Mortal Kombat 1 supposedly wanted to employ several other Hollywood actors for its roster. Learn more about why it didn't happen, Megan Fox's performance as Nitara, and fans' reception.
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Ed Boon's Vision For Mortal Kombat 1
Bring in More Hollywood Involvement
There have been a lot of grand plans for video games that were never realized. Ed Boon's vision, co-creator of the legendary Mortal Kombat series, had one such unfulfilled grand plan. Boon allegedly considered hiring even more known Hollywood actors to provide voices for each character in Mortal Kombat 1. Keanu Reeves was one of the actors considered for the role of Kenshi. However, the harsh realities of budget limits and the availability of these famous personalities quickly met this lofty goal.
Ed Boon Considered Keanu Reeves for a Mortal Kombat 1 Role
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, series co-creator Ed Boon stated that Mortal 1 was initially intended to have more Hollywood involvement. Boon mentioned that he previously considered having every character performed by a prominent actor, such as Cyberpunk 2077's Keanu Reeves voicing Kenshi while discussing the tale behind Mortal Kombat 1's Jean Claude Van Damme skin. He soon concluded that this wasn't financially or logistically possible.
Hollywood stars lending their skills to a video game is an effective marketing strategy, but the outcomes are mixed. Although having a Hollywood powerhouse behind a character is undeniably alluring, this support does not necessarily result in seamless integration, commercial success, or enthusiastic reception.
Megan Fox's Nitara: A Missed Opportunity
An example of this gap is the inclusion of Megan Fox as Nitara in Mortal Kombat 1. Fox's involvement was expected to bring a fresh perspective to the character. However, the final result left many fans dissatisfied.
Critics decried Fox's performance as bland and unemotional, suggesting a missed opportunity to imbue Nitara with the nuance and dynamism the character deserved. This instance highlighted the delicate balance required when aligning the distinct demands of cinematic and gaming experiences.
Fox's performance has been compared to Ronda Rousey, who portrayed Sonya Blade from Mortal Kombat 11. Critics and fans alike were divided on Rousey's portrayal, with some commending her for infusing Sonya with a new level of physicality. Several others, meanwhile, lamented a perceived lack of emotional depth in her delivery.
It was a risky and ambitious move to try to give Mortal Kombat 1 the celebrity power of Hollywood stars. Due to financial and logistical limitations, it was ultimately deemed to be impractical. However, the legacy of this idea can still be seen in how future episodes in the series have been received by critics.
