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Mortal Kombat Rebirth teaser touts star power

[UPDATE] Jeri Ryan sheds light on live-action YouTube clip giving a glimpse at upcoming project in violent fighting franchise, says it's not for a game.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was a commercial hit, but some fans of the Midway fighting franchise balked at the less-than-ultraviolent level of violence in the crossover. That likely won't be a concern with the next big Mortal Kombat project, no matter what form it takes.

A nearly eight-minute-long teaser for "Mortal Kombat: Rebirth" appeared on YouTube today, showing a new live-action interpretation of the franchise with a handful of famous faces in key roles. Most of the clip takes place in a Deacon City police department interrogation room, where Jackson "Jax" Briggs (played by Michael Jai White of Spawn and Black Dynamite fame) is proposing a deal to a prisoner obscured by shadows.

Michael Jai White means business as Jax.

Michael Jai White means business as Jax.

The video also gives new interpretations on the Mortal Kombat mythos, providing a suitably violent fight scene and glimpses of Reptile, Baraka, Johnny Cage, Sonya, and Scorpion. The role of Sonya is played by Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager and Boston Public), while Baraka is given an acrobatic twist by Lateef Crowder (Eddy Gordo in the Tekken movie and the unnamed capoeira fighter from Tony Jaa' s The Protector).

The clip doesn't specify whether it's promoting the next Mortal Kombat game or another film, but the brand is in for a reboot in both media. Creator Ed Boon has said he's working on taking Mortal Kombat 9 back to the series' hyperviolent roots, while reports surfaced earlier this year that Warner Bros. had secured a screenwriter for the next film based on the franchise.

[UPDATE] Hours after the YouTube video began circulating, Jeri Ryan addressed the teaser on her Twitter account.

"It's not a game trailer," the actress said. "Actually was made for the director to sell [Warner Bros.] on his vision for a re-imagined MK film."

Ryan added that she did the clip as a favor for a friend, and doesn't know what the studio's reaction to the short was.

329 Comments

  • thingta42

    Posted Aug 11, 2010 12:12 am GMT

    Yeah it's like Nolens Batman movies, more realistic but still staying true to the character etc. Mortal Kombat Rebirth looks like it can do the same thing and work. More realstic without mystical Ninja's and stuff. But still be a bloody and entertaining movie.

  • dak013

    Posted Aug 3, 2010 4:02 pm GMT

    I don't know about making the characters little more than psycho killers. Their demons and should be able to shoot fireballs.
    It sounds like a weird way to remake MK.

  • score89

    Posted Jun 13, 2010 10:10 pm GMT

    I liked how they twist the Mk universe, as a movie I think it has tons of potential heading in that way, in the videogame department I think they first have to rebuild it in its former style and glory. The trailer reminds me to twisted metal black, decent game with a killer story

  • terriblefood

    Posted Jun 11, 2010 6:52 pm GMT

    Mystery is solved. Collider.com broke the story. Kevin Tancharoen (director of Fame) did this out of pocket partly as fan service, partly to try to convince WB to let him do the next MK movie. Budget was $7500 - and most of us can't do more than build a pair of massive gaming rigs with that money. Personally, I want this to happen.

  • S_Pac_316

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 9:24 pm GMT

    Perhaps I was being a little to harsh...I know that this is not really official. If it does become official, I might take it as an alternate look at the MK universe and be grateful that the games will retain the originals charm.

  • RoboticAids

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 4:54 pm GMT

    You people are reading too much into this 8 min trailer. We will have to wait and see but keep your assumptions to yourself.

  • nishh

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 12:18 pm GMT

    If you don't know the finer details like who the whole cast will be, plot holes, budget etc. Then trailer is looking very good (cough, better then Tekken trailer).
    The game coincide with the film seems like good marketing. The game is finally in 2D style- the way it should have been.
    Lets hope MK meets our expectations.

  • ZippyDSMLee

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 11:36 am GMT

    @amillionhp
    Not what I meant really Soul cab out of all the 3D fighters that use the 3rd D(not in the bust ) is the easiest to have fun with but still more complicated than it needs to be. The last MK game that was all 3D back on the PS2 was a mess because it was a DOA/tekken clone I skipped MK vrs DC it it seemed to be more of the same.

    Anyway what I am getting at is do a SF4 but use the 3D area to fight in you'll have to swap the Dpad for combos and do a god of war style of thing. I would love to see that done. Less complicated 3d fighter more 3rd person one on one brawler.

    Oh and this is the game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8svHIEr19w&feature=player_embedded its like SF4...and tis awesome!

  • lookin_boy

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 9:39 am GMT

    Just no more techno please XD

  • Histeachn

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 8:30 am GMT

    It may be helpful to read this interview with the director of the short:

    http://www.collider.com/2010/06/09/kevin-tancharoen-interview-mortal-kombat-rebirth-feature-film/

    As he mentions in the interview, this was a labor of love made with $7500. To me, that makes this a pretty good short for the buck. Beyond that, the interview speaks for itself on other concerns people have voiced.

  • cajunstrike

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 8:25 am GMT

    @ VarietyMage

    See for yourself:
    http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/wbs-new-mortal-kombat-tests-our-might-in-2011/

  • VarietyMage

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 8:11 am GMT

    When they make the new game, they need to hire a professional anatomy consultant so that they can get some extremely violent but realistic-looking fatalities. Hopefully, it will be better than previous recent MK games. Graphics don't make the game, the gameplay system does. And I want it rated AO. I'm sick of games that are kidded-down; I want games for stable, open-minded adults like myself. You know, exceedingly gory and ultraviolent. "LUDICROUS GIBS!!!"

    As for the movie, they had better employ the best CG artists. MK:A seemed a bit low-budget in the special effects department. Only then will the MK universe be able to reach its full potential story-wise. Souls and sorcery are the life's blood of the MK universe, not to mention creatures like Baraka, Goro, Motaro and Sheeva. If I'm going to pay $10 to see it on the big screen, the characters had better look perfect. No cheesiness allowed.

  • ChiliDragon Site moderator

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 7:49 am GMT

    No Raiden...?

    Then again, if you're not going to do it as pure fantasy you might as well go "realistic" with it. I'm okay with a movie focused entirely on straight forward full-out cage fighting violence.

  • cajunstrike

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 7:03 am GMT

    FYI: Game was just announced...

    http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/wbs-new-mortal-kombat-tests-our-might-in-2011/

  • tatu2004

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 6:27 am GMT

    come on we need it to be a full on movie.

  • musical_au

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 6:23 am GMT

    This pitch looked so much better then the Tekken movie trailer.

  • TheoleDominion

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 5:48 am GMT

    Putting realism in this movie was good, but it's not MK anymore. Better off making this a different movie altogether.

  • DaneGamer

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 5:46 am GMT

    I loved the video! I just think Baraka was kinda stupid looking... but whatever man, it was more "realistic" i guess

    That Scorpion is a main character in this clip got my psyked, cause if it's ever turned into a movie i'd really like to see Scorpion as a main character!!

  • Blank2k2

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 5:24 am GMT

    I loved the video, its about time MK series came back as a more "adult" theme, its become pretty comical in recent years.

    Would really love to see a dark gritty adult orientated MK game or film.

  • bored_gamer

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 5:23 am GMT

    after all the game based adaptations we had lately, why do I get the feeling that this one is gonna suck? Mortal Kombat (the movie) was actually done right and it's probably the only movie to do so

  • chroniclehobbit

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 3:50 am GMT

    MK: Rebirth is actually a short film which adapts the MK universe to realism. As I understand, it is also a pitch to the public. I watched it and it seems pretty awesome to me; Although my friends seem less than enthusiastic. Who knows! They may just go ahead and make it a full feature film anyhow. I wouldn't complain unless it proved to be trash! It doesn't seem that way to me as of this moment. Either way, I figure it has got to be better than annihilation was!

  • S_Pac_316

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 2:52 am GMT

    Well, I don't know...I mean this is a cool looking trailer but I just don't see it as "Mortal Kombat" in anyway possible. Give me the multi-colored Ninja's! Give me Realms! Give me Thunder gods! give me beasts with four arms! MK had that over the top camp-ness to it that gave it it's charm. Now they want to make it look like Saw...with martial arts. I'm sorry...I'll pass.

  • UrbanMessiah

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 1:34 am GMT

    I'm glad their rebooting the series and getting away from the other realms and supernatural characters...it's time for something new. As for the loyal fans that want to keep MK "pure", the fact is they are a small minority and don't represent enough of a fan base to equal a viable source of income. They weren't enough to keep the TV series around for more than one season, they weren't enough to keep the comic book series around and they weren't enough to make the movies a commercial success to keep up with other franchises. Maybe they reboot will bring in new fans...that is if this reimagining is better than the recent reimagining of Street Fighter in theaters, although from the trailer that doesn't seem to be a problem. -=x

  • SDFan18

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 10:34 pm GMT

    This is confirmed to be a new adaptation of the live action movies, and has nothing to do with a new game.

    http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/06/michael-jai-white-does-mortal-kombat.php

  • Neosonic23

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 10:21 pm GMT

    I wanted New Line Cinema to pick up the Franchise again. I hope WB does a better job.

  • Henninger

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 9:49 pm GMT

    Im sorry but this just doesnt get me hyped up 2 c this movie. Mortal Kombat wuz all about the other realms & characters with amazing powers. If u turn this setting in2 real world settings, u could lose a lot of the fan base thats still left supporting Mortal Kombat till they're last breath. Im sorry but i really dont like the idea of Reptile being a normal human being with a rare disease. I dont like Baraka being a deranged human with blades surgically implanted in his arms (which if u wanna go by the whole real life settings wouldnt happen cuz infection would kill him). The only character in that trailer that looked promising wuz Scorpion cuz he used wut looked like a grappling device as his spear. That & tha fact that Michael Jai White is playing Jax r the only things i liked about that trailer. Im really skeptical about this.

  • TigerGuy06

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 8:29 pm GMT

    This looks sick. Intrigued by the whole re-imaging of the series. Michael Jai White was awesome as Jax.

  • Jedilink109

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 7:20 pm GMT

    This 7 minute "trailer".........equals AWESOME. I'm excited for this one now.

  • lookin_boy

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 5:15 pm GMT

    Midway's dead but MK lives on... I like it. This is America's original fighter that many youngsters don't know gave Street Fighter a run for it's money for almost two decades. Finish It!

  • burnout_toreach

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 5:02 pm GMT

    Warner Bros better pick this up and make it a movie and the game better be as dark, disturbing and freakin' awesome.

    This is one hell of a wake up call for Mortal Kombat and it better happen!

  • Wej_accept_it

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 4:54 pm GMT

    What they need to do is AVOID all the CG and wire-fu crap in other fight movies. This fight scene in this was choreographed by Larnell Stovall, who recently worked on the awesome Undisputed 3. Look up the fight clips on youtube, its incrediable.
    If they can keep this realistic and intense with real screen-fighting talent (like White and Crowder) it'll be the Mortal Kombat movie you always wanted, but never had.

  • quaddrag500

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 4:33 pm GMT

    OMFG they better come out with this move....looks so bad a$$

  • TrueIori

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 2:50 pm GMT

    all they need to do is the Last airbender special effects+gore and that how you make a good mortal kombat movie.

  • lilflex1

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 2:45 pm GMT

    how the trailor looks if its a game scorpion might be the playable charactor similair to sub-zero motholigies.

  • PixelAddict

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 2:33 pm GMT

    Back in college, Mortal Combat caught my (and my flatmates') complete attention (and countless hours) because of the brutal gameplay and semi-photo-realistic graphics.

    I think there is room once again in the videogame fighter space for a hyper-photo-realistic fighter. I'd go for it.

  • phantom1593

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 2:28 pm GMT

    Its hard to get used to Scorpion being the good guy. I always considered Sub-Zero as the good guy and Scorpion as a villain...

  • funkymonkey4710

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 1:52 pm GMT

    Seriously though I really like this dark twist on the Mortal Kombat Universe... no parallel realms or other worlds. Just lunatics who alter their body and serial killers. I want to see how they explain Sub-Zero, Shang Tsung, Jax's Metal Arms.. if they are even included in the story.

  • GrLeviathan

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 1:36 pm GMT

    just a self-prom!disapointment bravo to the director,hope it works.but i needed a game.

  • Pibet

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 1:26 pm GMT

    The teaser trailer looks ultraviolent with a somewhat realistic twist on the series. I hope they do the game with the same actors istead of computer characters, like the original MK.

  • Wakasenshi

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 1:18 pm GMT

    Looks like it could be a half decent movie.

  • WR_Platinum

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 12:24 pm GMT

    MORTAL KOMBAAAAAT!!!! =D

  • RaccoonChump

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 12:11 pm GMT

    I love Scorpion!

  • funkymonkey4710

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 12:01 pm GMT

    This is obviously a advert for the Movie coming out! I would go a see it! Seemed interesting!

  • otanikun

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 12:00 pm GMT

    Now that is just plain awesome, absolutely cannot wait for this new game!

  • aleks_989

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 11:50 am GMT

    Well, it was a movie...I mean so many actors would't have done this with this kind of presentation only for a game...))...however I hope they are considering it to make a game for the PC too...hope they won't be selfish......

  • shkar

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 11:31 am GMT

    Seriously ,,,MK needs a violent rebirth in both the GAME and the MOVIE genre....

  • lexluis

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 11:16 am GMT

    Yeah! Mortal Kombat is coming back

  • faithxvoid

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 11:13 am GMT

    This is not a trailer for a game. This was a short created so that Kevin Tancharoen could attempt to pitch his new vision of MK to Warner Brothers. If WB picks up this movie, there's a chance that none of the actors we see here will be in the actual movie. The good news is if WB does pick this up, then we will all finally get the rated-R MK movie that we wanted to happen 15 years ago.

  • JLMRacing

    Posted Jun 9, 2010 11:02 am GMT

    FLAWLESS

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