Exclusive: Director Simon McQuiod on making ‘Mortal Kombat’ more action packed than the previous films

Now in theaters and HBO Max simultaneously from Warner Bros. is Mortal Kombat, Simon McQuoid’s reimagining and highly-anticipated new adaptation of the hit Midway Games franchise.

The diverse international cast reflects the global nature of the brand, with talent spanning the worlds of film, television and martial arts. The ensemble includes Joe Taslim as Sub Zero; Ludi Lin as Liu Kang; Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade; Josh Lawson as Kano; Tadanobu Asano as Raiden; Mehcad Brooks as Jackson “Jax” Bridges; Chin Han as Shang Tsung; Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion; Max Huang as Kung Lao; Sisi Stringer as Mileena; and Lewis Tan as Cole Young.

In Mortal Kombat, MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage—or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark.

Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao and rogue mercenary Kano, as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana—the immense power from within his soul—in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?

Best known for directing commercials on high-profile campaigns for PlayStation, Halo, Range Rover, Beats by Dre, and other top brands, this is director Simon McQuoid’s most visible work to date. His commercial work has earned him a Grand Clio, a D&AD Pencil, and a GRANDY Award, among others. In speaking with BlackFilmandTV.com’s Wilson Morales, McQuiod goes over his quest to make this Mortal Kombat vesrion totally different from the previous installments.