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Mortal Kombat Director ‘Not Sure’ About Return for Third Movie as Mortal Kombat 3 Remains in Limbo
Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid has cast doubt on whether he will return to helm a potential third instalment, saying he is "not sure" about the project's future. Speaking to The Wrap, McQuoid was vague even on the film's basic status, noting it is "still going through its life cycle" despite screenwriter Jeremy Slater having confirmed he had begun work on the script back at New York Comic Con in 2025.
Mortal Kombat 2, released in May 2026 following a five-year gap after the 2021 original, underperformed at the box office, taking $63 million globally on its opening weekend and $129 million in total against a reported $80 million budget. McQuoid indicated he has other projects in development, including a non-Mortal Kombat character study currently in casting, though he stressed he has not ruled out returning. No release date has been set for Mortal Kombat 3.
In short
- Director Simon McQuoid uncertain about returning for Mortal Kombat 3
- Mortal Kombat 2 underwhelmed at box office despite $80m budget
- McQuoid is focused on other, non-franchise projects for now
Explained simply
Mortal Kombat began as a video game series in which fighters compete in a tournament, and it has since inspired films and other adaptations. The recent films are based on that world of rival fighters, powerful forces and long-running conflicts.
Simon McQuoid directed the 2021 film and its 2026 sequel. Screenwriter Jeremy Slater has said he began work on a possible third film’s script; whether it will be made, and who would direct it, remains uncertain.
The sequel’s box-office performance and the filmmakers’ other projects are part of the context for its future. A further film could continue the series’ story, but no release date has been announced.