Summary
Mortal Kombat 11andMortal Kombat 1are both premium fighting games from NetherRealm that channel the longstanding legacy and mythology of theMKuniverse while putting a new spin on it. However, they also both included elements that stirred controversy within the fanbase. One major character decision made in both games brought the wrong kind of attention: the celebrity castings inMK11andMortal Kombat 1.
Specifically, the celebrity actors that were cast to play existingMKcharacters. This controversy arose inMortal Kombat 11when Ronda Rousey was cast to play Sonya Blade. This decision was not received well, yet the scenario repeated itself in the following game. InMK1, Megan Foxwas cast to play Nitara,and again it did not go over very well. Moving forward, it would be wise forMortal Kombatto consider alternative casting decisions.
Why Mortal Kombat Should Avoid Well-Known Actors
The Characters Speak For Themselves
TheMortal Kombatuniverse is one of the most unique among all popular fighting games. It contains a rich mythology and deep lore that intertwines the lives of each character in the series. After 32 years,Mortal Kombatcharactershave become some of the most recognizable in gaming, and players are interested in taking control of these characters. At times, casting an actor who is too well-known can detract from the unique qualities of the character and take players out of the immersion into the universe.
That’s not to say that casting a popular actor is always necessarily wrong. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa’s Shang Tsung, for example, was fitting as he played the character in the1995Mortal Kombatfilm. Many other excellent actors could playMKcharacters extremely well, but it can be jarring for fans when a major celebrity takes up the mantle of an established character for the first time in a new game.
NetherRealm approached this in a potentially successful way with optional character swaps like Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Johnny Cage inMK1, but Nitara’s casting overshadowed this.
Mortal Kombat Needs To Return To Its Roots
TheMortal Kombatgameshave always been riddled with controversy since the very first game, but it was usually due to the violence and gore.MK11andMK1are still incredible games, but the recent direction has divided fans and caused disarray in the community.MK1’s promise of a fresh start didn’t quite turn out the way it could have, and looking back at classic games to decide what should be included in the future might be the best way to move forward.
There is a multitude of incredible voice-over artists that have worked onMortal Kombatover the years and many more that would be excellent in future games. Choosing the right talent to portrayMortal Kombatfighterscan make or break the gameplay experience and avoiding any controversial decisions moving forward would be ideal for the franchise, even if NetherRealm had hopeful ambitions when casting seemingly random celebrities.
Mortal Kombat 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
