In 2021, Warner Bros. Pictures and NetherRealm released the first live-action Mortal Kombat movie in 24 years, and while it was praised by audiences, there was one complaint that kept sticking out: Cole Young. A wholly original character created just for the film, he was derided for overshadowing the rest of the roster and having literal plot armor.
However, in a new interview with Comicbook.com, series creator Ed Boon revealed that Cole Young almost made it into the games.
"When we were making Mortal Kombat 1, the last game we did, we had these fighters, these assist fighters called kameo fighters, and for a time we were talking about freaking everybody out and doing a Cole Young kameo fighter in the game just to kind of connect the games and the films together," Ed Boon explained. "But then we ran out of time, we had to start the next game, and then it just never happened."
What "Next Game" Is Ed Boon Teasing?
As for what "the next game" might be, while some have taken Ed Boon's comment as a hint to a new Mortal Kombat, it's widely believed that NetherRealm is actually working on Injustice 3.
At a recent convention, Superman actor George Newbern allegedly confirmed outright that he's working on the sequel, while reliable Warner Bros. gaming leaker multiversusie made a very obvious hint to the game in 2025 when they posted, "multiversus shutting down is an injustice, then doing it all again is another injustice. leaving me without any leaks again is yet another injustice."
Ed Boon even said in 2023 that the team plans to go back to Injustice after the launch of Mortal Kombat 1.
In hindsight, NetherRealm may have dodged a bullet, considering the heat that Mortal Kombat 1 was already under for its lackluster launch and aggressive MTX practices. Adding one of the most hated characters in the franchise, when fan-favorites like Jade were sorely missing, would have undoubtedly ratcheted up the backlash. Thankfully, it's hard to imagine Cole Young stealing a spot in a new Injustice game.
Mortal Kombat 1
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 19, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- NetherRealm Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Brothers Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
