The first trailer for the R-rated Mortal Kombat reboot provided a glimpse of many franchise heroes in action. Video game fans were in glee seeing Liu Kang, Scorpion, Raiden, Jax, Kung Lao and Sonya Blade ready to wage war in the tournament and stop Shang Tsung's forces from invading Earth. However, while villains like Mileena, Reptile, Kabal, Sub-Zero and Goro are on display in the thick of things, it's worth noting that the movie makes a massive change to one of the game's nastiest fiends: Kano.
The trailer sees Kano training under Raiden and actually fighting alongside the heroes. In fact, at the end, he even punches through Reptile's chest and pulls his heart out for his signature Fatality, indicating he wants to save the planet. It's a weird change, because Kano's usually one of the most despicable characters around, often trying to kill Sonya and her Special Forces team, including Jax.
Kano has never allied with them, as he's always sought ultimate power by working with Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn, even getting weapon upgrades for his soldiers. Fans are already running through the theories as to why he'd make a switch though, with some pointing out that it could be a deal was brokered a la Suicide Squad. Sonya's seen beating him down in the desert, so maybe she forced him into a partnership, or convinced him to help save Earth because business would be bad for the Black Dragon if it's taken over, or worse — destroyed.
He's even seen testing his cybernetic eye out in the trailer, shooting laser beams with Kung Lao deflecting it with his hat. This may be part of his training, but other fans think it could be a heel turn. They believe Kano might switch sides if an offer comes in from the shape-shifting Shang Tsung, or that he might have been a spy all along. In fact, some posit that when he does turn, he'll lose his eye to Jax per the source material and he'll then be upgraded by Shang Tsung in order to hunt the heroes down.
Admittedly, this is all speculation, as there's a lot the trailer doesn't show. But given how Kano's cursing at the end after the heart-rip and his overall disposition, it doesn't seem like he'll be a hero permanently. That said, if he does remain on the heroic side, it'll subvert expectations quite a bit.
Fans likely do want to see him engage in his full rivalry with Sonya, and maybe someday go after Johnny Cage, but as it stands, Kano's on Team Raiden for now.
Directed by Simon McQuoid and produced by James Wan, Mortal Kombat stars Lewis Tan as Cole Young; Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade; Josh Lawson as Kano; Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden; Mehcad Brooks as Jackson "Jax" Bridges; Ludi Lin as Liu Kang; Chin Han as Shang Tsung; Joe Taslim as Bi-Han and Sub-Zero; Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion; Max Huang as Kung Lao; Sisi Stringer as Mileena; Matilda Kimber as Emily Young; and Laura Brent as Allison Young. The film arrives in theaters and on HBO Max April 16.
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