Fans are onlya few weeks awayfrom one of the most highly anticipated live-action video game movie reboots of all time.Mortal Kombat,the iconic, brutally gory fighting franchise,reboots itself on the big screen (outdated tropes and all)on April 23rd. This isn’t the first time the heroes of Earthrealm have defended the planet in the legendary fighting tournament in a movie, however.
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Hollywood took full advantage at the peak ofMortal Kombat’sinitial video game run, releasing the first live-action movie based on the franchise 26 years ago in 1995. The original film performed very well. The seamless casting of fan-favorite characters added a layer of realism to the storyline, with many fans still associating those performers with theirMortal Kombatroles. They’ve done a lot since, though!
10Bridgette Wilson-Sampras: Sonya Blade
26 years ago, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras (known as Bridgette Wilson back then), burst onto the Hollywood sceneplaying military powerhouse Sonya Blade. Determined to find her partner’s killer, Kano, Wilson-Sampras brought a huge gravitas to the Sonya Blade character. 1995 was a big year for Wilson-Sampras, as fans may also remember her playing third-grade teacher Veronica Vaughn in the Adam Sandler ClassicBilly Madison.
In 2008 she married pro tennis player Pete Sampras, with the couple now having two children together. 2008 was also the last time we’d see the 47-year-old on the big screen, as she played her most recent movie role in the filmPhantom Punch. Much to the pleasure of franchise fans, she did end up recast as the voice of Sony Blade forMortal Kombat 11:her first time being associated with the role since the mid-90s.
9Christopher Lambert: Lord Raiden
As one of the marquee names attached to the film, fans in 1995 were excited to see Christopher Lambert playing the role of the Thunder God himself, Lord Raiden. Best known at the time for his 1986 role in the fantasy/adventure filmHighlander(opposite the late Sean Connery), Lambert brought a sense of legitimacy to the film. His quiet and coy, yet powerful, portrayal of the protector of Earthrealm rang true to what fans expected from the fighting franchise.
Lambert has maintained a steady stream of acting credits since his portrayal of Raiden, including aHighlandersequel in 2000, a recurring role onNCIS: Los Angeles, and playing Methodius in the Nicholas Cage and Idris Elba filmGhostrider: Spirit of Vengeancein 2011.
8Robin Shou: Liu Kang
Mortal Kombat’sleading man, Robin Shou, played the role of Shaolin monk Liu Kang in the 1995 film. AsMortal Kombat’sprotagonist and the defender of Earthrealm, Shou was not only required to show off his skills as a martial artist, but needed to prove his acting chops were up to par.Mortal Kombatwas Shou’s first Hollywood big screen debut.
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Shou reprised his role in the film’s sequel,Mortal Kombat:Annihilation(1997).In the years since, he has also appeared in the fighting game film adaptationsDOA: Dead or Alivein 2006,Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Liin 2009, and as 14K in three of theDeath Racefilms. Shou also provided martial arts training for Milla Jovovich for her role inResident Evil 4: Retributionin 2012 (as Jovovich herself stated on Twitter in August 2011).
7Linden Ashby: Johnny Cage
What’s a good movie without a bit of comedy? That’s wherefan-favorite Hollywood star Johnny Cagecomes in. Known by some at the time for his smaller appearances onMelrose PlaceandMacGyver, Linden Ashby gave his all in his portrayal of the cocky action-movie star looking to prove himself as a legitimate martial artist. Ashby provided comic relief through Johnny’s arrogant persona, but was still able to present the character’s deep internal struggle to prove his worth as a fighter.
Ashby’s performance inMortal Kombatset him on a successful and steady path of work in Hollywood, including roles as the Commander in 2013’sIron Man 3, Sheriff Noah Stillinski in 88 episodes ofTeen Wolffrom 2011-2017, and recurring roles inThe Young and the RestlessandDays of Our Lives.Ashby also voiced the Johnny Cage character inMortal Kombat 11.
6Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa: Shang Tsung
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa played thedemonic, shape-shifting sorcerer and antagonist, Shang Tsung. In a role where he was portrayed a lot younger than his character in the first game, Tagawa’s Shang Tsung is still a strong fan-favorite, serving as inspiration for later Shang Tsung iterations. Tagawa even reprised the role for the 2013 web seriesMortal Kombat: Legacy.
Tagawa has tackled a ton of voice-acting gigs sinceMortal Kombat,includingKubo and the Two Strings (2016), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2016), Star Wars Rebels (2017),andTeen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006).Fansmay also recognize him from roles in bigger films likePearl Harborin 2001, andMemoirs of a Geishain 2005. His latest filmReagan,an autobiographical piece on the former U.S. President, is slated for a 2022 release.
5Talisa Soto: Princess Kitana
Princess Kitana, the princess of Outworld, and adopted daughter of the emperor Shao Khan, played a major role in the 1995 motion picture (despite the fact that she wasn’t a playable character in the original game). Played by Talisa Soto, Kitana was a pivotal character in the success of Earthrealm’s warriors at theMortal Kombattournament.
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She reprised her role as Kitana inMortal Kombat Annihilation (1997),and would go on to take select roles in movies and television over the next decade, including the filmBallistic: Ecks vs Severin 2002 with Lucy Liu and Antonio Banderas. She’s currently married to Hollywood actor Benjamin Bratt, who fans may recognize fromMiss Congeniality(2000),Ride Along 2(2016), andDoctor Strange(2016).
4Trevor Goddard: Kano
Trevor Goddard took on the role of Australian mercenary and Black Dragon cartel member, Kano. Goddard found success in Hollywood before and afterMortal Kombat,including roles in films likeGone in 60 Seconds(2000), andPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl(2003).
He also had a regular role on crime television seriesJAG,playing Lieutenant Commander Mic Brumby from 1998-2001. Tragically, according toThe New York Post, Goddard was found dead from a drug overdose in his North Hollywood home in June of 2003.
3François Petit: Sub-Zero
Enigmatic warrior Sub-Zeroand Liu Kang went head-to-head in one of the most memorable fights in the 1995 film. The iconic Lin Kuei warrior, who possesses the ability to control and manipulate ice, was played by French actor and martial artist FrançoisPetit.
According toIMDb, Petit was one of the physical therapists in the WWE (then WWF) during the mid-90s, best known for being ringside with Mankind in his infamous Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker (he also appeared in the famous 1999 wrestling documentaryBeyond the Mat).Petit’s most recent on-screen role was in 2010 for the offbeat martial arts comedySwishbucklers.
2Chris Casamassa: Scorpion
The iconic Sorpion will always be the unofficial mascot of theMortal Kombatfranchise. The undead ninja specter’s iconic yellow clothing, booming voice, and trademark spear (or snake, as it was re-imagined in the 1995 film) was brought to life by stunt actor and martial artist Chris Casamassa.
The son of American martial arts pioneer Louis D. Casamassa, he leveraged his ability to fight to pick up on-screen acting and stunt roles, inThe Karate Kid (1984), Batman & Robin (1997), Blade (1998), Walker: Texas Ranger (2000) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2001).
1Keith Cooke: Reptile
Fans ofMortal Kombatwere delightfully surprised to see the green, reptilian ninja make his appearance in the film (especially since he was a secret character in the original game). Reptile was played by martial artist and stunt performer Keith Cooke.
While a hugely successful martial artist, Cooke doesn’t have many on-screen credits outside of his role inMortal Kombat. His limited acting and stunt credits includeMortal Kombat: Anihilation (1997), Beverly Hills Ninja (1997), Big Momma’s House (2000),andNational Security (2003).
