After being the primary antagonist in the first film, Shang Tsung will return in actual Mortal Kombat tournament. This is because Shang Tsung and his Outworld warriors fail to defeat Earthrealm's top fighters in the first movie.

After Cole Young and Scorpion team up to defeat Sub-Zero at the end of 2021's Mortal Kombat, Shang Tsung is banished from Earthrealm and seemingly returns to Outworld. This victory gives Earthrealm's fighters more time to prepare for the high-stakes tournament. Characters like Cole Young, Sonya Blade, Jax Briggs, Raiden, Liu Kang, and the highly anticipated Johnny Cage will all travel to Outworld in the sequel. However, based on a threat he made at the end of the first film, Shang Tsung will likely be more dangerous than ever in Mortal Kombat 2.

Mortal Kombat 2021 Teased Shang Tsung Using Armies To Fight Earthrealm's Champions Next

Despite Losing, Shang Tsung Threatens Earthrealm At The End Of Mortal Kombat 2021

In the first film, Shang Tsung hopes to kill Earthrealm's warriors before they have the chance to unlock their arcanas. This would give Outworld a better chance of winning its tenth Mortal Kombat tournament in a row, which means it could invade Earthrealm. Initially, Shang Tsung and his chosen warriors, such as Sub-Zero, Reptile, and Goro, appear to be far too big of threats for characters like Cole, Sonya, and Jax. However, thankfully, Raiden's guidance allows all three of these characters to unlock their arcanas.

Therefore, Earthrealm's warriors become much more powerful and confident fighters than they are at the beginning of the movie. Because of this, Shang Tsung's plan in the movie fails, meaning the Mortal Kombat tournament will proceed as planned. Even though the evil sorcerer leaves Earthrealm at the end of the film, he makes a threat that sets up his role in the sequel. Shang Tsung indicates that he will return with armies to fight Earthrealm's warriors instead of just single champions.

Shang Tsung Could Be Responsible For Mortal Kombat 2's Additional Villains

Mortal Kombat 2 Will Include A Lot Of Villains

Even though he was the main antagonist in the first film, it seems like other villains will take the spotlight in Mortal Kombat 2. It has been confirmed that Shao Kahn and Quan Chi, two of the most popular villains in the video games, will both appear in the sequel. Shao Kahn is the emperor of Outworld and will likely lead the realm in Mortal Kombat 2's tournament. Meanwhile, Quan Chi is a powerful sorcerer and necromancer from Netherrealm who is capable of bringing characters back from the dead.

In addition to working with Shao Kahn to strengthen Outworld's armies, Shang Tsung may also ensure that dangerous fighters from the first film will return to haunt Earthrealm's warriors in the sequel.

While these characters may have larger roles in the sequel, based on his threat at the end of the first film, it's possible that Shang Tsung will be the one to recruit them. Since Shao Kahn rules over Outworld, it's likely that he would've been involved in the story anyway. In fact, it's possible that he was the one who sent Shang Tsung to Earthrealm in the first film. Regardless, Shang Tsung may convince him to invade another realm like Edenia in Mortal Kombat 2, which could strengthen Outworld's army.

Additionally, Shang Tsung is the most likely candidate to travel to Netherrealm to convince Quan Chi to fight with them. In Mortal Kombat 2, it is highly likely that Quan Chi will revive characters like Sub-Zero and Kano so that they can participate in the tournament. Therefore, in addition to working with Shao Kahn to strengthen Outworld's armies, Shang Tsung may also ensure that dangerous fighters from the first film will return to haunt Earthrealm's warriors in the sequel.

Shang Tsung's Army In Mortal Kombat 2 Makes The Tournament Storyline More Dangerous

Earthrealm's Warriors Will Enter Enemy Territory In Mortal Kombat 2

Shang Tsung may not be the most powerful figure in Outworld, but it is clear he has a lot of influence and solid connections. Therefore, he will likely be more dangerous than ever in Mortal Kombat 2 and be deadset on making the tournament as difficult as possible for Earthrealm's fighters. In the sequel, Shang Tsung should oversee the whole tournament alongside Shao Kahn and do whatever it takes to make sure that Earthrealm doesn't win.

If he actually does have an army around him, Shang Tsung's goal in Mortal Kombat 2 will be much easier to accomplish. Therefore, I hope that Shang Tsung's threat to Earthrealm's fighters at the end of the first film actually comes true in the sequel. Overall, Shang Tsung is definitely an intriguing character, which makes me very excited to see what his role will be in Mortal Kombat 2.