History Trivia / MortalKombatTheMovie

* CastTheExpert:

** Creator/LindenAshby had athletic training, but was more familiar with boxing before the movie.
** Chris Casamassa was originally just a stunt double, but the crew was impressed and cast him as Scorpion.

** Creator/LindenAshby actually did a lot of the fighting himself, and according to cast and crew members, he got injured a lot as a result.
** Bridgette Wilson-Sampras performed all her own stunts (refusing to use a double), including the fight scenes. She dislocated her shoulder during one scene, but they were able to fix it on set, without any recurrence. Especially impressive since, unlike Robin Shou and Linen Ashby, she had no prior fight training.

** Bridgette Wilson-Sampras performed all her own stunts (refusing to use a double), including the fight scenes. She dislocated her shoulder during one scene, but they were able to fix it on set, without any recurrence.

* TropeNamers: The name of YourSoulIsMine derives from Shang Tsung's CatchPhrase in this film.

** Liu Kang and Sub-Zero's stances before their fight -- which are totally different from the games -- [[https://www.facebook.com/blogMKBR/posts/pfbid02VRmk929L7DpyTHoAdsUPWLCRmD56kxR4wMZtJNFPk26c3QmT32Dff2L2TTprdVBql were taken from a photo made during the motion capture of MK2.]]

** Liu Kang and Sub-Zero's stances before their fight -- which are totally different from the games -- [[https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02VRmk929L7DpyTHoAdsUPWLCRmD56kxR4wMZtJNFPk26c3QmT32Dff2L2TTprdVBql&id=100044740221373&post_id=100044740221373_pfbid02VRmk929L7DpyTHoAdsUPWLCRmD56kxR4wMZtJNFPk26c3QmT32Dff2L2TTprdVBql&mibextid=Nif5oz were taken from a photo made during the motion capture of MK2.]]

* DevelopmentGag: Kitana's presence in this movie is this -- aside from the more obvious AdaptationalEarlyAppearance, since she debuted in ''[=MK2=]'' -- because when ''[=MK1=]'' was being developed, her prototype character, named Kitsune, was going to be in the game as the daughter of Shang Tsung, but was scrapped from the final version.

* AwesomeDearBoy: Creator/ChristopherLambert's appearance as Raiden was essentially unpaid, with the actor even having to cover his own room, board, and travel expenses, but he did it anyway because he thought the movie was cool and was having fun making it.

** Goro was physically portrayed by Tom Woodruff, Jr. and voiced by Creator/KevinMichaelRichardson, both of whom were uncredited; Welker being the only one billed for the role much like with Shao Khan.

-->'''Goro''': Johnny Cage...
-->'''Johnny''': Don't you owe me some sunglasses?
-->'''Goro''': [[PreAssKickingOneLiner Here's what you're owed!]]

-->'''Sheeva''': I recall Goro crushing your eyewear.\\
'''Johnny''': He broke $500 sunglasses!\\
'''Sheeva''': He should have crushed your skull.
** Kano's entire personality as a larger-than-life Australian gangster with a thing for Sonya was more or less created by Trevor Goddard and [[RetCanon embraced by audience and developers alike]]. From then on, the games portrayed Kano as Australian and gave him Goddard's beard and CarpetOfVirility from the movie, in contrast to the bald Japanese-American gangster from the original game. ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' used the bald look for the young Kano and the bearded look for the future older Kano.

** The original screenplay for the film was more faithful to the games, in that it had graphic violence and strong language making it a R rated script. However, the deal that the producers had with New Line Cinema included that they deliver a PG-13 movie to keep the film accessible to the target audience (mostly teenagers).

** Francois Petit, who plays Sub-Zero and does all of his gymnastic stunts etc, was also a legendary BackAlleyDoctor[=/=]chiropractor of sorts who would work with Wrestling/{{WWE}} after this movie, and fix wrestlers up after matches if they injured themselves. Stories of his alleged antics include popping the shoulder of Wrestling/MickFoley back in after his first fall in the infamous Wrestling/KingOfTheRing Wrestling/HellInACell match, and doing open heart surgery with his ''bare hands''; according to Wrestling/VinceRusso he was also once in a drag-race with Creator/WarrenBeatty.

-->'''Liu Kang:''' You can't run from me, Shang!
-->'''Shang Tsung:''' I don't need to run!

* PracticallyDifferentGenerations: Not in the sense of canon, but in the real life sense of the actors Robin Shou and Steven Ho. While Liu Kang and Chan's ages are never specified in the plot, the actors and their ages are barely identifiable unless the audience knew how old both actors were at the time. Robin Shou was in his mid 30s when he played the part for Liu Kang. Steven Ho, however, was in his early 20s when played Chan. Meaning that there was 10 to 15 year gap between the two actors.

* StarMakingRole: Robin's journey to become the Chosen One on the Hollywood Silver Screen... all started when he took the role of Liang in a Lifetime TV Film in which he made love to [[Series/LittleHouseOnThePrairie Half Pint]] named ''Film/ForbiddenNights''... Don't worry, ItMakesSenseInContext. As it turns out, Marcia Ross, the casting director of the TV Film and a good friend of Robin Shou, had a friend that called Robin immediately after he finished ''Film/TheMostWanted'' in Hong Kong and returned back to L.A. This ended up being the CareerResurrection he need as he was done being in BMovie Hong Kong films. An exerpt from Robin after he finished his Main Villain role as Yip Foon in ''The Most Wanted'' revealed what lead up to the role as the Chosen one... as well as him audtioning with his mullet at the time.
--> Wow, this was my last film (''The Most Wanted'') in Hong Kong before I said, "enough it's enough." The reason? I didn't feel I was going anywhere. Not that I wasn't progressing as an actor, but the films were not the kind of films I want to do. I was tired of the same "cookie cutter" plots and action. I started to grow my hair. I didn't want to look like Creator/AndyLau or Creator/TonyLueng. They had the same clean cut 'pretty' pop star look. I was sick of it. I wanted to play characters not a pop star. I don't know where this rebellious mentality came from, but I was determined - even though I didn't know what the heck I really wanted.

--> Anyway, Kam Tin Wong called me in for an audition. I told myself I wasn't going to cut my hair...no matter what. I went in and Kam Tin Wong explained the character-- a bank robber from China who used an AK-47 and had killed several cops. I said okay, but I'm not cutting my hair. He looked at me for a few seconds and said, "Okay, you don't have to cut your hair." I said cool, I'll do it then.

--> Looking back, one of the main reason I did this film was Creator/KentCheng. He's an excellent actor and very talented. I always wanted to work with him. We got along really well. Even though he wasn't an action guy, he held his own. I was very impressed with his work attitude. I hope we can work together again one day.

--> Anyhow, back to, "I wasn't satisfied with myself or where I was going..." The whole point of leaving L.A. was to find myself. And here I was back at where I started. Well, the next logical thing was to go home. So I did. I wanted to take a little break to get away from filming. But, when I arrived in L.A., a Hollywood agent-- who is a friend of my very good friend, Marcia (the casting director from Forbidden Night) - called . He told me there was this project named "Mortal Kombat" and I should go audition because I would be perfect for the part of Lui Kang. So I did and the rest is history...

--> And, by the way, when the producer and casting director of "Mortal Kombat" saw me, their respond was, "I really like the hair".

--> Funny how things works out

** Many of Johnny Cage's one liners were ad libs by Creator/LindenAshby, including "Those were 500 dollar sunglasses, asshole!" During the fight with Scorpion, one kick to the back actually hurt Ashby as it landed on his shoulder blade, which is clearly shown in the movie.

** Goro was physically portrayed by Tom Woodruff, Jr. and voiced by Creator/KevinMichaelRichardson, both of whom were uncredited.

* StarMakingRole: Robin's journey to become the Chosen on the Silver Screen... all started when he took the role of a Lifetime TV Film in which he made love to [[Series/LittleHouseOnThePrairie Half Pint]] named ''Film/ForbiddenNights''... Don't worry, ItMakesSenseInContext. As it turns out, Marcia Ross, the casting director of the TV Film and a good friend of Robin Shou, had a friend that called Robin immediately after he finished ''Film/TheMostWanted'' in Hong Kong and returned back to L.A. This ended up being the CareerResurrection he need as he was done being in BMovie Hong Kong films. An exerpt from Robin finishing ''The Most Wanted'' revealed what lead up to the role as the Chosen one... as well as him audtioning with his mullet at the time.
--> Wow, this was my last film (''The Most Wanted'') in Hong Kong before I said, "enough it's enough." The reason? I didn't feel I was going anywhere. Not that I wasn't progressing as an actor, but the films were not the kind of films I want to do. I was tired of the same "cookie cutter" plots and action. I started to grow my hair. I didn't want to look like Andy Lau or Tony Lueng. They had the same clean cut 'pretty' pop star look. I was sick of it. I wanted to play characters not a pop star. I don't know where this rebellious mentality came from, but I was determined - even though I didn't know what the heck I really wanted.

--> Looking back, one of the main reason I did this film was Kent Cheng. He's an excellent actor and very talented. I always wanted to work with him. We got along really well. Even though he wasn't an action guy, he held his own. I was very impressed with his work attitude. I hope we can work together again one day.

* StarMakingRole: Robin's journey to become the Chosen on the Silver Screen... all started when he took the role of a TV Film in which he made love to [[Series/LittleHouseOnThePrairie Half Pint]] in the TV Film ''Film/ForbiddenNights''. As it turns out, Marcia Ross, the casting director of the TV Film and a good friend of Robin Shou, had a friend that called Robin immediately after he finished ''Film/TheMostWanted'' in Hong Kong and returned back to L.A. An exerpt from Robin revealed what lead up to the role... as well as him audtioning with his hairdo at the time.
--> I started to grow my hair. I didn't want to look like Andy Lau or Tony Lueng. They had the same clean cut 'pretty' pop star look. I was sick of it. I wanted to play characters not a pop star. I don't know where this rebellious mentality came from, but I was determined - even though I didn't know what the heck I really wanted.

** Many of Jonny Cage's one liners were ad libs by Creator/LindenAshby, including "Those were 500 dollar sunglasses, asshole!" During the fight with Scorpion, one kick to the back actually hurt Ashby as it landed on his shoulder blade, which is clearly shown in the movie.

** Creator/CameronDiaz was originally cast as Sonya. She broke her wrist while training and was replaced by Bridgette Wilson. Creator/ChristinaApplegate, Creator/DinaMeyer and Creator/SharonStone were also considered.

** Sonya was originally supposed to spare Kano in defiance of Shang Tsung. It was decided that this wasn't a satifying outcome.

* WrittenInInfirmity: Hakim Alston was in a motor cycle accident, the day before shooting his fight against Robin Shou, which severely damaged the skin on his hand. They had to go to great lengths to hide his injuries. For example, that's why it became a bo staff fight, so his hand would constantly be wrapped around something.

*** Referenced further in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' with Sheeva remembering it all too well. Made more meta when Linden Ashby's skin is chosen for Cage.
--->'''Sheeva''': I recall Goro crushing your eyewear.\\

** Referenced further in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' with Sheeva remembering it all too well. Made more meta when Linden Ashby's skin is chosen for Cage.
-->'''Sheeva''': I recall Goro crushing your eyewear.\\