Based on a specific casting announcement for Mortal Kombat 2, the sequel will likely not repeat an iconic twist from the video games. The upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 will see Earthrealm’s warriors take on many of the strongest fighters from Outworld, who are led by Shao Kahn. Even though reviews for the 2021 reboot were mixed, anticipation is high for the sequel since it will feature an actual Mortal Kombat tournament. Mortal Kombat 2 will continue the stories of characters like Cole Young, Sonya Blade, Jax Briggs, and also finally introduce Johnny Cage.

In addition to these characters, it has also been announced that both Hiroyuki Sanada and Joe Taslim will return for the sequel after playing Scorpion and Sub-Zero, respectively, in the first film. This may be surprising to some since Cole Young and Scorpion teamed up to kill Sub-Zero at the end of 2021’s Mortal Kombat, but longtime fans of the franchise expected this since the iconic blue ninja also returns in the games. However, since Taslim is reprising his role, it doesn’t seem like Mortal Kombat 2 will repeat a Sub-Zero twist from the games.

Mortal Kombat 2 Is Bringing Sub-Zero Back, But With An Expected Twist

Noob Saibot Will Appear In Mortal Kombat 2

Sub-Zero returning in Mortal Kombat 2 shouldn’t be surprising to longtime fans of the franchise since it is not uncommon for characters to return from the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in the games. Ahead of the release of the sequel, it has been theorized that Quan Chi will revive Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 2. Quan Chi, a necromancer from Netherrealm who is capable of bringing people back to life, has been confirmed to have a role in Mortal Kombat 2.

However, Taslim will not portray the same version of Sub-Zero that we saw in the first movie. Instead, Taslim will play Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat 2. After dying in the first video game, Bi-Han is resurrected by Quan Chi and returns as Noob Saibot, who wears a black and gray outfit that reminds people of his connection to death and shadows. This is one of the best twists in the video games, so it makes sense for Taslim to portray Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat 2.

Mortal Kombat 2’s Video Game Had A Different Sub-Zero Twist

The Second Mortal Kombat Game Introduced Kuai Liang

However, it should be noted that Noob Saibot’s true idenтιтy wasn’t revealed until Mortal Kombat: Deception, which came out 12 years after the first game. Therefore, fans didn’t know that Noob Saibot was actually Bi-Han, the original Sub-Zero, for years. While this twist took a long time to be revealed, the second Mortal Kombat game included another twist related to Sub-Zero.

After Scorpion kills Bi-Han in the first game, his brother, Kuai Liang, joins the tournament in Mortal Kombat II seeking revenge. At the start of the second game, it is not revealed that the new Sub-Zero is actually Bi-Han’s brother, which creates some intrigue surrounding the character. Just like Bi-Han, Kuai Liang is a Lin Kuei ᴀssᴀssin who holds his own against Scorpion and other fighters in the Mortal Kombat tournament. After debuting in Mortal Kombat II, Kuai Liang fights as Sub-Zero in many other Mortal Kombat games.

Mortal Kombat 2 Won’t Be Able To Pull Off The Sub-Zero Brother Twist

It Will Be Harder To Execute This Sub-Zero Twist In A Mortal Kombat Movie

While the second game was easily able to pull off this brother twist, the same can’t be said for the upcoming movie. Taslim is a recognizable actor, which means it will be easy to tell if it’s actually him under the mask. Therefore, if Mortal Kombat 2 does try to repeat this twist, it likely won’t be that effective. However, it will definitely still be very exciting to see Taslim appear as Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat 2, which will feature him trying to get revenge against Scorpion after the intense ending of the first film.