The other day we got Mortal Kombat : Rebirth – a short film/teaser from a director trying to win the studio’s heart and support. The little movie has been an online viral force – in 24 hrs it garnered 1 million plus hits. Most of the online community reaction has been positive on this R-rated, dark take on the franchise.
Today, we get more details on the short film and on director Kevin Tancharoen’s vision for Mortal Kombat. Enjoy…
Some highlights:
* They shot the short film over two days on two RED cameras
* Started in early April and it took 2 months to do the post production. Most people donated their time. The short was made for $7,500
* Knew if he was going to get a chance at a genre picture, he’d have to show he could do it on his own. This is a calling card for a chance at making the next Mortal Kombat
feature film and it’s his vision for how he’d do it.* No one at any studio knew he was doing the short
* Oren Uziel wrote the short. He’s currently listed on IMDb to write the next Mortal Kombat movie at Warner Bros.
* Says he wants to make a movie that balances the real world with the mysticism and the special powers. Compares it to the way Harry Potter exists in two worlds. As in there
are two universes that coexist with each other.* Confirms “fatalities” are definitely in his movie. He wants to put them in the tournament in an “organic way”
* Definitely would use “get over here” (the classic line from the game)
* Michael Jai White plays Jax Briggs in the short and he’d definitely be a part of the feature.
* Says Scorpion is the bad guy and will stay a bad guy
* They only had 4 hours to shoot the big fight scene
I would give this guy a shot at this. I like his take on the whole thing. If I’m the studio, I would’ve already sat down with him, heard his whole take, and probably already signed him up. I mean, anybody else got a better idea? Anybody else out there doing something about bringing new life to this franchise? No. So, give him the job. I would.
What do you guys think? Do you like his vision for Mortal Kombat?
Does anyone here know of someone with any form of Ichthyosis?? This is disgusting and wrong. Ichthyosis is a rare genetic skin disease, not a lot of people are aware of it. This is NOT the kind of portrayal that is needed. It hurts to know if this is made into a movie and kids see it what their perception of someone with ichthosis will be. It is hard enough for kids (and adults)with this disease, they get made fun of and stared at. My 4 month old son has ichthyosis (not harlequins as with the short) but all the same it is hurtful.
I think that short 7 minutes were actually better than the past movies. So yes, definitely, I would love for him to make a full movie. Then again…just because the first 7 minutes are good, doesn’t mean the next 90 will be.
i like how he made everything realistic like nolan did with bb and dk. its still fantastical and video gamey/comic booky but it is grounded in as real a way as possible which makes it more dramatic and gripping. amazing short and a really cool vibe. ps i kinda liked mortal kombat annihilation…last time i saw it i was about 11 though.
saying that reptile has Harlequin type ichthyosis is a step too far towards gritty, a bit bad taste. Are they going to start saying Goro is conjoined twins?
I would think that he is a bad guy in the same way as Kratos in God of War is a bad guy.
* Says Scorpion is the bad guy and will stay a bad guy ????
Is he trying to say that Scorpion will be the main villian or that he will be a badass? Short made it seem like Scorpion will be the one going after the bad guys, although he isn’t a saint.
The short was great. Like you said, it balances fantasy and reality well, in some way you could compare it to the recent versions of Batman, but judging by the short, I strongly believe this will be a REBIRTH for this franchise. I see it going far.
Did I forget to mention the short was FREAKING AWESOME?!
… FREAKING AWESOME!!!
Actually if I was a producer, I would sign this up NOW.
The short was amazing, more gore than the others “Fisherprice” versions of MK, but heh.. it is a “Mortal Kombat” so..
I think everybody wants to do a good movie about a video game, this way of presenting a maybe-future one is excellent. You’ve got the critism from the fans, the non-fans and from the I-don’t-know-what-is-MK people. Plus, it’s not that expensive to do, it’s time saving and studios can make you offers. Isn’t that great??
I wasn’t really a fan of the short film, but I read this interview the other day and this gave me some hope. If anyone should do it, it’s this guy.
SING HIM UP!!!
i mean sign.. that short was awesome.
i think that short film is better than the actual movie from the 90’s
The short rocks make it just like that
I hope they keep the song from the 90’s films. I always like that.
I can dig it, If they stay with the animosity between scorpion and sub-zero, I think that would go well with MK fans. All I want though is a long fight scene like the one betweeen Reptile and Lou Kang.
sign him already, that short was better than both the movies hollywood put out. it was all that and a bag of cheetos.
I Thought that all the actors they chose to play each character fit perfectly! Especially Ian Anthony Dale who Plays Scorpion in the Short!!
Also, it sucks that studios are so critical on what they choose to finance. Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand that if they do finance the movie they are putting a lot of faith in a film that cause easily cause them to lose a TON of money (and that’s never good)
Not a bad take, kinda fits well with the announcement of a the New Mortal Kombat game recently announced. I didn’t really agree with Baraka and the dreadlocks, think he would’ve looked better with a shaved head. Also Reptile looked like a leper really. But hey if they do make a new MK movie make it rated R to reflect the violence of the game. Jai White as Jax is pretty spot on. Also Geri Ryan is always hot so can’t complain about her. I do like the vision and I would say if they do add all the superstition I say keep it down. With the way the video was potrayed it doesn’t really need to have all the supernatural surronding it.
agreed I like the vision