Five Mortal Kombat Characters That Would Be Cool To See In The 2021 Movie But Probably Won T Make

Alright, so you just sat through the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie. Pretty wild, right? Lots of punching, kicking, and surprisingly good CGI for Goro's… well, everything. It was a decent time, but as you’re wiping the sweat from your brow after all that virtual kombat, you can’t help but think: "Who else could have been in this?!"

The movie did a pretty solid job of bringing some of the OGs to life, and hey, Cole Young was… a character. But the Mortal Kombat universe is like a buffet of awesome, and this movie only picked a few plates. So, let's grab a virtual soda, settle back, and imagine some absolute legends who would have killed it on the big screen in 2021, even if we know, deep down, they probably won’t. It’s okay to dream, folks! This is our happy place.

The Dreamers: Five Kombatants Who Missed the 2021 Cut (But Shouldn't Have!)

Seriously, the roster is HUGE. It’s like trying to pick your favorite Skittles – so many delicious possibilities! The 2021 film focused heavily on introducing us to the new guy (bless his heart) and setting up future conflicts. But sometimes, you just gotta go with the tried and true, the icons, the ones who make you go “OH YEAH!”

So, without further ado, let's dive into the digital abyss and pull out five characters who, in my humble, popcorn-munching opinion, would have been absolute electrifying additions to the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie. Prepare for some serious wishful thinking, because this is where we let our imaginations run wild!

1. Johnny Cage: The Missing Star Power (Literally)

Okay, this one is the most obvious, right? It's like forgetting to put cheese on a pizza. Johnny Cage. The cocky, wisecracking action star who literally has a movie within the game. His absence was… noticeable. We got some nods, sure, some veiled references, but no actual Johnny Cage in the flesh, ready to do his signature split and uppercut someone into next week?

Think about it! He’s the perfect character to inject some much-needed humor and meta-commentary into the film. Imagine him strutting onto the scene, totally oblivious to the actual danger, thinking it’s all a movie shoot. He’d be making quips at Scorpion, trying to get Liu Kang to do a scene with him, and probably trying to sell his own action figures mid-fight. It would have been comedic gold, a breath of fresh air amidst all the grim seriousness.

Plus, his fighting style? The Green Vanish, the Shadow Kick, the nut punch (which, let's be honest, is an iconic Mortal Kombat move). Seeing that brought to life with modern CGI and choreography? Chefs kiss! It would have been a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, the kind of character that makes you want to high-five the person next to you, even if you don't know them. He's the guy who makes a Mortal Kombat movie feel like a Mortal Kombat movie, ya know?

The excuse they’ll probably give is that they wanted to build up to him, save his reveal for a sequel. And that’s fine, I guess. But a little bit of Johnny Cage early on would have been like a shot of pure adrenaline for fans. He’s the missing piece of the puzzle, the sprinkle on top of the delicious Mortal Kombat sundae. We deserved more Cage, and the 2021 movie… well, it left us wanting. So much wanting.

2. Ermac: The Soul-Collecting Specter of Awesome

Now, if we're talking visually striking and a truly unique fighting style, Ermac is right up there. This dude is literally a collective of souls bound together into one being. How is that not in the movie? We’re talking about a character with immense potential for terrifying and visually stunning set pieces. Imagine him absorbing the life force of his opponents, his body contorting and shifting as more souls join his ranks.

The 2021 movie gave us some cool elemental powers and brutal fatalities, but Ermac’s telekinetic abilities and his… well, his soul-ness would have brought a whole different level of creepy, magical warfare. He could have been a major antagonist, a force that even the most skilled kombatants struggle to comprehend. Think about him manipulating the environment, pulling debris from nowhere, and just generally being a spectral nightmare.

And the lore! Ermac’s story is all about redemption, about trying to control the cacophony of voices within him. That’s some juicy character development fodder right there. He’s not just a bad guy; he’s a tragic figure, a walking, talking (or rather, whispering) testament to the dark magic of Outworld. He could have provided a fantastic foil for Raiden or Liu Kang, someone wrestling with their own inner demons while facing a literal army of them.

We got Shao Kahn’s brutish presence, which is great, but Ermac brings a more nuanced, unsettling horror. He's the kind of character that makes you lean forward in your seat, wondering what horrifying manifestation is going to pop out of him next. The visual potential alone is staggering. They could have done so much with his spectral form, his soul manipulation. It’s a shame he was left on the sidelines, probably contemplating the existential dread of being a thousand people at once.

3. Kitana: The Princess with a Pointy Problem (and a Ton of Appeal)

Okay, I know, I know. Some of you are thinking, "But she's a pretty popular character!" And you're right. But hear me out. While we got some glimpses of Outworld's royalty, the true, iconic Kitana, the Edenian princess with the razor-sharp fans, felt… missing. We saw her influence, but not her direct, fan-flinging fury.

Kitana is more than just a pretty face with weapons. She’s got a complex backstory, a deep-seated loyalty, and a fighting style that is both elegant and deadly. Her fans are iconic! Imagine those whirling blades slicing through the air, deflecting attacks, and delivering devastating blows. That’s cinematic perfection right there!

She’s also a fantastic character to explore the political machinations of Outworld. She’s a princess betrayed, a warrior seeking justice, and a symbol of resistance. She could have been a formidable ally to Earthrealm, a powerful force to be reckoned with, or even a compelling antagonist if they wanted to explore her brainwashing by Shao Kahn more deeply. Her dynamic with Liu Kang is also a HUGE part of the Mortal Kombat lore, and their potential on-screen chemistry, both in combat and in character development, was a missed opportunity.

Instead, we got… well, we got what we got. It felt like they were holding back some of their biggest guns, and Kitana, with her regal bearing and deadly grace, is definitely one of them. I can picture her now, her fans glinting in the arena lights, taking down multiple opponents with fluid, deadly precision. A true queen of the tournament, and her absence was a definite royal oversight.

4. Quan Chi: The Sorcerer of Shenanigans

If you want to talk about pure, unadulterated villainy and magical menace, you can't overlook Quan Chi. This sorcerer is the architect of so much evil in the Mortal Kombat universe. He’s the puppet master, the one pulling the strings from the shadows, and his brand of dark magic is just begging to be brought to the big screen.

We had Shang Tsung, and he was… well, he was Shang Tsung. But Quan Chi brings a different flavor of wickedness. He’s cunning, manipulative, and his spells are seriously impressive. Imagine him conjuring demons, teleporting enemies, or even raising the dead to fight for him. The visual possibilities are endless, and frankly, terrifying.

His motives are also deliciously complex. He’s not just about conquest; he’s about power, about exploiting weaknesses, and about sowing discord. He could have been the perfect foil for Raiden, a direct spiritual and magical adversary. Their clashes would have been legendary, a battle of divine light versus infernal darkness.

And the fatalities! Quan Chi has some of the most gruesome and creative finishers in the series. Seeing him unleash his signature moves on the big screen would have been a treat for gorehounds and lore enthusiasts alike. He’s the kind of villain that makes you love to hate him, the one you cheer when he finally gets his comeuppance. His absence left a void in the magical villain department, a sorcerer-shaped hole that was definitely felt.

5. Reptile: The Hungry, Scaly Shadow

Okay, this one is for all the OG fans, the ones who remember the days of arcade cabinets and questionable voice acting. Reptile. The mysterious, lizard-like assassin. We got a little taste of him in the 2021 film, a brief, blurry glimpse, but honestly, it felt like a tease. We needed more of that reptilian rampage!

Reptile is all about stealth, agility, and, of course, that iconic acid spit. Imagine him slithering out of the shadows, his eyes glowing, ready to pounce. He’s the hunter, the predator, and his fighting style is a brutal blend of martial arts and animalistic ferocity. He could have been an incredible physical threat, a character who embodies the primal dangers of Outworld.

His transformation abilities, his acid attacks, his sheer speed and unpredictability – these are all visual feast opportunities that the 2021 movie seemed to gloss over. We saw Scorpion's hellfire and Sub-Zero's ice, but Reptile’s acid-based attacks and his shadowy movements would have added a unique visual dimension to the fights. He’s the creature feature element that Mortal Kombat does so well, and he was criminally underutilized.

Plus, the mystery surrounding him! Is he human? Is he something else? The lingering questions about his nature only add to his allure. He’s the silent, deadly threat that lurks just out of sight, and that kind of tension is gold. A full-blown Reptile appearance, showcasing his unique abilities and his savage fighting style, would have been a fan-favorite moment, no doubt about it.

So there you have it. Five characters who, in my humble opinion, would have elevated the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie from "pretty good" to "absolutely legendary." It’s easy to get lost in the lore and the possibilities, isn't it? The Mortal Kombat universe is a treasure trove of iconic fighters, each with their own unique style, story, and special moves just waiting to be unleashed on the silver screen.

While the 2021 movie gave us a solid foundation, it left so many doors open for future installments. And honestly? That’s exciting! The fact that there are so many more amazing characters to explore means the Mortal Kombat franchise has a bright, brutal future ahead. So, let’s raise a glass (or a glowing orb of souls) to the potential of what’s to come. Who knows, maybe in the next movie, we’ll finally get all our favorites. Until then, keep those virtual fists clenched and those fatalities practiced!