Although *Mortal Kombat II* is not scheduled to arrive in theaters until next year, that delay has done nothing to hinder New Line Cinema’s ambitious forward momentum. The studio, showing evident confidence in the vitality of its rebooted franchise, is reportedly already laying the groundwork for a potential third installment. According to a recent report from *Deadline*, New Line is actively considering bringing back Jeremy Slater—the writer and executive producer responsible for *Mortal Kombat II*—to craft the screenplay for this prospective follow-up. This early move suggests that Warner Bros., New Line’s parent company, harbors strong enthusiasm for the developing sequel and sees considerable creative and commercial potential in continuing the saga.
During the film’s panel at New York Comic Con, Slater himself confirmed the positive mood surrounding the project, noting that the studio was, in his words, “so happy” with how *Mortal Kombat II* had taken shape. Such optimism appears well-founded: the movie’s first trailer, which debuted in July, generated a tremendous response across digital platforms, attracting an astonishing 107 million global views within just twenty-four hours. This remarkable achievement not only demonstrated the fervent anticipation of the fanbase but also broke previous records for red-band trailers, underscoring the enduring global fascination with the *Mortal Kombat* franchise and its visceral brand of cinematic action.
At present, with *Mortal Kombat II* still several months from release, the creative direction of a potential third film remains undisclosed. No official story details have been shared, leaving audiences to speculate about how the narrative might evolve. However, longtime fans may recall that around the release of the first reboot, producer Greg Russo expressed interest in possibly exploring the aftermath of the iconic tournament in a hypothetical third installment. Such a premise would naturally evoke parallels with the storyline of the 1995 video game *Mortal Kombat 3*, in which the warlord Shao Kahn launches a devastating invasion of Earthrealm following his earlier defeat. If that concept were adapted for film, it could provide a dramatic expansion of the series’ mythos while building on the foundations laid by the previous entries.
Following the strong performance of the 2021 *Mortal Kombat* reboot, Warner Bros. was already reported to be evaluating ways to develop a broader cinematic universe inspired by the rich mythology of the games. The enthusiasm surrounding these developments suggests that those ambitions are now beginning to materialize. Nevertheless, audiences eager for the next chapter will need to wait a while longer: *Mortal Kombat II* is officially slated to arrive in theaters on May 15, 2026, with any subsequent sequel likely to follow in its wake.
For those interested in keeping up with related news from across the entertainment landscape, io9 continues to provide coverage on upcoming releases spanning the *Marvel*, *Star Wars*, and *Star Trek* franchises, as well as updates from the evolving *DC Universe* and future plans for *Doctor Who*. Together, these interconnected projects signal an exciting period for fans of science fiction, fantasy, and blockbuster cinema alike.
Sourse: https://gizmodo.com/mortal-kombat-is-already-warming-up-for-a-third-movie-2000671568
