Confirming earlier theories, Mortal Kombat 1’s story director, Dominic Cianciolo, dropped a bomb at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Most notably, the character known as Scorpion, the franchise’s face since 1992, isn’t Hanzo Hazashi as previously known. Instead, it will be played by Kuai Liang.
The fiery, yellow-clad ninja has always been an embodiment of revenge, having been resurrected by the sorcerer Quan Chi to enact vengeance on his rival, Bi-Han, aka Sub-Zero, following the destruction of his family and clan. However, in game’s new timeline, Scorpion and Sub-Zero are no longer deadly rivals but brothers within the Lin Kuei clan.
This transformation traces back to the significant alteration of the Mortal Kombat timeline by Liu Kang at the end of Mortal Kombat 11, which has birthed a parallel universe with a completely different character dynamic. The decision to reboot the storyline, as stated by NetherRealm’s story director, was a deliberate attempt to surprise players and introduce a novel and unique experience. The studio is unapologetically not shying away from altering the existing lore, with co-creator Ed Boon expressing their intention to “drop a nuke” on the story of the new game.
In the same interview with IGN, amidst discussions about the revamped relationships among the playable members of the Lin Kuei, Cianciolo subtly slipped that Scorpion is indeed Kuai Liang, thus confirming fan theories floating since the game’s announcement. This surprising reveal stemmed from Cianciolo’s discussion of Smoke, another character from the series, is him as an adopted brother to both Scorpion and Sub-Zero. His statement implied an intensified conflict and deepened relationships among the trio.
This revelation has prompted fans to question the fate of Hanzo Hazashi, the original Scorpion, within the new era. Theories suggest that Smoke might play Hanzo’s role in Mortal Kombat 1, paralleling the original Scorpion’s backstory. Like Hanzo, his family was annihilated by the Lin Kuei, albeit seemingly by accident, leading to his adoption and upbringing alongside Scorpion and Sub-Zero. The evolution of this family dynamic within the Lin Kuei clan and the potential friction between the brothers is a riveting prospect for the game’s narrative.
This twist in the Scorpion-Sub-Zero relationship, which turns bitter enemies into brothers, extends to other characters. Liu Kang and Raidon have quite literally switched roles, with Liu Kang now the God and Raidon the more common figure. Such shifts inject a fresh narrative layer into the game, underlining the dramatic reinvention of the Mortal Kombat universe.
This announcement, while disorienting for traditional fans, promises an exciting new narrative journey. Despite the initial confusion sparked by the character switch-up, anticipation for Mortal Kombat 1’s timeline reset is building. NetherRealm’s bold decision to deviate from the familiar, replacing Hanzo Hasashi’s rivalry with a brotherly tension between Bi-Han and Kuai Liang, represents a welcome novelty for fans.
Nevertheless, lingering questions remain about how Kuai Liang acquired fire powers instead of his usual ice abilities, and what the storyline implies for Hanzo Hazashi. Further clarity is expected with the upcoming game’s launch on September 14. In the meantime, the studio continues to tease fans, recently announcing the included characters as part of the game’s first DLC, highlighted by Omni Man, Homelander, and Peacemaker.
Every recent Mortal Kombat game has had an expansive roster, and Mortal Kombat 1 shouldn’t be different. We’re curious to see who’s going to be who in the upcoming reboot, and we’re jealous of those who pre-ordered the game who’ll find out for themselves soon enough.
