Spoilers for Mortal Kombat (2021) are below!
How is Kano back for another fight in Mortal Kombat II? The rollout of marketing material for the Mortal Kombat sequel started with a fake Johnny Cage movie trailer. The next day, that was followed by the release of the official trailer for the sequel to the fighting game adaptation. The Mortal Kombat II trailer offered fans introductions to new characters, visuals in line with the games, and even the gory kills audiences have come to expect.
However, the Mortal Kombat sequel also features the return of Kano in the trailer, which may have some fans wondering how. While returning characters like Jax, Sonya Blade, and Scorpion are a welcome sight, some may be scratching their heads over the inclusion of Kano, whose fate was seemingly sealed in the 2021 film. So, how is Kano back for Mortal Kombat II?
Related
26 Best Mortal Kombat Characters Of All Time
Out of all Mortal Kombat characters, the best of them have tested their might to become champions.
Mortal Kombat had a tall order when it hit theaters in 2021. The movie is based on a beloved fighting game series, with many having their favorite characters, or even iterations of those characters, and it was a reboot of the film series that kicked off in the 1990s, leaving an indelible mark, even if reviews were mixed at best. Still, the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie came out swinging, featuring character interpretations that fans loved, like Raiden, Mileena, and Liu Kang. Whether a game fan or not, Josh Lawson’s performance as Kano stood out.
Kano has been a character in the Mortal Kombat games since the first entry in 1992. His look and representation have shifted over the years, with even the 1995 movie having swayed following its release. One steadfast attribute is always his laser eye, which is often accompanied by a metal plate on his face. Lawson brought Kano to life with a smarmy charm. He was far from a good person, but his humorous demeanor and antics endeared him to audiences.
Still, with all Kano’s darkly charming ways, he met his end at the hands of Sonya Blade, who stabbed him through the eye after a fight. While this disappointed many, as he became a favorite presence for fans to see on screen, Mortal Kombat was that much better thanks to Lawson’s performance. However, as is commonplace in the games, characters meet bloody fates only to return for another fight.
It would have been a safe assumption for non-game fans to think that Kano would not be returning for Mortal Kombat II following his death. The trailer focuses on Johnny Cage, utilizing Karl Urban’s movie star character as the central protagonist of the sequel, so that fans can access the story. This is a change from the character the 2021 Mortal Kombat fabricated, Cole, which many fans took issue with, especially given the game’s eclectic roster. Other highlights feature fatalities, teases of game-accurate areas, and even infamous catchphrases. However, the trailer also features Lawson’s return as Kano.
Kano exchanges a few words with Johnny Cage, and he even uses his laser eye in a fight. However, those unfamiliar with the games may have been taken aback by the reveal. Mortal Kombat has lore surrounding the characters, the realms they inhabit, and even the tournaments, making Kano’s return possible, but any casual viewer may not be aware of these facts, making the moment stand out. However, with many accepting that the movie will likely explain Kano’s return, fans are just eager to see Lawson’s presence return for the sequel.
Thanks to the established lore of Mortal Kombat, Kano could easily return, making his appearance in the sequel another excellent opportunity for him to suffer another fatality. The NetherRealm and Mortal Kombat’s lore surrounding spirits could speak to Kano’s return. It is possible that Kano only appears when the others are in the NetherRealm, which looks to be a location they visit in the trailer. Lawson has even teased the character as “Kano 2.0,” hinting that it won’t quite be the same iteration fans remember from the first film. However, Kano may also be a vengeful spirit.
It is also possible that Kano was resurrected by Shang Tsung, allowing for the character to return from the dead. Shang Tsung has used his dark powers for necromancy in the past, with instances like resurrecting Sindel for Shao Kahn. It is possible that Kano was resurrected at the behest of another character. There is even the potential that Shang Tsung recognized that bringing him back could be a good way to get at other characters like Sonya, making his return more strategic because of his aptitude for fighting. While this remains to be seen, fans have speculated that it is the most likely explanation, especially given Shang Tsung’s role in the first Mortal Kombat.
While Mortal Kombat II has merely shared a first glimpse, the sequel has many details to reveal before its theatrical debut later this year. The film will likely explain Kano’s return, giving the character’s presence more context. However, until then, fans must rely on game lore to help fill in the blanks.
October 24, 2025
Simon McQuoid
Jessica McNamee
Sonya Blade
Josh Lawson
Revenant Kano
