‘Mortal Kombat II’ Star Teases Fatalities That Will Make Fans ‘Really Pissed Off’

When the first Mortal Kombat video game was released in 1992, it was so controversial that saying it was extremely scandalous is a huge understatement. Largely based on the reactions to the game's brutality, there were even U.S. governmental hearings on violence in video games at the time.

Despite the video game franchise exhibiting over-the-top violence, the first two live-action Mortal Kombat movies were relatively tame. Then, an R-rated 2021 Mortal Kombat movie that greatly upped the ante was released and became successful enough to spawn a sequel. Now, one of the stars of Mortal Kombat II says that the upcoming movie will feature several fatalities that will leave some fans feeling furious.

‘Mortal Kombat II’ Star Lewis Tan Teases ‘A Lot of Fatalities’ That Will Be Divisive Among Fans

Throughout the history of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, one of its biggest hallmarks has always been its, once extremely controversial, Fatalities. During 2021's Mortal Kombat movie, the film featured a handful of Fatalities, including one particularly gruesome one from Kung Lao that was based on something from the games.

After starring in the 2021 movie as Cole Young, Lewis Tan will be reprising that role for the upcoming sequel, which is slated for release on May 8, 2026. In November 2025, Tan spoke to ComicBook.com about what fans should expect from Mortal Kombat II's Fatalities. As the movie's star explained to the outlet, the film will feature a lot of Fatalities, which could make fans very happy or extremely upset.

"Don’t be too upset, but there are a lot of fatalities. Some people are going to be happy and some are going to be really p-ssed off.”

While Tan suggested that some fans may be angry at the prospect of seeing their favorite fighters from the franchise meet their brutal end, he offered some reassurance earlier in the interview. While talking about how many characters will be in peril during the upcoming movie, Tan explained that Mortal Kombat's infamous Fatalities don't necessarily mean the defeated fighter is gone for good.

"They should be worried for everyone, to be honest. In different versions of the script, different people died. I was like, ‘No way.’ Then, they changed it and switched it. By the end of it, nobody is safe. Anybody could die… and there are a lot of fatalities in the second movie. If your favorite character dies, it’s not the end. Death is only the beginning."

The Trailer for ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Confirms That Death Doesn’t Have To Be the End for the Franchise’s Fighters

During 2021's Mortal Kombat, fans were introduced to Josh Lawson's hilarious depiction of Kano, a merciless mercenary and criminal who should never be trusted. This is a major spoiler for the 2021 film, but the movie saw Kano lose his life at the hands of the character's longtime video game nemesis, Sonya Blade.

Since Lawson was so entertaining as Kano, some fans may have been disappointed at that moment, assuming that it meant they wouldn't get to see more of his depiction of the character. However, the trailer for Mortal Kombat II ends with footage of Kano being as loud and over-the-top as ever. While that may surprise some observers, it makes perfect sense since the Mortal Kombat video game series is predicated on its fighters battling each other over and over, despite any fatalities they may suffer.