The Mortal Kombat II panel at New York Comic Con was packed with surprises, confirmations, and the promise of an even bigger future for the franchise.
The biggest announcement of the day came from screenwriter Jeremy Slater, who revealed that Mortal Kombat III is officially in development. Slater shared that he has already begun writing the script, following strong confidence from New Line and Warner Bros. in the upcoming sequel. The studios are reportedly thrilled with how Mortal Kombat II has shaped up and eager to continue expanding the cinematic universe.
Before the third film arrives, fans can look forward to Mortal Kombat II, now set to hit theaters on May 16, 2026. The sequel was originally slated for fall 2025, but director Simon McQuoid explained during the panel that the delay came as a result of the movie’s strong early reactions. Test screenings have generated major excitement, convincing the studio that the film deserves a prime summer blockbuster release. McQuoid described the sequel as a massive, crowd-pleasing event that will mark the start of next year’s summer movie season.
Joining McQuoid and Slater on stage were Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Tati Gabrielle, and Martyn Ford, who play Johnny Cage, Kitana, Jade, and Shao Kahn. The new cast members join returning stars Lewis Tan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jessica McNamee, Joe Taslim, and more, bringing back nearly every major fighter from the 2021 film.
The panel also treated fans to a behind the scenes featurette and an exclusive look at a new fight sequence. The clip featured Johnny Cage facing off against Baraka, with Liu Kang, Sonya, and Jax appearing to help convince Baraka to join forces with them against Shao Kahn. It was a show stealing moment that gave fans their first real taste of Urban’s take on Cage, complete with the character’s signature flair and sunglasses.
Between the reveal of Mortal Kombat III, the packed cast lineup, and the energy from fans in the room, it is clear that the Mortal Kombat cinematic saga is far from finished and the next chapter is already being written.