6 Characters We Need For Mortal Kombat 3

Mortal Kombat II opened in theaters this weekend. While I enjoyed the movie for its fight scenes, with brutal gorey moments. Along with the comedy of the film, it did not have a plot whatsoever. However, the film did leave the door open for a sequel with an actual plot. 

So while we as fans wait for an official announcement. It's time to start thinking about some possible new additions to the next film. So here are 6 characters from the series, 3 villains and 3 heroes. I would like to see in the next film.

Ermac

Ermac debuted in the game series in 1995's Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. A villain in the game's lore he is a ninja comprised of various souls, mainly from Outworld warriors. The various souls give him powers such as teleportation and telekinesis.

With the way Mortal Kombat 2 ended, I could definitely see him appearing in the next film.

Nightwolf

Nightwolf the games only Native American character debuted in Mortal Kombat 3. He briefly appeared in 1997's Mortal Kombat: Annihilation film. He is a shaman with powers such as enhanced strength. He is a master of various weapons and is one with the spirit world.

A perfect fighter for the next adventure in Mortal Kombat land.

Cyrax

Another character that debuted in Mortal Kombat 3. Cyrax is a cybernetic ninja, aligned with Shao Khan. In later retcons of the series history, he was a member of an African tribe. In which he was an assassian and protector of his tribe.

Despite being a cyborg he is quick footed and dangerous. Him vs Jax on the big screen would be possibly the fight of the third movie 

Ashrah

Ashrah debuted in 2004's Mortal Kombat: Deception. Her storyline would add some good weight to whatever the plot of the third film maybe. Ashrah is a demon warrior, who one day comes upon a sword that cleanses her soul. Now on the side of good, she works alongside Raiden and company to protect the earth realm.

Just what the third film needs.

Onaga

In the MK world Onaga is thee Final Boss. He also made his series debut in Deception. Known as The Dragon King, he ruled outworld with an iron claw long before Shao Khan. Depending on the story he has been imprisoned for centuries, or was killed and mummified and bought back to life.

In any case, Depending on how we get there in a third movie. It's time our crew of heroes face off against this draconian figure.

Kurtis Stryker

While in Mortal Kombat 2 Johnny Cage was the stand in for the audience. The everyman unfamiliar with this new world he was thrown into. For the next film Kurtis Stryker would be the perfect option. A SWAT police officer who debuted in Mortal Kombat 3, he's more about tactics than superpowers. 

He also is not afraid to use a weapon to gain the upper hand. And by weapons grenades, night sticks, lasers, even Pistols. Something slightly different than we've seen so far for the films in the series.

Depending on who would play him, and how much of a straight man he'd play. He could be the unofficial comic relief in the film.

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Iconic Black Video Game Characters

 

It's February, while Black History is 365 days a year. February is the month where it's highlighted and honored a bit more. I partake in the celebrations with my blogs trying to put my own little spin on things, this year I decided to focus on Black characters in video games.

Much like other genres, Black main characters in video games are still a work in progress. There are some instrumental Black characters in the medium. However, that is still few and far between. I've compiled five Black main characters from video games, who many may consider legendary video game characters. This list isn't a ranking per say, just a list.

Alyx Vance

                                

Alyx Vance debuted in 2004's Half-Life 2 as a Non-Playable Character (NPC). She appears in subsequent games in the franchise such as Half-Life Episode One and Episode Two. She was the main character in the virtual reality game, Half-Life: Alyx. The funny thing is other than the latter game she is a supporting character in the series helping main character Gordon Freeman in his missions, but is well-revered. 

Alyx is a very tech savvy prominent figure in the fight against The Combine, the alien empire ruling over humans. Computer skills aren't her only traits as she can fight and use weapons with the best of them. She is also an outgoing wise-cracking personality, which in the world of video games is not common for a Black female character. Which makes her so special in the medium. 

Jax

The Character of Jax Briggs debuted in 1993's Mortal Kombat II searching for his partner Sonya Blade. Jax is a U.S. Special Forces soldier, identified by his bionic arms which give him super strength that maybe only matched by the likes of a Superman or Thor. Besides his brute strength granted to him by his arms he also fights in the styles of Judo and Muy Thai. He has appeared in eleven Mortal Kombat game series of course with redesigns throughout the years. He has been a fan favorite over the years when it comes to selecting a fighter in the games.

Outside of the game realm, he has been portrayed in all three live action Mortal Kombat films. Mortal Kombat (1995), Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997) played by Lynn Red Williams. Michael Jai White played him in the short-film Mortal Kombat: Rebirth (2010) and the follow up series Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011). He most recently was played by Mechad Brooks in 2021's Mortal Kombat film.

CJ 

Carl Johnson also known as CJ, just a kid from the mean streets of Los Santos and a member of the Grove Street gang. Coming back home to Los Santos from Liberty City, after the death of his mother. CJ finds a brand new world from the one he left. CJ partook in criminal elements, but he was a good guy who at times displayed a conscience and confliction about his deeds. But make no mistake he wasn't a pushover. 

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was a game changer on PS2 for it's vast open world expansion across the great state of San Andreas, and the ability to customize CJ's wardrobe and look throughout the game. I distinctly remember dressing CJ in all black with a gold chain and a bucket hat cruising around in his black and gold low rider. 

As is customary in the GTA world CJ quickly was sprung from his neighborhood all across the glitz of Las Venturas and the quirks of San Fiero. CJ came across all facets of the criminal underworld and defeated them all to make a good life for himself outside of Los Santos and the criminal element. 

Lincoln Clay 

Lincoln Clay is the protagonist in Mafia III (which by the way I think it's time for another game in the Mafia series). Lincoln is a Vietnam War vet who returns to his home of New Bordeaux (based on New Orleans). Much like depictions of heroes in movies, Lincoln just trying to find steady work get's caught up in the underworld. Soon he sets out to avenge some close friends and family lost to the mob, while building his own empire and dealing with racism.

Props to the creators of the game, because while Lincoln is a very calm but strong minded man. Who uses strategy and rationalizes things, he is also a conflicted man. Violent and suffering from ptsd which plays a part in his characterization while also shedding light on the struggles many military vets go through. Lincoln was not afraid to spring into action and bust some heads, while still having visions and flashbacks of the world he left behind overseas. Which should be examined more, but this isn't the blog for that.

Adam Hunter

The first Black character I can recall that was depicted in a video game. Adam Hunter was a former cop in the world of Streets Of Rage which was released in 1991, and one of the primary characters.  The older brother of Eddie "Skate" Hunter, Adam was all muscle in the world of the game.

Since this was an early 90's property, characterization wasn't really a huge deal back then. Much isn't known about Adam except his history as a cop, relation to Skate, and he could gorilla press slam an opponent like the best of them. In Streets Of Rage 4 he's been given a bit more character, he's honorable and he too is calm and collected but has no time for games.

Adam Hunter is one dude you would not want to mess with, if he was a real character. 

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