‘In Limbo’: ‘Mortal Kombat 3’ Faces Deep Uncertainty as Director Hints at Exit Following Underwhelming Box Office

LOS ANGELES — The future of the Mortal Kombat live-action cinematic universe has been thrown into serious doubt following a sobering update from franchise director Simon McQuoid.

Speaking in a recent interview following the theatrical run of Mortal Kombat II, McQuoid admitted that a third instalment remains unconfirmed by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, while strongly hinting that he may step away from the helm entirely to pursue other projects.

The uncertainty arrives despite screenwriter Jeremy Slater having already completed the script for Mortal Kombat 3 in March, as studio executives weigh up the franchise's long-term commercial viability after the sequel struggled to make an impact at the global box office.

‘I’m Not Sure’: McQuoid Casts Doubt on Sequel

When asked directly whether Warner Bros. had formally greenlit Mortal Kombat 3 or if he intended to return to the director's chair, McQuoid offered a hesitant assessment of where the project currently stands.

"I think it's still going through its life cycle. So I don't know yet. I'm not sure," McQuoid revealed. "I feel like there are other stories that I want to tell that aren't necessarily in 'Mortal Kombat', and I have multiple things in development, one of which we're just casting now... something that is in the real world and very much a deep dive into a singular character study."

While McQuoid insisted he "never wants to close doors", his pivot toward non-franchise material represents the most concerning signal yet for fans hoping for an immediate third chapter.

Box Office Struggles vs. Streaming Lifeline

Released in cinemas in May 2026 after an extended five-year gap following the 2021 original, Mortal Kombat II introduced fan-favourite characters such as Johnny Cage (played by Karl Urban) and Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) alongside returning leads Lewis Tan and Ludi Lin.

However, despite receiving warmer critical feedback than its predecessor, the sequel failed to generate significant theatrical momentum.

Mortal Kombat II grossed approximately $129.5 million (£101 million) globally against a reported production budget of $80 million (£62 million). When factoring in international marketing and distribution expenses, the tally fell significantly short of Warner Bros.' theatrical profit projections.

Much like the 2021 reboot, which grossed $84 million during pandemic-era restrictions, the sequel has found its strongest secondary audience on home formats. Following its digital debut on Max in late July, Mortal Kombat II surged to the top of streaming charts in 56 countries.

Box Office Comparison — Modern 'Mortal Kombat' Films

A Completed Script Waiting in the Wings

The halt in momentum is particularly frustrating for the creative team given that pre-production planning for the threequel was well advanced.

Screenwriter Jeremy Slater began work on Mortal Kombat 3 in late 2025 following enthusiastic early feedback from studio executives, finishing the draft in early spring. Slater previously confirmed that the third story was designed to center around Ludi Lin’s Liu Kang and resolve core narrative threads left open at the conclusion of the second film.

Whether Warner Bros. chooses to greenlight Mortal Kombat 3 with a reduced budget or pivot the property toward streaming-exclusive releases remains to be seen. For now, the realm of Earthrealm finds itself locked in cinematic limbo.