Mortal Kombat 3 is Happening! Here's What We Know So Far

Hold onto your kombat boots! Even though Mortal Kombat II is still a ways off, Warner Bros. and New Line are so confident in the franchise's future, they've already greenlit a third movie!

TL;DR

• Mortal Kombat III is officially in development with Jeremy Slater returning as screenwriter.
• This awesome news was dropped at New York Comic-Con, surprisingly far ahead of Mortal Kombat II's May 2026 release.
• Studio confidence is through the roof, fueled by MKII's record-shattering red-band trailer (107 million views in 24 hours!) and great test screenings.

"Get Over Here!" The Big Mortal Kombat 3 Announcement at NYCC

Okay, Mortal Kombat fans, prepare for a flawless victory in news! We just got some seriously exciting updates straight from New York Comic-Con. While everyone's eagerly anticipating Mortal Kombat II, which just got pushed back to a May 2026 release, the buzz around the franchise is so strong that a third movie is already in the works!

Screenwriter Jeremy Slater, who's also penned Mortal Kombat II, made the official announcement at the NYCC panel. He’ll be coming back to write Mortal Kombat III, confirming that New Line and Warner Bros. are all-in on expanding this brutal cinematic universe.

"Our friends at New Line and Warner Bros. are so happy and excited with this movie," Slater revealed. "They are so convinced that there is a giant fanbase waiting for it that they already hired me to start writing the next installment of 'Mortal Kombat.'"

— Jeremy Slater, Screenwriter

Why Studios are Confident Enough to Greenlight a Third Film So Early

It might seem wild to greenlight a third film when the second one is still over a year away, but Warner Bros. and New Line aren't just taking a gamble. They're playing the long game with some serious data in their corner. The first Mortal Kombat movie in 2021, despite launching during the COVID-19 pandemic with a dual theatrical and HBO Max release, still managed to gross over $84 million worldwide against a $55 million budget. It was even HBO Max’s most successful film launch at the time, proving there's a hungry audience for these adaptations.

But the real showstopper boosting studio confidence for MKII and beyond was its red-band trailer. Released in July, it absolutely demolished records, racking up an astonishing 107 million global views within just 24 hours! This wasn't even during a major sports event or other huge media push, making its organic reach even more impressive. That kind of fan engagement is a clear signal to studios that people are ready for more.

The Strategic Release Date for Mortal Kombat II and Its Impact

Initially, Mortal Kombat II was slated for October 24, 2025. However, it was strategically delayed to May 15, 2026. Director Simon McQuoid clarified at NYCC that this wasn't a setback, but a "victim of our own success." The film, according to him, has gained significant momentum through screenings, leading them to realize they had a "massive summer blockbuster" on their hands. This new May release date positions MKII as a prime summer contender, avoiding direct competition with other big hitters like Supergirl and Spider-Man: Brand New Day a couple of months later.

This exclusive theatrical release for Mortal Kombat II (unlike the first film's hybrid model) will really test the franchise's full box office potential. If it performs as well as anticipated, it validates the studio's early commitment to a third installment and suggests a robust future for the Earthrealm warriors.

Jeremy Slater's Vision for a Bigger, More Emotional Battle

Jeremy Slater, who is not only writing Mortal Kombat III but also co-wrote Mortal Kombat II, brings a strong track record from hits like Disney+'s Moon Knight and Netflix's The Umbrella Academy. His involvement signals a commitment to quality storytelling alongside the signature fatalities.

For Mortal Kombat II, Slater and director Simon McQuoid are pushing boundaries, aiming for a "bigger in every way possible" sequel. They're dialing up the emotion, delivering "much higher highs and lower lows" for the characters. McQuoid also emphasized exploring more realms and environments from the rich Mortal Kombat lore, promising a visually massive experience, especially for IMAX viewers.

And don't worry, "more emotion" doesn't mean less action! McQuoid is reportedly aiming for twice as many fights as the first film. Slater clarified their approach to the tournament structure, ensuring "no downtime" between fights, as characters will be on their own missions and adventures. This commitment to expanded scope, character depth, and relentless action in MKII lays a solid groundwork for MKIII to build upon.

Producer Todd Garner's Long-Term Plan for the Mortal Kombat Universe

The idea of a third Mortal Kombat movie wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision at NYCC. Producer Todd Garner had already hinted at a broader vision for the franchise back in August. He explicitly stated their hopes for the franchise to continue beyond the sequel, mentioning plans for "character development" and not wanting to "do everything in this movie and then have nowhere to go with these characters."

"We're hoping this is not the end of the [Mortal Kombat] franchise. It's not like we're just doing this movie and this is going to be it, hopefully. So, we have a plan further down the line for things. There's character development [...] There are things that are planned because we don't want to do everything in this movie and then have nowhere to go with these characters. In Movies, you're developing characters over time."

— Todd Garner, Producer

Garner even brought up the potential for spinoffs alongside more sequels if Mortal Kombat II performs well. This long-term strategic planning from the creative team, coupled with the studios' strong belief in the franchise's appeal, makes the early greenlighting of Mortal Kombat III a logical and exciting move for fans.

Who's Returning and What to Expect for Characters in Mortal Kombat II (and Beyond)

While specific plot details for Mortal Kombat III are under wraps (since MKII hasn't even hit screens!), we can look to the confirmed cast of Mortal Kombat II to get a sense of who might stick around for the third round. Many fan-favorite characters are returning, and MKII promises to delve deeper into their journeys.

Key Characters and Their Development in the Upcoming Sequel

• Johnny Cage (Karl Urban): A huge addition! Urban described his character in MKII as starting "a very dispirited character," with a tanked career and forgotten by the world. We'll see him "transform into a true champion of Earth Realm," launched involuntarily into the action. Slater noted it was fun to "start him at a lower place and watch him become the Johnny Cage we know and love." This arc sets him up perfectly for continued adventures.
• Kitana (Adeline Rudolph): Another highly anticipated character, Kitana's graceful yet lethal fan combat will be a highlight. Her role is said to be central, alongside Johnny Cage.
• Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee): A returning hero from the first film, Sonya's combat skills and leadership are crucial.
• Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim as Bi-Han): These iconic rivals are both returning, suggesting their complex story will continue to unfold.
• Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) and Kung Lao (Max Huang): Earthrealm's Shaolin monks are central to the fight against Outworld.
• Jax (Mehcad Brooks): The powerful Special Forces major will be back in action.
• Kano (Josh Lawson): The unpredictable and often hilarious mercenary will bring his unique brand of chaos.
• Raiden (Tadanobu Asano): The protector of Earthrealm, his wisdom and power are essential.
• Shang Tsung (Chin Han) and Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford): The main antagonists, their dark rule is the driving force behind the conflict. Shao Kahn's direct involvement in MKII means MKIII will likely deal with the fallout or escalation of his reign.
• Cole Young (Lewis Tan): The original character introduced in the 2021 reboot, Cole leads Earthrealm's champions.

The sequel's narrative heavily centers on the tournament itself, structuring the characters' journeys through it. The filmmakers are keen to utilize the "treasure trove" of lore built over the years, hinting at a truly expansive universe for future films.

What Does This Mean for Fans of the Mortal Kombat Universe?

For us fans, this early greenlight for Mortal Kombat III is incredibly exciting! It's a strong indication that Warner Bros. is committed to building a long-lasting, interconnected cinematic universe for the franchise. We're not just getting a sequel; we're getting a saga with a clear path forward.

The dedication to making Mortal Kombat II a "massive summer blockbuster" with more emotion, more fights, and an exclusive theatrical release means the studios are investing heavily in the big-screen experience. And with Jeremy Slater hinting at special IMAX-exclusive story bits for MKII, it shows a creative team thinking about how to maximize the cinematic impact.

In short, if you love brutal martial arts, iconic characters, and a rich, expanding lore, the future of Mortal Kombat on the big screen looks brighter than ever. Get ready to shout "Finish Him!" for many years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mortal Kombat Movies

When is Mortal Kombat II coming out? Mortal Kombat II is currently scheduled to hit theaters on May 15, 2026. This is a change from its original October 2025 release date, moved to position it as a major summer blockbuster.

Who is writing Mortal Kombat III? Jeremy Slater, who also co-wrote Mortal Kombat II, has been confirmed to return as the screenwriter for Mortal Kombat III.

Will the main cast from Mortal Kombat II return for a third film? While specific casting for Mortal Kombat III hasn't been announced, it's highly likely that many of the core cast members from Mortal Kombat II, especially the "classic, established characters" like Karl Urban's Johnny Cage, Jessica McNamee's Sonya Blade, and Hiroyuki Sanada's Scorpion, would return to continue their stories.

Why was Mortal Kombat III announced so early? Warner Bros. and New Line greenlit Mortal Kombat III ahead of the sequel's release due to extreme confidence in Mortal Kombat II. This confidence stems from positive test screenings and the record-breaking success of MKII's red-band trailer, which garnered over 107 million views in 24 hours, signaling massive fan demand.

Sources

• MovieWeb: Mortal Kombat III Already in Development
• Deadline: New Line Eyeing ‘Mortal Kombat III’ With Jeremy Slater Returning As Screenwriter
• TheWrap: ‘Mortal Kombat 3’ in the Works With Jeremy Slater Writing Screenplay
• The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Mortal Kombat 3’ in the Works With Jeremy Slater Writing Screenplay
• PC Gamer: A Mortal Kombat 3 movie is already in the works with the writer of MK2
• Action-Flix.com: NYCC 2025 UPDATE: MORTAL KOMBAT II Unveils a Featurette as a Third Film is Now in Development!
• HollywoodOutbreak.com: ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Brings Earth’s Greatest Warriors Back To Battle
• Total Film: Mortal Kombat 3 movie in the works with writer of Mortal Kombat 2 returning
• Vital Thrills: Mortal Kombat II Featurette and Third Installment Confirmed
• The Hype Magazine: Mortal Kombat II Brings Earth’s Greatest Warriors Back To Battle