Mortal Kombat II Director Reveals How They Made Johnny Cage’s In-Universe Film [Exclusive Interview]

One of many issues I used to be so impressed by is how earnest the film is by way of its respect of the video games, and the lore, and the characters. I feel that actually comes by way of in that early combat scene between Kitana and Johnny, the place you need each of them to win, you do not need both one to lose. What was it like for you staging a sequence like that by way of protecting them sympathetically even, however having them even have a combat?

Yeah, that was a very attention-grabbing and crucial combat, that one, given how early it’s and given how these two characters within the framework and the construction of the script and the story, they carry us by way of the movie. They’re the primary pillars of the movie, proper? So it was vital that they met one another early after which they plat collectively, and one causes an impact for the opposite, they usually plat collectively on the finish as we attain the ending. Additionally, we’re seeing the combat by way of Johnny’s eyes, after which we’re additionally seeing it by way of Kitana’s eyes. So we had to concentrate on what was taking place in each of their minds. Initially, Johnny, fully fish out of water, thrown within the deep finish. So he is nonetheless attempting to again out of it. He simply has no concept what is going on on. And that combat for him is about sort of re-sparking what’s truly in right here [points to his chest], however he is misplaced contact with. In order that’s step one of [his change], now he will get his ass kicked by Kitana.

However then with Kitana, she’s taking part in the lengthy sport as a result of she has this type of pursuit and this purpose to her revenge. And so she is aware of, properly, she’s not going to do what her father needs, or “her father” needs. She’s going to do what she needs, however she has to make it appear to be … So there is a technique there as properly. So it was enjoyable. It was wonderful. So the enormous flip that Zia [Kelly], who’s the stunt performer for [Kitana], she did that about 20 occasions, that big flip.

Wow.

Yeah, that is all in digicam.

Oh, that is unimaginable.

Yeah. And he or she’s such an incredible stunt performer. And Zia’s truly the lady within the crimson costume with the rocket launcher [in the Johnny Cage movie]. So she’s Kitana’s stunt double. And it was an incredible, wonderful combat to construct and arrange and watch occur.