Get ready for another round! The director of the Mortal Kombat reboot sequel is already thinking about what comes next. Simon McQuoid, who helmed both the 2021 reboot and its 2026 follow-up, Mortal Kombat II, has broken his silence on the potential for a third film. As the new movie hits theaters, McQuoid is keeping his options open but clearly has big plans for the franchise.
Mortal Kombat II roared into theaters this past weekend, delivering a solid opening with nearly $65 million worldwide. While its international numbers lag a bit behind the domestic haul, the film's strong start has fans already wondering if a trilogy is in the cards. McQuoid, speaking to Entertainment Weekly, shared his thoughts on the future. “We knew how we were ending this film,” he said. “You don’t want to be overly confident. I never want to be cocky about how anything’s going to land or play. You think about it, and you theorize it. So I guess I’m still in that mode where it hasn’t even come out yet. Ask me after May 8.”
But the director didn't stop there. He later offered a more definitive glimpse into his vision for a third installment. “There’s so much to draw from, and that’s both overwhelming and really exciting. There’s always a ‘What about that character?’ It never really stops.” That endless well of source material—spanning decades of games, lore, and fan-favorite fighters—suggests McQuoid is already mapping out potential storylines for Mortal Kombat III.
A Sequel That Delivers
The 2026 sequel brings back much of the original cast, including Mehcad Brooks, Jessica McNamee, Ludi Lin, Josh Lawson, Lewis Tan, and Shōgun stars Tadanobu Asano and Hiroyuki Sanada. Newcomers Karl Urban and Adeline Rudolph step into the iconic roles of Johnny Cage and Kitana, respectively. The film has earned a 65% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and a stellar 90% audience score, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor. In his review, Collider's Aidan Kelley praised the movie but noted that the 1995 Paul W.S. Anderson adaptation remains the franchise's gold standard.
The sequel faced stiff competition at the box office, going up against the long-awaited The Devil Wears Prada 2 and the record-breaking Michael Jackson biopic Michael. Despite that, Mortal Kombat II held its own, proving the franchise still has plenty of fight left.
What's Next for the Franchise?
With a strong opening and positive audience reception, the path to Mortal Kombat III seems wide open. McQuoid's comments suggest he's already thinking about which characters and storylines could be explored next. For fans of dark fantasy and martial arts mayhem, the future looks bright. If you're craving more fantasy action, check out our list of Forgotten Gems: 7 Dark Fantasy Movies That Deserve More Love or dive into The 2010s Gave Us Only 5 True Fantasy Masterpieces—Here They Are.
Mortal Kombat II is now playing in theaters. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on the franchise and all things entertainment.
