Is Cole Young’s Fate Sealed in Mortal Kombat 2?

by

As a movie critic, I must confess that the Mortal Kombat film series falls short of perfection. The source material itself is problematic, boasting an astonishing gap between perceived complexity and actual depth in video gaming. It might seem like a jumbled mess of popular mythology crammed into a traditional fighting tournament format, but beneath the surface lies a vast tapestry of captivating characters. Regrettably, Cole Young isn’t among these intriguing figures, yet he shares one trait with his counterparts: he stands precariously on the brink of hearing that iconic announcement, “Finish him!

Translating video games into movies can be challenging due to several factors, but one significant hurdle is the genre’s penchant for altering main characters. Since most fighting games feature ensemble casts, it becomes difficult to determine a primary focus for the narrative perspective. For instance, in the “Mortal Kombat” series, characters like Liu Kang, Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and others (varying by game) are central figures. In the first game, a select group of tournament combatants were chosen and continued for the sequel. However, the 2021 film opted to maintain this approach while also introducing a new character as a stand-in for the audience, which may have complicated the storytelling process.

Cole Young Didn’t Make an Impact in Mortal Kombat

Director Simon McQuoid
Screenplay By Greg Russo and Dave Callaham
Story By Oren Uziel and Greg Russo
Starring Lewis Tan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin
Release Date April 23, 2021
Streaming On Hulu and Live TV subscriptions

2021’s Mortal Kombat film introduces a new character, Cole Young, who doesn’t belong to the usual cast of characters from the franchise that has grown over time. Although numerous iconic and lesser-known characters make an appearance, it’s Cole who takes the lead role. Unlike the eclectic mix of genres that define the Mortal Kombat universe, Cole is a more realistic character, adding a modern touch to the combat scenes. He’s an ex-MMA fighter with a disappointing win/loss record and a loving family supporting him. His storyline doesn’t align well with the Mortal Kombat tournament, serving as a means for other characters to explain events to the audience. Essentially, Cole is intended to be the equivalent of Harry Potter or Luke Skywalker in this franchise, a fresh face who helps others understand the plot. However, he falls short compared to other characters, relying on a mediocre superpower and bloodline ties to the franchise’s iconic figure for appeal. The film’s creators hoped nepotism would make Cole popular, but it didn’t resonate with fans, leaving him in an unenviable position as the series prepares for its next round.

Mortal Kombat 2 Images Don’t Depict Cole

Initially, when Warner Bros. released some initial shots for Mortal Kombat 2, viewers noticed that Cole was absent from all of them. Characters like Kitana, Shao Kahn, and Johnny Cage grabbed most of the attention, but it’s worth mentioning that Johnny Cage’s image also includes characters such as Sonya, Jax, and Liu Kang. This has sparked speculation among fans that Cole might meet an early demise in the movie, which could potentially replace the less popular protagonist with the fan-favorite character, Johnny Cage. Death is a significant element in the Mortal Kombat series, and eliminating Cole wouldn’t be the first time they’ve killed off a main character. Liu Kang, for example, has spent a significant portion of his screen time as a revenant, as have many other characters in the franchise. If Cole were to be killed off, it wouldn’t be the most outrageous move Mortal Kombat has made in its film adaptations, but they wouldn’t necessarily need to deliver the finishing blow for it to change Cole’s appeal.

Could Cole Appear in a New Form?

Fans of Mortal Kombat have pondered various alternate personas that Cole Young might embody within the film series. Rather than accepting him as a fresh character, they’ve been quick to assume he is a familiar figure with a different alias. Some think that Cole could adopt the name Kobra, transitioning into the role of the less-remembered Black Dragon henchman from MK: Deception. Swapping an unpopular character for another less favored one appears unusual, but they share similarities as both are MMA fighters, lending some credence to this theory. Others have proposed him as a precursor to Tremor, reasoning that his armor-like chest resembles the dirt ninja’s attire. The most intriguing hypothesis posits that Cole Young could be an anglicized form of Kuai Liang, the second ninja to don the Sub-Zero mantle. In the Mortal Kombat universe, it’s common for the ninja garb to be passed around, and Joe Taslim’s Sub-Zero from the first movie is Bi-Han. Typically, he faces Scorpion’s wrath and passes on the mantle to his younger brother, Kuai Liang. While Cole is a descendant of Hanzo Hasashi, it’s possible that his distant relative could take over as the new Sub-Zero in the current Mortal Kombat 1 timeline, leaving room for the Sub-Zero mantle to be passed on again.

In a simpler and more conversational manner: The character Cole Young wasn’t very memorable in the movie ‘Mortal Kombat’, which presented a challenge for the production team. While getting rid of him might seem like an obvious solution, it’s too straightforward for a series known for its gruesome finishing moves. Instead, transforming Cole into a well-known Mortal Kombat character could win over fans without resorting to his death. Regardless, the Mortal Kombat movies need to address their main issue: How can they protect Earthrealm with Cole on the team?

Read More

2025-03-20 16:26