{"id":1929045,"date":"2026-05-11T09:48:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T06:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1929045"},"modified":"2026-05-11T09:48:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T06:48:02","slug":"mortal-kombat-ii-star-max-huang-wants-a-kung-lao-and-liu-kang-shaolin-monks-spinoff-movie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1929045","title":{"rendered":"Mortal Kombat II Star Max Huang Wants a Kung Lao and Liu Kang Shaolin Monks Spinoff Movie"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-28683165 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Most who have seen the recently released <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/movies\/mortal-kombat-ii\">Mortal Kombat II<\/a> agree: the fight between Liu Kang and Kung Lao is the best in the movie.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Liu Kang, played by Ludi Lin, and Kung Lao, played by Max Huang, are in full martial arts movie star mode as they zip about a big screen adaptation of the iconic Portal stage from the Mortal Kombat video games. Kung Lao, revived as an undead Revenant after biting the dust in the previous movie, fights for Outworld against a fired up Liu Kang. The once best friends are now deadly foes, destined to fight to the death.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Huang and Lin are in top form here, but the fight itself \u2014 without spoiling anything \u2014 is the movie&#8217;s most effective at fusing VFX into stuntwork. Liu Kang displays plenty of fire power, but Kung Lao\u2019s razor sharp hat, perhaps the most iconic weapon in all of Mortal Kombat, steals the show. It darts this way and that as if it were a third member of the fight. The way both Huang and Lin work with it as well as against it while battling each other is truly impressive. As a result, Liu Kang vs Kung Lao is the centrepiece of Mortal Kombat II \u2014 and it leaves us wanting more.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Mortal Kombat II Movie Images<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Martyn Ford as \u201cShao Kahn\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(L-R) Ludi Lin as \u201cLiu Kang\u201d, Mehcad Brooks as \u201cJackson \u2018Jax\u2019 Briggs\u201d, Jessica McNamee as \u201cSonya Blade\u201d, and Karl Urban as \u201cJohnny Cage\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 22 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hiroyuki Sanada as \u201cScorpion\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Adeline Rudolph as \u201cKitana\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tati Gabrielle as \u201cJade\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat 2,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(L-R) Jessica McNamee as \u201cSonya Blade\u201d, and Karl Urban as \u201cJohnny Cage\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat 2,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In an interview with IGN, Huang revealed the eight-month prep work for his return as Kung Lao, this time as a villain, and his fight with Ludi Lin. He told us that he actually trained with a shaolin monk to help him get into character (in the games Kung Lao and Liu Kang are Shaolin monks). \u201cI wanted to give Kung Lao more depth and I wanted to bring him back to his origin,\u201d Huang explained.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Preparing for the fight, the pair used an iPhone to record each other while trying to capture the same framing for all the movements we see in the movie. Huang and Lin filmed their fight scene for a solid week. Huang, who performed almost all his own stunts, called the experience \u201cbrutal.\u201d At one point \u2014 day six, he said \u2014 he was lying on the floor and was meant to get up, but just couldn\u2019t. \u201cI was like, okay, I just need one minute,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">But his experience filming Mortal Kombat is a cake walk compared to his decade-long work as a member of the great Jackie Chan\u2019s stunt team. \u201cIn China, we used to have sometimes 16-18 hour days of nonstop working, and you would be lucky if there was coffee around on set. It&#8217;s just like, \u2018Boom, boom, boom, one shot after another. And I feel like when I come to Hollywood, it&#8217;s almost like a vacation to be honest. You work with Jackie Chan and you&#8217;re not surprised by any other action design or action team.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-313219616\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/2026\/05\/09\/rev-1-mk2-tp2-005-high-res-jpeg-1778364298550.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"null\" class=\"progressive-image article-image article-image-full-size jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/a><figcaption data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 jsx-479945570 article-image-caption\">Kung Lao and Liu Kang face off in Mortal Kombat II. Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">On screen, Kung Lao effortlessly interacts with his hat, commanding it as if with his mind. It moves extremely quickly; as a viewer it\u2019s sometimes hard to keep up, but the hat makes the fight truly special. Of course, mastering the hat took a great deal of work. Thankfully for Huang, his background in Chinese kung fu gave him a natural advantage.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cThe philosophy in Chinese martial arts is always to enhance the weapon as part of your body,\u201d Huang explained. \u201cAnd I try to do the same with the hat. The approach was to bring it all together and make the hat become part of Kung Lao instead of being separate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Huang distanced himself from the well-trodden idea that performing in fight scenes is like performing in a dance. Indeed, he insisted fight scenes aren\u2019t even choreographed, when it comes down to it. \u201cIt&#8217;s actually the opposite and it&#8217;s very spontaneous,\u201d he said. \u201cIt&#8217;s very reactive out of the moment. If you look at the UFC, you never know what the next moment will give you. There&#8217;s always a surprise that lies ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Instead, Huang tries to find \u201cthe truth of the moment\u201d within his action scenes, rather than fuss over carefully choreographed movements. \u201cI&#8217;m not really interested in choreography to be honest with you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cI&#8217;m more interested in the connection between the two characters and what it is about,\u201d Huang continued. \u201cWhat do we want to express? I think that&#8217;s part of the reason why this scene works so well, because instead of just moving in a fancy way, this fight is telling a story.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2021719738 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">When you\u2019re playing Kung Lao, you don\u2019t just have to prepare physically, you have to do your video game research. For Huang, that came before he filmed 2021\u2019s Mortal Kombat, and it revolved around Mortal Kombat 11. He looked at Kung Lao in that game, settled on his top five iconic movements, and studied those to capture the essence of the character\u2019s style.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Based on what we&#8217;re treated to on-screen, all the hard work has paid off. \u201cA huge amount of time went into this one,\u201d Huang said of Mortal Kombat II&#8217;s Liu Kang and Kung Lao fight, \u201cbut I am personally pretty happy with the result. It\u2019s probably the best fight scene I&#8217;ve done so far. It\u2019s the fight of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em><strong>Warning!<\/strong><\/em><em> Spoilers for Mortal Kombat II follow:<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">At this point, we\u2019ll veer into spoiler territory for Mortal Kombat II. Liu Kang ends up using Kung Lao\u2019s hat against him, tearing the Revenant in half in typically gory fashion. Eventually, Liu Kang seemingly  ascends to godhood \u2014 something that won&#8217;t surprise anyone who\u2019s played recent Mortal Kombat video games \u2014 and he vows to rescue his old friend from the afterlife (this is Mortal Kombat, it\u2019s probably best not to dwell on logic).<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The upshot is Kung Lao will return for Mortal Kombat III, and Liu Kang\u2019s rescue act will be one of the main storylines in the sequel. Poor Kung Lao doesn\u2019t have a particularly impressive survival rate; he died in each of the Mortal Kombat movies so far. It\u2019s safe to assume Kung Lao will get another go in Mortal Kombat III, but what does Huang want to see happen to his character?<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cWell, first of all, I hope that he doesn&#8217;t suffer another death!\u201d Huang said, keeping his cards close to his chest. \u201cGive him a break, let him live for a second. But yeah, there&#8217;s so many possibilities where this whole franchise can go.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"poll-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<section class=\"box-wrapper jsx-2673806401\">\n<div class=\"card jsx-1339469126 jsx-1355461925 box jsx-2627838217 poll-content-block\" data-cy=\"poll-content-block\">\n<fieldset class=\"answers jsx-332304107\" role=\"radiogroup\" aria-labelledby=\"poll-question\">\n<legend class=\"stack jsx-2624643483 jsx-4192417768\"><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442\"><\/p>\n<h2 data-cy=\"poll-question\" class=\"title2 jsx-1903782357 jsx-1377259516 headline\" id=\"poll-question\">Which Mortal Kombat movie is the best?<\/h2>\n<p><\/span><\/legend>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer highlight\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66277\" id=\"answerId66277-label\"><span class=\"label\">Mortal Kombat (1995)<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1945348876\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66278\" id=\"answerId66278-label\"><span class=\"label\">Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997)<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66279\" id=\"answerId66279-label\"><span class=\"label\">Mortal Kombat (2021)<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66280\" id=\"answerId66280-label\"><span class=\"label\">One of the animated ones.<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66281\" id=\"answerId66281-label\"><span class=\"label\">I&#8217;m waiting for Mortal Kombat II!<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2624643483 jsx-4255654680 poll-controls\"><button class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-2267841559 contained disabled full-width large\" disabled type=\"submit\" data-cy=\"poll-answer-btn\">Answer<\/button><button class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button jsx-3381835873 jsx-1624977611 nav next-button small\" title=\"See Results\" aria-label=\"See Results\" data-cy=\"see-results-btn\"><span style=\"white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-align:right\">See Results<\/span><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-4173866675\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" aria-label=\"See Results\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">With Mortal Kombat III already in the works, perhaps the powers that be will also consider spinoffs. If that happens, Huang \u2014 like Lin \u2014 would love to see a Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks film. This would be an exciting prospect for fans considering Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is a video game spinoff itself. The 2005 action adventure game sees players control the eponymous Shaolin monks Liu Kang and Kung Lao as they protect Earthrealm from the forces of Outworld. It&#8217;s easy to see a movie version do much the same, while fleshing out both characters&#8217; backstories.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cSomething that I personally would love to explore would be a Shaolin Monks spinoff,\u201d Huang said. \u201cLudi has talked about it. I&#8217;ve been talking about it. It would be great to see those two characters&#8217; origins and how they were raised by Bo&#8217; Rai Cho and trained and exploring the White Lotus. Yeah, the lore of Mortal Kombat is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">After his performance in Mortal Kombat II, Max Huang might just get his wish.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">For more, check out IGN\u2019s <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/mortal-kombat-ii-2-movie-review\">Mortal Kombat II review<\/a>. And once you\u2019re done with that, check out <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/mortal-kombat-ii-movie-burning-questions-how-arcana-became-franchises-midichlorians\">the biggest burning questions we have going into Mortal Kombat III<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures.<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Most who have seen the recently released <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/movies\/mortal-kombat-ii\">Mortal Kombat II<\/a> agree: the fight between Liu Kang and Kung Lao is the best in the movie.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Liu Kang, played by Ludi Lin, and Kung Lao, played by Max Huang, are in full martial arts movie star mode as they zip about a big screen adaptation of the iconic Portal stage from the Mortal Kombat video games. Kung Lao, revived as an undead Revenant after biting the dust in the previous movie, fights for Outworld against a fired up Liu Kang. The once best friends are now deadly foes, destined to fight to the death.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Huang and Lin are in top form here, but the fight itself \u2014 without spoiling anything \u2014 is the movie&#8217;s most effective at fusing VFX into stuntwork. Liu Kang displays plenty of fire power, but Kung Lao\u2019s razor sharp hat, perhaps the most iconic weapon in all of Mortal Kombat, steals the show. It darts this way and that as if it were a third member of the fight. The way both Huang and Lin work with it as well as against it while battling each other is truly impressive. As a result, Liu Kang vs Kung Lao is the centrepiece of Mortal Kombat II \u2014 and it leaves us wanting more.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Mortal Kombat II Movie Images<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Martyn Ford as \u201cShao Kahn\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(L-R) Ludi Lin as \u201cLiu Kang\u201d, Mehcad Brooks as \u201cJackson \u2018Jax\u2019 Briggs\u201d, Jessica McNamee as \u201cSonya Blade\u201d, and Karl Urban as \u201cJohnny Cage\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 22 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hiroyuki Sanada as \u201cScorpion\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Adeline Rudolph as \u201cKitana\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tati Gabrielle as \u201cJade\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat 2,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(L-R) Jessica McNamee as \u201cSonya Blade\u201d, and Karl Urban as \u201cJohnny Cage\u201d in New Line Cinema\u2019s \u201cMortal Kombat 2,\u201d a Warner Bros. Pictures release.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In an interview with IGN, Huang revealed the eight-month prep work for his return as Kung Lao, this time as a villain, and his fight with Ludi Lin. He told us that he actually trained with a shaolin monk to help him get into character (in the games Kung Lao and Liu Kang are Shaolin monks). \u201cI wanted to give Kung Lao more depth and I wanted to bring him back to his origin,\u201d Huang explained.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Preparing for the fight, the pair used an iPhone to record each other while trying to capture the same framing for all the movements we see in the movie. Huang and Lin filmed their fight scene for a solid week. Huang, who performed almost all his own stunts, called the experience \u201cbrutal.\u201d At one point \u2014 day six, he said \u2014 he was lying on the floor and was meant to get up, but just couldn\u2019t. \u201cI was like, okay, I just need one minute,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">But his experience filming Mortal Kombat is a cake walk compared to his decade-long work as a member of the great Jackie Chan\u2019s stunt team. \u201cIn China, we used to have sometimes 16-18 hour days of nonstop working, and you would be lucky if there was coffee around on set. It&#8217;s just like, \u2018Boom, boom, boom, one shot after another. And I feel like when I come to Hollywood, it&#8217;s almost like a vacation to be honest. You work with Jackie Chan and you&#8217;re not surprised by any other action design or action team.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-313219616\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/2026\/05\/09\/rev-1-mk2-tp2-005-high-res-jpeg-1778364298550.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"null\" class=\"progressive-image article-image article-image-full-size jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/a><figcaption data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 jsx-479945570 article-image-caption\">Kung Lao and Liu Kang face off in Mortal Kombat II. Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">On screen, Kung Lao effortlessly interacts with his hat, commanding it as if with his mind. It moves extremely quickly; as a viewer it\u2019s sometimes hard to keep up, but the hat makes the fight truly special. Of course, mastering the hat took a great deal of work. Thankfully for Huang, his background in Chinese kung fu gave him a natural advantage.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cThe philosophy in Chinese martial arts is always to enhance the weapon as part of your body,\u201d Huang explained. \u201cAnd I try to do the same with the hat. The approach was to bring it all together and make the hat become part of Kung Lao instead of being separate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Huang distanced himself from the well-trodden idea that performing in fight scenes is like performing in a dance. Indeed, he insisted fight scenes aren\u2019t even choreographed, when it comes down to it. \u201cIt&#8217;s actually the opposite and it&#8217;s very spontaneous,\u201d he said. \u201cIt&#8217;s very reactive out of the moment. If you look at the UFC, you never know what the next moment will give you. There&#8217;s always a surprise that lies ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Instead, Huang tries to find \u201cthe truth of the moment\u201d within his action scenes, rather than fuss over carefully choreographed movements. \u201cI&#8217;m not really interested in choreography to be honest with you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cI&#8217;m more interested in the connection between the two characters and what it is about,\u201d Huang continued. \u201cWhat do we want to express? I think that&#8217;s part of the reason why this scene works so well, because instead of just moving in a fancy way, this fight is telling a story.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2021719738 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">When you\u2019re playing Kung Lao, you don\u2019t just have to prepare physically, you have to do your video game research. For Huang, that came before he filmed 2021\u2019s Mortal Kombat, and it revolved around Mortal Kombat 11. He looked at Kung Lao in that game, settled on his top five iconic movements, and studied those to capture the essence of the character\u2019s style.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Based on what we&#8217;re treated to on-screen, all the hard work has paid off. \u201cA huge amount of time went into this one,\u201d Huang said of Mortal Kombat II&#8217;s Liu Kang and Kung Lao fight, \u201cbut I am personally pretty happy with the result. It\u2019s probably the best fight scene I&#8217;ve done so far. It\u2019s the fight of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em><strong>Warning!<\/strong><\/em><em> Spoilers for Mortal Kombat II follow:<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">At this point, we\u2019ll veer into spoiler territory for Mortal Kombat II. Liu Kang ends up using Kung Lao\u2019s hat against him, tearing the Revenant in half in typically gory fashion. Eventually, Liu Kang seemingly  ascends to godhood \u2014 something that won&#8217;t surprise anyone who\u2019s played recent Mortal Kombat video games \u2014 and he vows to rescue his old friend from the afterlife (this is Mortal Kombat, it\u2019s probably best not to dwell on logic).<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The upshot is Kung Lao will return for Mortal Kombat III, and Liu Kang\u2019s rescue act will be one of the main storylines in the sequel. Poor Kung Lao doesn\u2019t have a particularly impressive survival rate; he died in each of the Mortal Kombat movies so far. It\u2019s safe to assume Kung Lao will get another go in Mortal Kombat III, but what does Huang want to see happen to his character?<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cWell, first of all, I hope that he doesn&#8217;t suffer another death!\u201d Huang said, keeping his cards close to his chest. \u201cGive him a break, let him live for a second. But yeah, there&#8217;s so many possibilities where this whole franchise can go.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"poll-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<section class=\"box-wrapper jsx-2673806401\">\n<div class=\"card jsx-1339469126 jsx-1355461925 box jsx-2627838217 poll-content-block\" data-cy=\"poll-content-block\">\n<fieldset class=\"answers jsx-332304107\" role=\"radiogroup\" aria-labelledby=\"poll-question\">\n<legend class=\"stack jsx-2624643483 jsx-4192417768\"><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442\"><\/p>\n<h2 data-cy=\"poll-question\" class=\"title2 jsx-1903782357 jsx-1377259516 headline\" id=\"poll-question\">Which Mortal Kombat movie is the best?<\/h2>\n<p><\/span><\/legend>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer highlight\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66277\" id=\"answerId66277-label\"><span class=\"label\">Mortal Kombat (1995)<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1945348876\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66278\" id=\"answerId66278-label\"><span class=\"label\">Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997)<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66279\" id=\"answerId66279-label\"><span class=\"label\">Mortal Kombat (2021)<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66280\" id=\"answerId66280-label\"><span class=\"label\">One of the animated ones.<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66281\" id=\"answerId66281-label\"><span class=\"label\">I&#8217;m waiting for Mortal Kombat II!<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2624643483 jsx-4255654680 poll-controls\"><button class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-2267841559 contained disabled full-width large\" disabled type=\"submit\" data-cy=\"poll-answer-btn\">Answer<\/button><button class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button jsx-3381835873 jsx-1624977611 nav next-button small\" title=\"See Results\" aria-label=\"See Results\" data-cy=\"see-results-btn\"><span style=\"white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-align:right\">See Results<\/span><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-4173866675\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" aria-label=\"See Results\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">With Mortal Kombat III already in the works, perhaps the powers that be will also consider spinoffs. If that happens, Huang \u2014 like Lin \u2014 would love to see a Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks film. This would be an exciting prospect for fans considering Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is a video game spinoff itself. The 2005 action adventure game sees players control the eponymous Shaolin monks Liu Kang and Kung Lao as they protect Earthrealm from the forces of Outworld. It&#8217;s easy to see a movie version do much the same, while fleshing out both characters&#8217; backstories.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">\u201cSomething that I personally would love to explore would be a Shaolin Monks spinoff,\u201d Huang said. \u201cLudi has talked about it. I&#8217;ve been talking about it. It would be great to see those two characters&#8217; origins and how they were raised by Bo&#8217; Rai Cho and trained and exploring the White Lotus. Yeah, the lore of Mortal Kombat is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">After his performance in Mortal Kombat II, Max Huang might just get his wish.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">For more, check out IGN\u2019s <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/mortal-kombat-ii-2-movie-review\">Mortal Kombat II review<\/a>. And once you\u2019re done with that, check out <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/mortal-kombat-ii-movie-burning-questions-how-arcana-became-franchises-midichlorians\">the biggest burning questions we have going into Mortal Kombat III<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures.<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most who have seen the recently released Mortal Kombat II agree: the fight between Liu Kang and Kung Lao is the best in the movie. Liu Kang, played by Ludi Lin, and Kung Lao, played by Max Huang, are in full martial arts movie star mode as they zip about a big screen adaptation of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-1929045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1929045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1929045"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1929045\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1929045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1929045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1929045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}