what will happen to mortal kombat 3

Mortal Kombat 3 appears to be in development, but its future still depends on how well Mortal Kombat II performs for Warner Bros. and New Line. Current reporting says the third film has been written or is being written, yet it has not been fully guaranteed as a released movie.

What’s happening

• Warner Bros. reportedly moved ahead on a third installment before Mortal Kombat II even hit theaters, showing early confidence in the franchise.

• Jeremy Slater has said he was writing the script, and recent coverage says the draft has been close to completion.

• At the same time, coverage from June 2026 says the studio had not yet given a final green light, so the project is still not locked in.

Likely direction

• The third film is expected to continue the existing story rather than reboot it.

• Reported plot ideas include Liu Kang returning in some form, with the movie exploring whether he truly died or moved to another realm.

• There is also talk that Cole Young could return in a different form, though nothing is confirmed.

What could change it

• Box office performance of Mortal Kombat II is the biggest factor in whether Mortal Kombat 3 fully moves forward.

• Streaming and home-video results may also matter if theatrical results are weaker than expected.

• Some recent commentary suggests the franchise could also branch into spin-offs, including character-focused stories, even if the third movie slows down.

Bottom line

Right now, the safest answer is: Mortal Kombat 3 is being developed, but it is not yet a sure thing. If the sequel does well, the third movie likely moves ahead with the same continuity and a larger mythological story.