MovieChat Forums > Mortal Kombat (2021) Discussion > They omitted Johnny Cage because they di...

They omitted Johnny Cage because they didn't want a White main character, yet they made Kano a main character?

posted 3 years ago by [deleted]
21 replies | jump to latest

Seriously, what the hell were the writers thinking? I initially thought they just wanted an excuse to have less White characters (even though White characters in MK were in the minority to begin with) because Jax is the only Black character right now, in an effort to balance out representation or something.

But then they went ahead and bumped Kano up to main character status, and gave him all the humorous dialogue that Cage should've had. So what was the point of that statement? What was the point in changing up the main trio (Liu Kang, Johnny, and Sonya) with their fan-fic version?

How hard is it to make a Mortal Kombat movie in 2021? They already have the 1995 movie, the 2011 video game, and the 2020 animated movie as solid templates, but instead they felt the need to waste our time with all this pre-tournament filler stuff that could've easily been covered in flashbacks, with character-interaction moments to take up the rest of the non-action scenes.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8305) 3 years ago

Did you see the very end? It seems that they're holding Johnny Cage back to have a big character for the sequel.

[–] thenewnexus (1905) 3 years ago

Should have been in this movie

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8305) 3 years ago

Johnny Cage wouldn't have saved this movie; it would've only tarnished the character.

Only good writing and direction would've saved this film and it seems that Warner and New Line were fresh out of both.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Yes, I did. Saving Johhny Cage for some big character reveal doesn't explain that hot-take statement, nor does it make sense considering he's one of the starting characters like most of the main cast.

Why have Johnny in the sequel (if they ever make it) yet have some original guy as a main character?

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8305) 3 years ago

Probably to make sure they hold back enough heat that people will be interested in a second film. If they throw everything they have into this one, what's left for a sequel?

I'm not arguing that is, or is not, a wise strategy. I'm just saying that that seems to be the studio's idea.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

In that case have Shao Kahn be the big reveal, and it's not like I said for them to throw everything into one movie anyway. The first game had a pretty small roster, but even if the movie added a few more characters like the 1995 movie, there's still plenty more characters for fans to look forward to in a sequel.

If it was just their marketing strategy in order to tease a sequel, that'd be one thing; still makes no sense, but whatever. Even then, I remind you that they also said "it'd be weird to have a White guy as the main character", which apparently is what led them to omit Johnny Cage in this movie, only for them to have Kano - another White guy - as the main character.
So their choice to keep Cage out of this movie makes no sense no matter how you look at it. Johnny Cage is not someone you hype up for later since he's one of the starter characters, and if they had a problem with White people as main characters (which is racist), why make Kano a main character? Sure, there's Sonya Blade, but since she's a woman, I guess the studio gave her a pass.

[–] Mephariel (57) 3 years ago

I don't think Shao Kahn is anywhere near as big as Cage though. I think they need to save up some big hero characters for the sequel. Like Cage, Kitana for example.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I don't think Shao Kahn is anywhere near as big as Cage though.

Seriously? Shao Kahn? The guy that's served as the announcer in nearly all the games; declaring the victories, fatalities, finishers, and other classic quotes? The guy who's considered one of the toughest video game bosses of all time? The guy who's often considered the best villain in Mortal Kombat?

Kitana, sure, they can save her and the other ninja women for the sequel. Still doesn't make sense to save Johnny Cage for later, it's like people here are intentionally forgetting he's a starter character.

[–] cyguration (3856) 3 years ago

You're absolutely right, and agree with everything you said.

I was literally thinking the same thing when Kano had all the good dialogue, humor, and charisma that the main characters lacked.

[–] Alex (1478) 3 years ago

I should let you know that there were 2 writers attached to MK 2021. One of them had ZERO writing credit prior to this movie and the other only a couple of credits one of which was WW1984.
Even with a studio enforced new character like Cole Young, good writers would have managed to write a cohesive storyline.
Such a waste...

[–] TheArgentinian (6457) 3 years ago

Do you feel oppressed?

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Was that the intent?

[–] TheArgentinian (6457) 3 years ago

Yes, JC wasn't in the movie to oppress white men.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I forgot I'm talking to the resident troll. Nevermind, shoo.

[–] TheArgentinian (6457) 3 years ago

I'M the troll here? Bwahaha.

[–] Satan2016 (23435) 3 years ago

You're a Troll everywhere.

[–] Threadkiller (2954) 3 years ago

I think some people were needlessly triggered & reading too much into what seemed to be a silly, offhand comment by the writer/director to get more people talking about the movie, in regards to Johnny Cage & white male leads. As OP points out, with Kano upgraded to a main character the actual movie contradicts that idea.

[–] Kowalski (58729) 3 years ago

YOU THINK ABOUT MORTAL KOMBAT TOO MUCH.🤔

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I recently watched it 🤷🏼‍♂️

[–] galahadfairlight (414) 3 years ago

Bit over the top.

For a start, the humour and quips by Kano are not likely to be said by Cage.

Secondly, why have the same starting line up as the original movie?

Im presuming the mixture of different characters was nothing to do with diversity, but more so each character was easily distinguishable between othe characters, they want more than just MK fans, they want casual fans as well.

Chucking all the major characters in the first movie doesnt leave much scope for your sequel.

[–] TriumphReq (1857) 3 years ago

Why try to make sense out of this garbage? Most video game adaptations suck ass. I just hope Uncharted is as capable as the video game but I'm not going to hold my breath.