Breaking: Mortal Kombat 3 Script in Final Draft Stage
The writer of the Mortal Kombat film series, Jeremy Slater, has revealed he is nearly finished with a new draft of the script for a potential third movie. However, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have not officially greenlit Mortal Kombat 3, despite the massive box office success of Mortal Kombat 2, currently in theaters.
Slater told Entertainment Weekly: "I never want to be cocky about how anything's going to land or play. You think about it, and you theorize it." He added that the new draft is complete, should the studio decide to move forward.
Director Cautious, Studio Mum
Director Simon McQuoid, who helmed the first two films, previously stated he does not want to be "overly confident" about a third entry. Speaking ahead of Mortal Kombat 2's release on May 8, McQuoid emphasized the need to wait for audience reception and studio decisions.
Neither Warner Bros. nor New Line have issued an official statement regarding Mortal Kombat 3. The lack of confirmation stands in contrast to the film's strong box office performance, which has already grossed over $200 million globally.
Background
The Mortal Kombat film franchise rebooted in 2021 with a gritty, R-rated adaptation. The first movie earned $84 million worldwide despite a pandemic-era release. Its sequel, Mortal Kombat 2 (subtitled Annihilation in early marketing), expanded the roster of fighters and introduced classic characters like Johnny Cage and Kitana.
Jeremy Slater, known for Moon Knight and The Exorcist TV series, was brought back as writer after the success of the first film. He previously indicated that a trilogy arc was planned from the start, with the second film ending on a cliffhanger setting up a third chapter.
Box Office Momentum Builds
Mortal Kombat 2 opened to $58 million in its first weekend in the U.S., the second-biggest opening for a video game adaptation behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie. International markets have added another $140 million, pushing the total past $200 million within two weeks.
Analysts believe a third film is highly likely given these numbers, but the studio has historically been cautious with franchise expansions, waiting for complete creative alignment.
What This Means
The completion of Slater's script signals that creative groundwork is laid for an immediate start of pre-production. If New Line greenlights the film within the next few months, Mortal Kombat 3 could begin filming as early as late 2025, targeting a 2027 release.
Industry insiders suggest Slater's draft includes major plot points from the Mortal Kombat video games, including the tournament's shattering of realms and the introduction of fan-favorite characters like Noob Saibot and Sindel. The script is said to complete a trilogy arc that began with the first film's world-building.
For now, fans must wait for official confirmation. In the meantime, Slater encourages optimism: "We've built something special. The story deserves a proper conclusion."
Continue reading the original report on GameSpot for full details.