will get to shine, especially Scorpion.

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