Based on a specific casting announcement for actual Mortal Kombat tournament. Mortal Kombat 2 will continue the stories of characters like Cole Young, Sonya Blade, Jax Briggs, and also finally introduce Johnny Cage.

In addition to these characters, it has also been announced that both Hiroyuki Sanada and Joe Taslim will return for the sequel after playing Scorpion and Sub-Zero, respectively, in the first film. This may be surprising to some since Cole Young and Scorpion teamed up to kill Sub-Zero at the end of 2021's Mortal Kombat, but longtime fans of the franchise expected this since the iconic blue ninja also returns in the games. However, since Taslim is reprising his role, it doesn't seem like Mortal Kombat 2 will repeat a Sub-Zero twist from the games.

Mortal Kombat 2 Is Bringing Sub-Zero Back, But With An Expected Twist

Noob Saibot Will Appear In Mortal Kombat 2

Sub-Zero returning in Mortal Kombat 2 shouldn't be surprising to longtime fans of the franchise since it is not uncommon for characters to return from the dead in the games. Ahead of the release of the sequel, it has been theorized that Quan Chi will revive Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 2. Quan Chi, a necromancer from Netherrealm who is capable of bringing people back to life, has been confirmed to have a role in Mortal Kombat 2.

Related
Mortal Kombat 2 Will Have A Lot Of Fights, But This Is The One I Really Want To See After 2021's Scorpion Disappointment

The 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot was hit or miss when it came to action, but the sequel needs to redeem the fights between two characters.

5

However, Taslim will not portray the same version of Sub-Zero that we saw in the first movie. Instead, Taslim will play Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat 2. After dying in the first video game, Bi-Han is resurrected by Quan Chi and returns as Noob Saibot, who wears a black and gray outfit that reminds people of his connection to death and shadows. This is one of the best twists in the video games, so it makes sense for Taslim to portray Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat 2.

Mortal Kombat 2's Video Game Had A Different Sub-Zero Twist

The Second Mortal Kombat Game Introduced Kuai Liang

Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat standing in front of a fence

However, it should be noted that Noob Saibot's true identity wasn't revealed until Mortal Kombat: Deception, which came out 12 years after the first game. Therefore, fans didn't know that Noob Saibot was actually Bi-Han, the original Sub-Zero, for years. While this twist took a long time to be revealed, the second Mortal Kombat game included another twist related to Sub-Zero.

At the start of the second game, it is not revealed that the new Sub-Zero is actually Bi-Han's brother, which creates some intrigue surrounding the character.

After Scorpion kills Bi-Han in the first game, his brother, Kuai Liang, s the tournament in Mortal Kombat II seeking revenge. At the start of the second game, it is not revealed that the new Sub-Zero is actually Bi-Han's brother, which creates some intrigue surrounding the character. Just like Bi-Han, Kuai Liang is a Lin Kuei assassin who holds his own against Scorpion and other fighters in the Mortal Kombat tournament. After debuting in Mortal Kombat II, Kuai Liang fights as Sub-Zero in many other Mortal Kombat games.

Mortal Kombat 2 Won't Be Able To Pull Off The Sub-Zero Brother Twist

It Will Be Harder To Execute This Sub-Zero Twist In A Mortal Kombat Movie

A closeup of Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 2021

While the second game was easily able to pull off this brother twist, the same can't be said for the movie. Taslim is a recognizable actor, which means it will be easy to tell if it's actually him under the mask. Therefore, if Mortal Kombat 2 does try to repeat this twist, it likely won't be that effective. However, it will definitely still be very exciting to see Taslim appear as Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat 2, which will feature him trying to get revenge against Scorpion after the intense ending of the first film.

Mortal Kombat 2 poster
Mortal Kombat 2
R
Action
Martial Arts
Supernatural
Adventure
Release Date
October 24, 2025
Director
Simon McQuoid
Writers
Jeremy Slater
Prequel(s)
Mortal Kombat
Franchise(s)
Mortal Kombat
  • Headshot Of Karl Urban In The Premiere Of Thor Ragnarok
    Johnny Cage
  • Headshot Of Adeline Rudolph
    Adeline Rudolph
    Kitana
  • Headshot Of Jessica McNamee
    Jessica McNamee
    Sonya Blade
  • Headshot Of Josh Lawson
    Josh Lawson
    Kano