The Mortal Kombat Reboot May Have Found Its Director

We've yet to have the first truly great video game movie, with even the most promising of films failing to reach audiences. Assassin's Creed may finally be the one to buck the trend, but until then we're going to have to look ahead to what other project could claim that coveted title. What better adaptation to win the prize than the Mortal Kombat reboot, a property that's all about beating competitors to death? It's been in development for years, but now the reboot may have finally found a director.

As reported by Variety, New Line's Mortal Kombat reboot may have found its director in the form of Simon McQuoid. The Australian director is in early talks to helm the project, which will serve as a new introduction into the video game world of Mortal Kombat. Simon McQuoid's name may sound unfamiliar to you, but you've move than likely seen his work a dozen times over. McQuoid is one of the most in demand commercial directors out there, having done ads for high-profile brands like Samsung, Playstation, Duracell, Halo, and Dr. Pepper. The Mortal Kombat reboot would be the director's first feature film.

Originating as a fighting arcade game in the 90's, Mortal Kombat has since gone on to become one of the most popular video game brands in the world. It's spawned dozens of games in its series and has cemented itself in pop culture with its violent "Fatality" finishing moves. Known for being one of the bloodiest games in the business, Mortal Kombat features a slew of characters, often competing in a tournament to decide the fate of the world.

Paul W.S. Anderson directed the first Mortal Kombat movie in 1995, which went on to gross $70 million at the box office. The film featured fan favorite characters like Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, and Raiden competing in an interdimensional tournament to decide the safety of Earth. The film spawned one sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, which is panned by both critics and fans and effectively killed any future movies. Interest in a Mortal Kombat film was revitalized with Mortal Kombat: Legacy, a web series that offered a more grounded and modern take on the fantastical property.

Simon McQuoid is an interesting pick for the reboot. His commercials are typically equal parts imaginative and ambitious, with a healthy dose of special effects. Plus, they just look good, as you can see with his recent Rogue One themed Duracell commercial. You can see his other work (as well as a very cool fantasy short film called The Stone Forest) at his website here.