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1995’sMortal Kombatis one of the most illustrious video game movies in account , but it could ’ve turned out a lot dissimilar if not for casting offspring . The lineament film , directed byPaul W.S. Anderson , was loosely based on the popular video series by the same name . The video secret plan dealership was originally develop in 1992 , becoming a hit for struggle direction and graphic violence . star figures like Robin Shou , Linden Ashby , Bridgette Wilson - Sampras , Mortal Kombatemerged as a box federal agency bang , garnering a continuation titledMortal Kombat : Annihilationand boob tube spinoffs . After being nonplus in developmental hell , aMortal Kombatreboot is set to entry in 2021 .
Mortal Kombatspecifically integrate elements from the first two picture game installments create by Midway Games . It focalize on a trio of skilled fighter as they were guided by a powerful deity on a special journey to defeat an evil thaumaturgist know asShang Tsung . The warriors come in a grave tourney to confront off against the villain ’s deadly forces in the promise of save the ground . Despite the mixed review from critic , Mortal Kombatbecame somewhat of a cult classic . In addition , the movie ’s soundtrack was an absolute hit with audiences .
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While Anderson and the studio go with mainly unknown actors , that was n’t the original design . Those involved in the development had several vainglorious - name actors in psyche for key purpose . Cary - Hiroyuki Tagawa was the only actor cast who was the crew ’s first and only alternative for Shang Tsung . Other than that , the movie had to be elastic due to refuse crack and unexpected mishaps . So who could ’ve starred in Anderson ’s movie ? Here ’s which actors closely worked onMortal Kombat .
Liu Kang
Robin Shou starred as Liu Kang , the principal protagonist as showcased in the video game and theMortal Kombatfilm series . The character was a former Shaolin monk that embark the tournament after Shang Tsung , the primary villain , killed his younger sidekick , Chan Kang . The actor turn out to be the only lead actor to reprise his part for the 1997 sequel , Mortal Kombat : Annihilation . Shou played a fundamental part in the franchise , but the player was n’t the only name considered . Among those who auditioned admit Russell Wong , Dustin Nguyen , Keith Cooke , and Phillip Rhee .
Brandon Lee , the boy of famed actor Bruce Lee , was state to be the original choice to playact Liu Kang . lamentably , Lee was tragically killed while working on the lot ofThe Crow . As the film ’s lead role , Lee was film a prospect that sport him being snap . Due to negligence , Lee was wounded by bad blank ammo , and he subsequently died at the infirmary at the age of 28 . The release ofThe Crowin 1994 do as Lee ’s final acting appearance . WhenMortal Kombatwas forced to go in a new direction , Shou ’s name came up . He in the beginning turned down the role because he worried about Asian stereotypes , but his agent changed his psyche .
Rayden
Christopher Lambert notably portrayed Rayden , the god of roar who acted as the scout in the heroes ' journeying in defending the Earthrealm . Known as Raiden in the games , the immortal character attend to protector of the Earthrealm , but he could n’t participate in the tourney . Though Lambert go as the group ’s heady drawing card , he was n’t ab initio the first choice to meet Rayden . In fact , a few legendary actors , including Danny Glover , were considered for the role .
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Glover , best known for play Roger Murtaugh in theLethal Weaponseries , was a favorite of New Line Cinema . deadly Kombatco - Godhead Ed Boon later depict the studio ' interest in Glover as a " wild suggestion " in a 2017 consultation ( viaIGN ) . Despite nearing 50 - years - old at the meter , the thespian would have been adequate to of play Rayden . That said , the stunt - heavy piece of work was presumably unappealing , resulting in the deficiency of stake from Glover .
Legendary James Bond actor Sean Connery also develop as an remaining option to present Rayden in the 1995 film . The hope was that his casting would bring a wider audience since Connery was a well - plant actor by the ' XC . Though he was one of the top alternative for the role , he had absolutely no interest . Instead , the actor reverse the go because he wanted to spend more metre playing golf game .
Johnny Cage
Linden Ashby play Johnny Cage , the Hollywood whizz who participate the tourney as a way to convince the world that he was skilled in martial art . The extremely cocky persona process as the comic relief during the tense activity - heavy setting . Ashby actually trained in karate , tae kwon do , and kung fu to prepare for the role of Johnny . The video game opposite number was inspired byJean - Claude Van Damme , and the worker was really come near to launch the character in Anderson ’s flick . Van Damme turned down the offer to or else limn Colonel Guile in the film adaptation of another TV secret plan , Street Fighter .
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Popular role player Gary Daniels , Johnny Depp , and Tom Cruise were also consider for the role of Johnny . The latter of which turned down the opportunity so he could star inMission Impossible . It ’s unclear precisely why Daniels and Depp also decline , but both actors had a steady amount of fizgig in the mid-’90s , which could have prevented the possibility of taking a persona inMortal Kombat .
Sonya Blade
Bridgette Wilson - Sampras wager Sonya Blade , a exacting military officer of the United States Special Forces who was seem to avenge the death of her partner . While looking to kill the crime party boss , Kano , Sonya enter the tournament to take down malevolent wizard Shang Tsung and his allies . Wilson - Sampras try out for the role of Sonya , but due to the extended molding process , she rent a part inBilly Madisoninstead . Meanwhile , the studio cast Cameron Diaz as Sonya after revel her work inThe masque .
While grooming for theMortal Kombatrole , Diaz break her wrist . The gang did n’t have much time before filming start so they returned to Wilson - Sampras , who had just envelop filming onBilly Madison . Wilson - Sampras was formally recast as Sonya , flying out the next day to get on stage set . unco , the actress did her own stunt and trained for major fighting sequence in between her scenes . Actress Christina Applegate was also take for the role during the initial casting appendage .
Jackson Briggs A.K.A. “Jax”
Gregory McKinney made a minor appearance inMortal KombatasJackson " Jax " Briggs , Sonya ’s Special Forces cooperator . in the first place , the invitee character was meant to be played by Steve James , a star topology ofAmerican Ninja , The Delta Force , andI’m Gon na Git You Sucka . unluckily , James passed away from pancreatic Crab in 1993 , which was shortly before cinematography was go down to begin . Even thoughMortal Kombatwent with McKinney for the original movie , he was unable to reprise his role in the continuation due to ill health . He later expire in 1998 , a year afterAnnihilationdebuted . American Gladiatorsactor Lynn " Red " Williams filled in for the expanded arc in the conform to - up film .
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