Here in the United States, the James Wan-produced Mortal Kombat isn’t opening until April 23rd, and don’t forget that it’s coming to HBO Max on the same day it hits theaters. In the meantime, the Warner Bros./New Line movie was released overseas this past weekend, launching in 17 markets and punching its way to $10.7 million thus far.
According to Deadline, Mortal Kombat is currently playing on 4,596 total screens.
Deadline further details, “Russia led play with $6.1M (+10% on GVK‘s bow), opening as the biggest Hollywood title released during the pandemic with results tracking at pre-pandemic levels coming in 7% above Logan and 12% ahead of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Saudi Arabia ($691K), UAE ($689K), Thailand ($574K) and Taiwan ($554K) round out the Top 5.”
It’ll be interesting to see how Mortal Kombat performs here in the States next weekend, as it’s now been well over 20 years since the franchise has appeared on the big screen. The video game franchise, of course, continues to be mega popular, but will that success translate at the box office? And will the film’s availability on HBO Max hurt its box office chances?
If Godzilla vs. Kong is any indication, audiences are hungry to leave the house and return to theaters. A good sign for Mortal Kombat, which could be coming along at the perfect time.
In Mortal Kombat, ”MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage—or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao and rogue mercenary Kano, as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana—the immense power from within his soul—in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?”
The international cast includes Lewis Tan (“Deadpool 2,” Netflix’s “Wu Assassins”) as Cole Young; Jessica McNamee (“The Meg”) as Sonya Blade; Josh Lawson (“Bombshell”) as Kano; Tadanobu Asano (“Midway”) as Lord Raiden; Mehcad Brooks (TV’s “Supergirl”) as Jackson “Jax” Bridges; Ludi Lin (“Aquaman”) as Liu Kang; with Chin Han (“Skyscraper”) as Shang Tsung; Joe Taslim (“Star Trek Beyond”) as Bi-Han and Sub-Zero; and Hiroyuki Sanada (“Ringu”) as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion. Also featured are Max Huang as Kung Lao; Sisi Stringer as Mileena; Matilda Kimber as Emily Young; and Laura Brent as Allison Young.
The film is helmed by award-winning Australian commercial filmmaker Simon McQuoid.