Warner Bros. is already planning the next chapter of its Mortal Kombat film series. During the New York Comic Con panel for the upcoming Mortal Kombat II, screenwriter Jeremy Slater confirmed that a third installment is officially in development, signaling the studio’s confidence in the growing franchise.

Slater, who wrote Mortal Kombat II, told the audience that New Line and Warner Bros. had asked him to begin work on Mortal Kombat III ahead of the sequel’s release. “Our friends at New Line and Warner Bros. are so happy with this movie,” Slater said. “They are so excited, they are so convinced that there is a giant fanbase waiting for it, they’ve already hired me to start writing the next installment.”

The decision marks an unusual step for a major studio, as Mortal Kombat II has not yet reached audiences and remains unseen outside the studio. The sequel is currently scheduled to premiere on May 16, 2026, after being moved from its original fall 2025 date. Director Simon McQuoid said the delay was not a setback but a deliberate choice to position the film as a summer tentpole release. He described the project as gaining momentum with every internal screening, calling it “a massive summer blockbuster” designed to kick off the season.

The sequel features both familiar faces and new additions to the cast. Returning actors include Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, and Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero. They are joined by Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, Tati Gabrielle as Jade, and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn.

At New York Comic Con, Warner Bros. screened a behind-the-scenes featurette and the first extended look at an action sequence featuring Johnny Cage, Baraka, Liu Kang, Sonya, and Jax. The footage hinted at new alliances forming to confront the villain Shao Kahn and showcased a darker visual tone crafted for IMAX presentation. McQuoid said the creative team aimed to expand the world introduced in the first film while maintaining the intensity and visual spectacle that define the series.

The studio’s early commitment to Mortal Kombat III suggests long-term plans for a sustained cinematic universe. While no release window or director has been confirmed, industry observers expect McQuoid to return to complete the trilogy. Slater, whose previous credits include Moon Knight and The Umbrella Academy, said the studio’s confidence comes from its belief in the franchise’s dedicated fanbase and the internal response to the sequel.

Plot details for Mortal Kombat III remain unknown, but fans speculate that the story may draw inspiration from the classic video game Mortal Kombat 3, which follows Outworld’s invasion of Earthrealm under Shao Kahn’s rule.