Summary
- MK11 and MK1 drew controversy with celebrity castings like Ronda Rousey and Megan Fox as iconic characters.
- Well-known actors can detract from the unique character qualities in Mortal Kombat, affecting player immersion.
Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1 are both premium fighting games from NetherRealm that channel the longstanding legacy and mythology of the MK universe while putting a new spin on it. However, they also both included elements that stirred controversy within the fanbase. One major character decision made in both games brought the wrong kind of attention: the celebrity castings in MK11 and Mortal Kombat 1.
Specifically, the celebrity actors that were cast to play existing MK characters. This controversy arose in Mortal Kombat 11 when Ronda Rousey was cast to play Sonya Blade. This decision was not received well, yet the scenario repeated itself in the following game. In MK1, Megan Fox was cast to play Nitara , and again it did not go over very well. Moving forward, it would be wise for Mortal Kombat to consider alternative casting decisions.
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Why Mortal Kombat Should Avoid Well-Known Actors
The Characters Speak For Themselves
The Mortal Kombat universe is one of the most unique among all popular fighting games. It contains a rich mythology and deep lore that intertwines the lives of each character in the series. After 32 years, Mortal Kombat characters have become some of the most recognizable in gaming, and players are interested in taking control of these characters. At times, casting an actor who is too well-known can detract from the unique qualities of the character and take players out of the immersion into the universe.
That's not to say that casting a popular actor is always necessarily wrong. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's Shang Tsung, for example, was fitting as he played the character in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film. Many other excellent actors could play MK characters extremely well, but it can be jarring for fans when a major celebrity takes up the mantle of an established character for the first time in a new game.
NetherRealm approached this in a potentially successful way with optional character swaps like Jean-Claude Van Damme's Johnny Cage in MK1, but Nitara's casting overshadowed this.
Mortal Kombat Needs To Return To Its Roots
The Mortal Kombat games have always been riddled with controversy since the very first game, but it was usually due to the violence and gore. MK11 and MK1 are still incredible games, but the recent direction has divided fans and caused disarray in the community. MK1's promise of a fresh start didn't quite turn out the way it could have, and looking back at classic games to decide what should be included in the future might be the best way to move forward.
There is a multitude of incredible voice-over artists that have worked on Mortal Kombat over the years and many more that would be excellent in future games. Choosing the right talent to portray Mortal Kombat fighters can make or break the gameplay experience and avoiding any controversial decisions moving forward would be ideal for the franchise, even if NetherRealm had hopeful ambitions when casting seemingly random celebrities.
Mortal Kombat 1
- Released
- September 19, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you'll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you've never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- NetherRealm Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Brothers Games
- Franchise
- Mortal Kombat
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
- How Long To Beat
- 7 Hours
- Metascore
- 84
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
