Mortal Kombat: Rebirth
| Company type | Short film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Kevin Tancharoen |
| Products | Short fan-made film |
Mortal Kombat: Rebirth is a 2010 American short fan-made film directed by Kevin Tancharoen, with fight scenes choreographed by Larnell Stovall. Inspired by the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, Tancharoen produced this film as a pitch to Warner Bros. Entertainment for a revamped Mortal Kombat feature. The film offers a grounded, realistic interpretation of the series, excluding supernatural elements such as Outworld, while retaining the tournament as a core narrative element.
Tancharoen mentioned that any supernatural components might be incorporated into a full-length adaptation but would be portrayed "in a very tasteful way." This concept eventually evolved into the web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy.
Plot
In Deacon City, Police Captain Jackson Briggs briefs assassin Hanzo Hasashi regarding two criminals: Reptile and Baraka, the latter responsible for the murder of undercover officer and former actor Johnny Cage. Briggs suspects both are affiliated with a figure named Shang Tsung and tasks Hasashi with eliminating them during a covert tournament organized by Tsung. Despite being promised freedom upon completing these missions, Hasashi reveals he chooses to remain incarcerated and could leave at any time. When Sonya Blade arrives bearing proof that Hasashi’s adversary Sub-Zero is still alive and that the deceased was Sub-Zero’s brother, Hasashi realizes his true objective: to kill Reptile, Baraka, and Shang Tsung in order to confront Sub-Zero. Embracing this purpose, Hasashi adopts the identity of Scorpion and agrees to participate in the tournament.
Cast
- Michael Jai White portrays Jackson Briggs, captain of the Deacon City Police Department. A subtle detail includes the faded letters "Jacks" on his office door, referencing "Jax." White’s representatives indicated he viewed the project as promotional material linked to the upcoming Mortal Kombat game.
- Jeri Ryan plays Sonya Blade, partner to Jackson Briggs. Ryan accepted the part as a personal favor.
- Matt Mullins appears as Johnny Cage, an ex-Hollywood actor turned undercover operative after his film career declined. His character is killed by Baraka in a flashback sequence. Mullins connected with director Tancharoen through an engaging script that excited him about the project.
- Lateef Crowder takes on the role of Alan Zane / Baraka, a disgraced plastic surgeon turned assassin who alters his appearance with facial piercings and metal blades attached to his forearms. He is shown killing Johnny Cage during a flashback fight.
- Ian Anthony Dale embodies Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion, the elite Shirai Ryu assassin who surrenders to authorities after killing who he believed was his enemy. His portrayal includes signature features such as white eyes, his iconic spear weapon, and the battle cry "Get over here!" consistent with the video game character.
- Richard Dorton plays Reptile, depicted as a mass murderer suffering from Harlequin ichthyosis—a condition causing excessive skin growth and inverted eyelids. His character is noted for decapitating victims, referencing his "Head Eat" Fatality from the games.
- James Lew appears as Shang Tsung, shown in a photograph.
Development
The initial release of the video on YouTube caused uncertainty among media outlets such as IGN and 1UP.com, who were unsure whether it was a viral campaign for a forthcoming movie or video game. Conflicting accounts emerged: White's team believed it was intended to promote the 2011 Mortal Kombat game, whereas Ryan described it as a film proposal and a personal favor.
Director Kevin Tancharoen created the short film with a budget of approximately $7,500 over a two-month period, shooting in April 2010 using borrowed gear. Actor Matt Mullins, acquainted with Tancharoen, became involved after reviewing the script and franchise concept. Tancharoen's original plan was to use the film exclusively as a pitch to Warner Bros but unintentionally made it publicly available on YouTube.
Series co-creator Ed Boon commended the short as "awesome" and "incredibly well done," considering it a valid alternate universe interpretation of Mortal Kombat, though he acknowledged it "probably crosses the line" in its reimagining of the series.
Fight choreographer Larnell Stovall was responsible for all fight sequences and played a key role in bringing Michael Jai White onto the project. Jeri Ryan confirmed that her involvement was motivated by doing a favor for a friend.
Future
Building on the short film's success, the web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy was launched, streaming on Machinima.com's YouTube channel from April 2011 through September 2013 across two seasons. Tancharoen returned as both writer and director, retaining much of the original cast, though the series adopts a distinct continuity with amplified supernatural themes.
In September 2011, following the debut season of Legacy, Tancharoen was appointed to direct the Mortal Kombat reboot, collaborating with co-writer Oren Uziel. However, Tancharoen departed from the project in October 2013. The film eventually premiered in 2021, with Uziel credited for the story.