After sharing a sneak peek during a recent episode of Hot Ones featuring Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon, Netherrealm Studios has released a new trailer today spotlighting the Jean-Claude Van Damme skin in Mortal Kombat 1.
The new trailer shows off Van Damme fighting a few characters, including Johnny Cage, the former being an alternative skin for the Mortal Kombat veteran that can only be unlocked if you purchase Premium/Kollector’s editions of the game. The costume the Van Damme skin wears even resembles the outfit worn in the 1988 film Bloodsport.
Van Damme becoming a playable character in the next installment in the Mortal Kombat franchise comes full circle as the character, dating back to the original Mortal Kombat game, when then developer Midway Games attempted to secure the license to use Van Damme’s likeness in their game but did not pan out at the time. The character Johnny Cage is inspired by the actor, with one of Cage’s special moves being the split-legged groin punch that Van Damme performs in the film Bloodsport.
“We tried a number of times going back and forth with [Van Damme],” Boon said during a recent episode of Hot Ones. “This time, we hit the lottery, and we got him. And we actually have his voice, and he’s going to be the Johnny Cage character.”
Mortal Kombat 1 is out on September 19. For more information, check out the recent reveal that series veteran Nitara is joining the roster (and is voiced by actress Megan Fox) and our interview with Boon at gamescom last month. Or the live-action trailer featuring Dave Bautista that also pays homage to the iconic Mortal Monday TV commercial.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.