Warner Bros. Confirms Mortal Kombat 3 Movie Is Officially in Development

In a move that has both surprised and excited fans, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially confirmed that Mortal Kombat 3 is already in development — even before the release of Mortal Kombat 2. The announcement was quietly revealed during a recent fan event, where Mortal Kombat 2 screenwriter Jeremy Slater confirmed that he’s returning to pen the script for the upcoming third installment.

The Mortal Kombat film franchise has been on a rollercoaster ride since its 2021 reboot, which managed to bring the brutal fighting universe to a new generation of fans. Despite its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters during the pandemic, Mortal Kombat (2021) grossed over $84 million worldwide, proving there’s still a strong audience for the franchise’s mix of martial arts and supernatural combat.

Mortal Kombat 2 will continue the story, featuring returning cast members like Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade and Josh Lawson as Kano, alongside new faces including Karl Urban as the legendary Johnny Cage. While the film was initially slated for release on October 24, it has now been rescheduled for May 15, 2026, allowing for more post-production and visual effects work.

However, that delay hasn’t dampened the studio’s enthusiasm. During a panel at New York Comic Con 2025, Jeremy Slater revealed that Warner Bros. and New Line are already looking beyond the second film. “They believe the next movie will have a massive fan base waiting for it,” Slater said, hinting that the studios are preparing to expand the cinematic Mortal Kombat universe.

Unfortunately, this exciting update comes at a bittersweet time for long-time fans. On October 3, Dan Forden, the iconic audio director and the man behind the legendary “Toasty!” voice line, announced his departure from NetherRealm Studios after an incredible 37 years with the company and its predecessor, Midway Games. Forden stated he plans to take some time off to focus on personal projects, marking the end of an era for the Mortal Kombat legacy.

While Mortal Kombat 2’s release has been pushed back, fans won’t have to wait too long for their next fix. Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection — a remastered digital bundle including Mortal Kombat Anthologies: Sub-Zero and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 — will hit digital storefronts on October 30, with physical copies set to arrive on December 12.

With Mortal Kombat 2 already generating huge anticipation and Mortal Kombat 3 officially on the way, it’s clear that Warner Bros. is fully committed to expanding the cinematic universe of one of gaming’s most brutal and iconic franchises. Fans can expect more fatalities, more chaos, and even deeper lore in the years to come.