Brace yourselves, Mortal Kombat fans! The iconic franchise is almost back with a new installment, Mortal Kombat 1, and it’s set to level up the legacy it has carefully crafted since the early ’90s. But that’s not even the juiciest part. The WWE legend and Hollywood stalwart Dave Bautista has leaped into the game’s universe, and you better believe he’s coming in hot.
You may know Dave Bautista for his tenure in WWE as Batista, or maybe as Drax the Destroyer in the Guardians of the Galaxy series. Now, in a rather seamless transition, Bautista stars in the latest live-action trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, not as a hard-hitting wrestler or a revenge-seeking alien but as a librarian who transforms into a potentate of combat. It’s a departure from his previous roles but one that immediately clicked given Bautista’s rich background in combat sports and acting.
Mind you, this trailer isn’t your run-of-the-mill sneak peek; it’s a nostalgia-laden homage to the classic Mortal Monday commercial from 1993. Remember those days when a teen screaming Mortal Kombat could make you throw 50 bucks at the nearest game store? This reimagined trailer also ramps up the cinematic experience by ten-fold.
Shot by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Matthew Libatique and directed by Tom Kuntz, Bautista rallies an army in varied locales – from coffee shops to symphony orchestras – echoing Liu Kang’s role in the game, who’s since become a deity following the events of Mortal Kombat 11.
And Bautista’s not just winging it; he’s a dyed-in-the-wool fan, saying:
I vividly remember the original Mortal Monday commercial, especially the iconic scream. That’s what started my journey as a fan of Mortal Kombat.
NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games knew exactly what they were doing when they got him on board.
However, let’s cut to the chase: What can we expect from the actual game? Mortal Kombat 1 marks the franchise’s 25th game, slated to release on September 14 for early access and September 19 for the full launch. This installation promises not just a fanboy moment but also a revolutionary gaming experience. It follows the events of Mortal Kombat 11, where the presumed canon event is Liu Kang successfully reboots the entire universe, setting the stage for an entirely fresh, yet nostalgically familiar Mortal Kombat world – Scorpion and Sub-Zero are brothers in this game, by the way.
Mortal Kombat 1 features a smorgasbord of characters that will make any Mortal Kombat aficionado drool: Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Johnny Cage, and a whole slew of other iconic characters. Even some unexpected crossover characters like Peacemaker from Suicide Squad and Homelander from the Amazon show The Boys make their way into the roster.
From the looks of it, Mortal Kombat 1 is shaping up to be a game that pays its respects to its rich history while carving out new paths for both its narrative and its players. With marketing stunts like the one featuring Dave Bautista leading its foray into the cultural zeitgeist yet again, this installment seems destined to be another blockbuster.
Whether you’re new to the series or one of the old guards, Mortal Kombat 1 looks ready to deliver an experience that’s nothing short of a flawless victory.
So mark your calendars, sharpen your skills, and ready your consoles. Mortal Kombat is returning, and it’s going to be more legendary than ever.
Speaking of NetherRealm Studios, the studio recently revealed that it’s open to working on a Marvel vs. DC crossover fighting game. But, if you ask fans, they’d very much prefer to see a Bloody Roar reboot instead.
