Summary
- Mortal Kombat 3 is officially in development with screenwriter Jeremy Slater returning for the script
- The decision was fueled by the sequel’s trailer pulling in over 107 million global views, convincing the studio of high demand
- The sequel is expected to feature a ramped-up conflict with Shao Kahn and more of Johnny Cage
New Line Cinema is already moving into the next round of its martial arts fantasy franchise. Screenwriter Jeremy Slater has confirmed that Mortal Kombat 3 is officially in development, a major sign of confidence from Warner Bros. and New Line, even with Mortal Kombat II still months away from its theatrical premiere. The announcement was made at New York Comic Con, with Slater, known for his work on Moon Knight and The Umbrella Academy, set to return as the screenwriter.
The decision to greenlight the third installment so early stems from the overwhelming enthusiasm surrounding the sequel. Mortal Kombat II‘s red-band trailer, which was recently released, reportedly pulled in over 107 million global views within 24 hours. This massive reaction has convinced the studio that there is a huge fanbase ready for the franchise’s full escalation. When Slater announced the third installment and his return to the martial arts fantasy film, he was joined on stage by Adeline Rudolph, Karl Urban, Martyn Ford, Simon McQuoid and Tati Gabrielle at NYCC
Slater, who will be penning the script for the third film, expressed his excitement, stating that the studio is “so happy with this movie” that they hired him to start writing the next one immediately. While details on the plot and cast remain under wraps, fans can expect the sequel to ramp up the action. The film is likely to feature more of Johnny Cage and the returning champions of Earthrealm as they are forced into battle against the looming threat of Shao Kahn.
