Like superhero comics, fighting game franchise is packed full of complicated continuity involving resurrections, reincarnations, and revivals of characters, and Sub-Zero actor Joe Taslim doesn’t see why this practice can’t make its way into the new live-action movies. In an interview with , Taslim detailed the ways he thinks Sub-Zero can live on should Mortal Kombat see a sequel or prequel.
For those of you who haven’t sat down and watched the new Mortal Kombat movie just yet–spoilers alert–the villainous Sub-Zero does not survive the film. The ice-based fighter meets his end after a climactic confrontation with the resurrected Scorpion, who returns to settle an old score. This particular plotline is adapted based on stories from the video games, but in the games, Sub-Zero’s death results in his transformation into Noob Saibot.
“That’s the next transformation for the character,” Taslim explained. “If the fans want this franchise to continue, then there’s a strong chance that the next step for Bi-Han is to play Noob Saibot. Fingers crossed, but I hope it happens because I definitely want to play that character.”
This would also open the door for a new Sub-Zero to enter the fray, seeing as Bi-Han becoming Noob Saibot would make room for his brother, Kuai Liang, to become the new Sub-Zero, which Taslim likes. “Yeah, I like that idea. If they do a sequel, then we are probably going to see Noob Saibot. If they do a prequel, then we would get to see two future Sub-Zeros in one movie, and that would be intriguing.”
However, for as enthusiastic as Taslim is about taking Sub-Zero on the journey to Noob, he’s just as invested in a potential prequel which could explore more of his pre-Sub-Zero existence as the ninja Bi-Han. “The most interesting path, in my opinion, is to do a prequel,” Taslim said. “It would be a story about Bi-Han and his training in the Lin Kuei. When he got abducted by the Lin Kuei, his parents were killed. So it would be the process of him and his brother becoming assassins.”
Of course, either outcome would likely be fulfilling for Taslim’s 10-year-old son, who Taslim said is a huge fan of both Mortal Kombat and Sub-Zero. When Taslim asked which character he ought to play in the film, his son’s immediate answer was Sub-Zero, which made Taslim believe his casting was “meant to be.”
Mortal Kombat is currently streaming on HBO Max.
