Classic video game “Mortal Kombat” is set to hit the big screen once again, and has recruited a beloved martial arts star as one of its leads.
The Hollywood Reporter has the scoop that Joe Taslim has joined the flick as Sub-Zero, one of the original characters featured in the first “Mortal Kombat” release from 1992. Taslim has a solid action pedigree to back up his casting, parlaying his previous experience on the Indonesian national Judo team into a role in 2011 cult favorite martial arts movie “The Raid” (also known as “The Raid: Redemption”).
The actor went on to star in its follow-up, 2014’s “The Raid 2,” and has also appeared in films including “Fast and Furious 6,” “Star Trek Beyond,” and the recent Netflix release “The Night Comes for Us.” Taslim currently stars on the Cinemax series “Warrior.”
Sub-Zero, whose fighting style involves attacks using ice, is one of the most well-known characters from the “Mortal Kombat” franchise, and is a frequent foe of fellow fighter Scorpion. It seems likely that Scorpion will also appear in this rebooted version, though no additional details about its plot have been revealed just yet.
Filmmakers — who include James Wan, serving as a producer this time around — will have plenty of material to work with, considering the game’s longevity. The franchise features more than a dozen titles, including both the original series and spinoff games, and just this year launched “Mortal Kombat 11,” which THR says “has become the most successful launch in franchise’s history.”
Production is expected to begin in Australia later this year.
[via: The Hollywood Reporter]
