Mortal Kombat III Already in Development Following Strong Trailer Response to Mortal Kombat II
Warner Bros. Pictures is moving quickly to expand its Mortal Kombat film franchise. Just months after shifting the release date of Mortal Kombat II, the studio has already greenlit a third installment, with screenwriter Jeremy Slater returning to pen the script. The swift decision comes on the heels of a remarkably successful trailer launch for the upcoming sequel.
Early Script Progress and Game Origins
Producer Todd Garner revealed a photo on X (formerly Twitter) on March 1, 2026, showcasing a draft of the Mortal Kombat III script. The script, dated February 29, 2026, features Slater’s name and a partial logo resembling that of the original Mortal Kombat 3 game [Source: Todd Garner on X]. This suggests that production could begin rapidly if Warner Bros. Formally approves the project.
Trailer Success Drives Sequel Momentum
The decision to swift-track Mortal Kombat III is largely attributed to the positive reception of Mortal Kombat II’s trailer. The red-band trailer garnered 17 million views on YouTube within a few days of its release, surpassing the 12 million views the teaser trailer accumulated over seven months [Source: Deadline]. This performance set a new record for red-band trailer views, demonstrating significant fan interest.
Shifted Release Date and Creative Team
Mortal Kombat II was initially scheduled for release in October 2025 but was moved to May 15, 2026, to position it as a major summer blockbuster [Source: Deadline]. Director Simon McQuoid is returning to helm the sequel, following his work on the 2021 Mortal Kombat film. Jeremy Slater, known for his work on the “Moon Knight” series, penned the script for Mortal Kombat II and is now leading the development of the third film [Source: Polygon].
Franchise Background
The Mortal Kombat films are based on the popular video game franchise created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, which originated as a 1992 arcade game by Midway Games [Source: Deadline]. The series revolves around martial arts tournaments that determine the fate of realms like Earthrealm and Outworld.
Mortal Kombat II is set to premiere in cinemas, including IMAX, on May 8, 2026 [Source: Polygon].