Mortal Kombat producer Todd Garner explains why Johnny Cage isn't the main hero in upcoming film
The April 16 release date for the new live action Mortal Kombat film is now less than a month away, and while we Kombat fans have been growing more and more hype with just about every new detail that gets revealed, many have been stuck on the fact that Johnny Cage, one of the franchise's most recognizable faces, is nowhere to be seen.
In a recent interview with Inverse producer Todd Garner opened up a bit about Cage and the decisions they've made regarding character choice for the 2021 film.
With nearly three decades of development, the Mortal Kombat franchise has more than a few iconic characters to potentially feature. Of course, it's impossible to give ample screen time to very many and simultaneously try to develop a captivating story, and it appears as though Johnny Cage just wound up missing the cut.
"We have to, by the end of the movie, get everyone caught up," says Garner. "So if they let us make another [film], then we can start really digging into the characters.”
The fighters of Mortal Kombat all have fairly lengthy stories and personalities of their own at this point, and developers dare not stray too far from what's established lest they be mobbed by angry fans.
Bringing in a fresh face as they're doing with newcomer Cole Young, means a lot less restriction and a lot more opportunity for someone to play chorus and ask the questions less knowledgeable audience members are all but certainly asking.
It's not to say that Johnny would have been the central hero of the story if he were part of the lineup this time around (he hasn't been officially disconfirmed yet, but the writing does seem to be on the wall), but Garner does note that he really wouldn't want Cage, being a white male actor, to be the central focus.
"I feel like if I was getting to make a movie with a diverse cast, it felt weird to have a white actor, literally Johnny Cage, be the hero of the story," he states.
The film's current lineup does indeed boast a diverse cast, and many associated with the project, including Garner, have highlighted this fact as one of their biggest overall successes.
Be sure to check out the full Inverse article with quotes from Garner as they specify further details and give a few lines about the first 13 minutes of the film, which was recently released to select outlets as sneak peek.
You'll be able to catch Mortal Kombat in theaters and on HBO Max on April 16.
