Mortal Kombat isn’t waiting for the bell to ring. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have already set Mortal Kombat III in motion, with screenwriter Jeremy Slater actively writing the script—even before Mortal Kombat II reaches theaters.
The news broke during a lively New York Comic Con panel on October 11, where Slater joined director Simon McQuoid and cast members to tease what’s next. Karl Urban is stepping into the spotlight as Johnny Cage, with Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, Tati Gabrielle as Jade, and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn. Slater said the studios’ confidence in the sequel—and the size of the fanbase—convinced them to move ahead with a third film early.
That confidence is easy to understand. Mortal Kombat remains one of the best-selling video game franchises ever, passing 100 million copies since its 1992 debut. Recent entries have kept the momentum going: Mortal Kombat X sold around 12 million, Mortal Kombat 11 hit 15 million, and 2023’s Mortal Kombat 1 has already cleared 5 million.
Slater, who wrote Mortal Kombat II and serves as an executive producer, brings a resume packed with major titles. His credits include the 2015 Fantastic Four reboot, Netflix’s 2017 Death Note adaptation, contributions to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and a turn as head writer on the Disney+ series Moon Knight.
Mortal Kombat II lands on May 15, 2026, with returning faces and newcomers alike. Alongside Urban’s Johnny Cage, the cast features Desmond Chiam as King Jerrod, Damon Herriman as Quan Chi, Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel, and CJ Bloomfield as Baraka.
Story details for Mortal Kombat III are still under wraps, but the early greenlight signals a long-term plan for the franchise. The films have a track record at the box office, too. The 1995 original earned $122.1 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, while 1997’s Mortal Kombat: Annihilation brought in $51.3 million on $30 million. Combined with the 2021 reboot, the series’ theatrical runs have totaled about $257 million globally.
With the sequel dated, a stacked roster of fan-favorite fighters, and a third film already being scripted, Mortal Kombat’s cinematic universe looks primed for another round. Finish him? Not yet—the saga is just getting warmed up.
