'Mortal Kombat II' Ending Explained: What Happened to Liu Kang & What Fate Awaits Cole Young?
Let's dive into the events that unfolded in the finale.
The second Mortal Kombat movie ended with an open ending and a hint at the "hellish" fights in the third installment. Raiden's team won, but not without casualties.
We'll find out what happened to the main characters and who will appear in the third installment.
How Will Raiden Resurrect the Dead?
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Raiden intends to resurrect the fallen warriors. To do so, he and his champions must penetrate the Netherrealm, a world of demons, monsters, and dark souls – it is there that Quan Chi draws his resurrection power.
Accompanying the God of Thunder are Johnny, Sonya, Kano, Kitana, Jade, and Baraka. They must rescue their friends and deal with the aftermath of the tournament.
As a reminder: Earthrealm has achieved its tenth victory over Outworld, however, that doesn't mean the enemy has calmed down.
Why Might Cole Young Not Return?
Cole's situation is more complex than that of the other deceased. The movie made it clear that the condition of the body affects the likelihood of resurrection. For instance, Kano's original eye could not be restored, so Quan Chi created a new one with a laser.
Shao Kahn threatened to crush the skull of Kitana's resurrected mother, Sindel, if the princess didn't obey him. Therefore, resurrecting someone with a shattered skull is difficult or impossible.
Shao Kahn killed Cole with a hammer blow to the head and threw his body into a pool of acid.
Fans of the franchise didn't like Cole Young because he was a new character. Perhaps director Simon McQuoid decided to get rid of him.
What Happened to Liu Kang?
Of all the death scenes, Liu Kang's is the most mysterious. After Shao Kahn dealt the champion a fatal blow, he didn't simply fall to the ground. Instead, he burst into flames and vanished like a phoenix. Beforehand, he said he would save Kung Lao.
Liu Kang's appearance harkens back to his history in the games, in which the warrior repeatedly died and was resurrected. He became an undead revenant and returned as a human.
The culmination of these transformations occurred in Mortal Kombat 11 when the revenant Liu Kang merged with the hero from the past. After the merger, he became the god of fire and time. God Liu Kang is often depicted covered in flames.
Will There Be 'Mortal Kombat III'?
Back in the fall of 2025, it was announced that Warner Bros. and New Line were planning to release Mortal Kombat III, in which Raiden's team travels to the Netherrealm to rescue their friends.
There, they may encounter Shinnok, the fallen elder god whose amulet played a pivotal role in the second game.
After the premiere, screenwriter Jeremy Slater clarified that the sequel would not feature another tournament but would retain traditional Mortal Kombat fights. Producer Todd Garner also hinted at the possibility of spinoffs.
