A teaser for the live-action Mortal Kombat is set to release in theaters and on HBO Max on April 16, 2020.
Like the two theatrical Mortal Kombat films released in the 1990s, the release from director Simon McQuoid and producer James Wan will feature a collection of classic characters from the hyperviolent, heavily-beloved video games. Tan’s Cole Young character will be ed by Mortal Kombat mainstays like Kano, Jax, Sonya, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Lord Raiden. It’s also been revealed that Mortal Kombat will focus on Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s rivalry in a major way – the two supernatural ninjas who spend the games in a vicious cycle of murder, revenge, death, resurrection, reconciliation, and murder.
Precious little footage of the film itself has been released while fans wait for the full official trailer, but a series of promo images and brief clips have leaked out over time. The newest footage from Mortal Kombat came in an HBO Max montage advertising various films airing on the platform this year. In one split-second shot, Sub-Zero can be seen in a city street at night seemingly controlling and/or creating a flurry of snowy, icy energy around him. The clip cuts off frustratingly before revealing what Sub-Zero is about to use the power for, but it’s still in interesting tidbit for fans to mull over since it seemingly reveals a new ability for the iconic character.
Primarily, the shot of Sub-Zero appearing to control a greater range of his frozen element expands on his normal video game abilities. Usually the ice ninja’s powers focus on projecting ice from his body, most frequently as a concentrated blast, but occasionally in other forms as well. The movie clip seems to show him channeling a more atmospheric ability, either altering the temperature in a greater area around him to create ice or manipulating existing moisture in the air.
The Sub-Zero in the Mortal Kombat movie reboot has been confirmed to be a resurrected agent of the sorcerer Shang Tsung, which could imbue him with new abilities heretofore unseen. The promise of more sweeping blizzard powers could even hint at a new “Fatality” finishing move for the ninja – something he’ll surely utilize in his battles against Cole, Scorpion and the rest of the cast. Unfortunately, the details of Sub-Zero and his new moves largely remain a mystery. Fans will have to wait for the full Mortal Kombat trailer to learn more.
