Mortal Kombat 1 Can’t Repeat Its Homelander Mistake With a New DLC Fighter

by

Mortal Kombat 1 Can't Repeat Its Homelander Mistake With a New DLC Fighter

Highlights

  • Mortal Kombat 1‘s Khaos Reigns DLC expands the story with new fighters, including iconic characters and guest fighters like Ghostface.
  • Some fans are concerned about the voice casting choices for certain characters, especially the decision not to use the original actor’s voice.
  • There is optimism about the potential for Arnold Schwarzenegger to voice Conan the Barbarian in Mortal Kombat 1, despite uncertainties.

As a long-time fan of Mortal Kombat and a connoisseur of iconic voices in Hollywood, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation mixed with a touch of apprehension about the upcoming DLC for Mortal Kombat 1. The addition of new fighters like Ghostface and Conan the Barbarian is exciting, but the echoes of past missteps, particularly the decision not to have Antony Starr voice Homelander in the previous game, linger in the back of my mind.

It has been rumored for months and is now officially verified: “Mortal Kombat 1” will receive a narrative expansion later this year. This DLC, titled “Khaos Reigns,” is scheduled to release on September 24, 2024, and will further develop the storyline introduced in the post-credits scene of “MK1.” In this expansion, Titan Havik aims to disrupt Liu Kang’s newly established timeline.

In addition to fresh story elements, the Khaos Reigns DLC for Mortal Kombat 1 will add six additional characters to the game through a second Kombat Pack. Characters like Cyrax, Sektor, and Noob Saibot will be available at the DLC’s September release, but the three guest fighters – Ghostface from Scream, T-1000 from Terminator 2, and Conan the Barbarian – may require a bit more time to perfect. The overall response to this DLC collection has been quite favorable, although some are concerned that NetherRealm might be repeating a recent error with the inclusion of Conan the Barbarian.

Mortal Kombat 1’s Conan The Barbarian Needs to Avoid a Big Homelander Criticism

Mortal Kombat 1’s Homelander Isn’t Voiced by Antony Starr

When the initial Kombat Pack for Mortal Kombat 1 was officially unveiled, fans cheered at the selection of guest fighters. Characters like Peacemaker from DC, Omni-Man from Invincible, and Homelander from The Boys have remained popular in pop culture for quite some time, which makes them excellent choices for the game’s DLC roster. However, not everything went smoothly.

While J.K. Simmons lent his iconic voice to Mortal Kombat 1‘s Omni-Man, and even John Cena returned to portray Peacemaker, The Boys‘ Antony Starr didn’t voice Homelander. It’s unclear why Starr didn’t end up voicing Homelander in Mortal Kombat 1, but it was certainly something that mired the otherwise solid new addition to the roster. Though Jake Green does a generally good job of impersonating the New Zealand actor, there are one or two moments in which his impression falls a bit flat, and those fleeting moments are enough to break some fans’ immersion. Starr’s portrayal of Homelander has become a defining feature of Amazon’s The Boys, and that notoriety means MK1‘s version of the character was always going to be scrutinized.

Mortal Kombat 1’s Conan The Barbarian Should Be Voiced by Arnold Schwarzenegger

It appears that Mortal Kombat 1 could potentially repeat a similar situation. In a recent conversation with ComicBook, the Chief Creative Officer of NetherRealm, Ed Boon, expressed uncertainty about Arnold Schwarzenegger voicing Conan the Barbarian in Mortal Kombat 1. He stated that there are numerous factors at play and that discussions with Schwarzenegger’s team are ongoing to try and find a suitable solution. Boon ended by expressing hope, saying “fingers crossed.”

Although Chris Cox’s performance as Schwarzenegger’s Terminator in Mortal Kombat 11 was satisfactory, there were instances where it echoed some awkward moments seen in Homelander’s latest Mortal Kombat appearance. Given Arnold Schwarzenegger’s distinctive voice, which is one of the most iconic in Hollywood, any depiction of his characters without him reprising the role can feel a bit unsettling. With Robert Patrick already confirmed to voice MK1’s T-1000, and the original Ghostface modulated voice actor set for Mortal Kombat 1, it would be fantastic if Schwarzenegger could lend his voice once more, this time as Conan the Barbarian.

Read More

2024-08-14 23:13