A NEW live-action film based on the beloved fighting game, ‘Mortal Kombat,’ is in the works. The fact that this video game had legions of fans in Guyana, from the nineties to now, is a testimony to how popular it is since it is an element of Western pop culture that managed to infiltrate into local mainstream consciousness several decades ago, in a time before the internet had come to Guyana. Such is the thrill and power of the game, which allows players to choose characters with specialised costumes, abilities and storylines, and compete in duels. ‘Mortal Kombat’ has spawned several editions over the years, with the most recent game, ‘Mortal Kombat 11,’ continuing to hold up the game’s place as an important one in the legacy of video games.

When I was a child, before I got my own video game system, there were several ‘video game parlours’ in and around the Charlestown/Albouystown areas, where I would spend the summer and Christmas holidays with my grandparents. These so-called ‘parlours’ were just someone’s yard or bottom-house, with a television, a video game player, controllers, and a group of neighbourhood boys. In the late afternoons or early evenings, for a small sum, you were granted the opportunity to play ‘Mortal Kombat’ (and other games, but mostly ‘Mortal Kombat’) where you could compete against the game, the other boys, or anyone else really. Girls were hardly ever around, but I do remember my sister being present a few times. These sessions constitute some of my favourite childhood memories. There was just something about being around boys your own age, something about the competitiveness that ‘Mortal Kombat’ brought out in all of us, something about the vibrant characters and their lethal and magical abilities that makes this period of my childhood one that stands out now, so many years later.

Being a fan of the game as a child, it was only a matter of time before I found my way to the first live-action film that was based on the game. However, besides the popular theme song, the film had very little else of substance and I was more than disappointed that one of my favourite games had not been represented on celluloid in a way that I thought befitted it. Thankfully, there is another opportunity for ‘Mortal Kombat’ fans on its way. This new live-action film, produced by James Wan, has already started to gather a cast – with Indonesian superstar, Joe Taslim, set to play Sub-Zero, the ninja with ice-based abilities. This particular casting decision got me thinking about other characters and who would play them in the film, which got me further thinking about who I wanted to play them in the film. So, while my opinions mean very little and will not get anywhere close to the people behind the film, it is still wildly fun to speculate. Here I will be focusing on the characters from Mortal Kombat I.

Andrew Koji as Liu Kang – Koji is doing a stellar job in “Warrior” on Cinemax. He definitely looks the part of an Asian hero worth rooting for, while having the good looks and martial arts skills necessary for the character.

Tom Hardy as Kano – I can think of no one else better suited to play the part of the laser-eyed scoundrel named Kano than Tom Hardy. His acting abilities can definitely help to bring the grit, mischief and sinister energy needed for this villain.

Takeshi Kaneshiro as Scorpion – The Taiwanese actor would make a great Scorpion against Taslim’s Sub-Zero. I do not think I have ever seen him play a character as serious or dark as Scorpion and seeing his nice-guy persona fall away for this character would be most interesting.

Ken Watanabe as Raiden – The God of Thunder is a complex and powerful figure in the ‘Mortal Kombat’ universe, playing god, leader, father-figure, teacher, mentor, and other noble and authoritative roles in the games. Watanabe is one of a handful of actors who can do this role justice.

Margot Robbie as Sonya Blade – There were many talented actresses I thought of for this role. Charlize Theron, Amber Heard, and Blake Lively were some who came to mind, but I feel that ultimately Robbie would be the best choice because ‘action heroine’ is a title that is still to be given to her and I know it is one that she can definitely earn.

Ultimately, while compiling this list was fun, I think it is obvious that everyone will have their own ideas about who should play these iconic roles, and that the actors are only one component of film making, and also only one component of everything that is needed to make this new ‘Mortal Kombat’ film better than its predecessor. Yet, the bar is not a very high one to scale and, therefore, I truly hope that this film will be enough to make the fans of the game happy.