Warner Bros reimagine Mortal Kombat TV spot from 1993 with Dave Bautista

By Dom Smith
By Dom Smith August 29, 2023 Culture, News

Warner Bros. Games today debuted an all-new live action launch trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, the next installment in the acclaimed videogame franchise developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, releasing on 19 Sept. Entitled “It’s In Our Blood,” the new launch spot directed by Tom Kuntz with cinematography by Academy Award nominee Matthew Libatique (A Star Is Born) pays homage to the klassic “Mortal Monday” commercial that appeared in 1993 and marked a cultural moment for the hit game series.

In a reimagining of the iconic television spot that first aired 30 years ago, the trailer features actor and producer Dave Bautista amassing people from all walks of life and empowering them to unleash the fight within. Bautista’s role mirrors that of Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 1, who has created a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe and must bring together champions from across the realms to fight and protect his vision.

“I vividly remember the original Mortal Monday commercial, especially the iconic scream,” said Bautista. “That’s what started my journey as a fan of Mortal Kombat, which continues to this day 30 years later. I’m very thrilled and honored to be a part of the game’s legacy.”

“The original Mortal Monday commercial earmarked the beginning of our journey into making games for home gaming systems,” said Ed Boon, Chief Creative Officer, NetherRealm Studios and Co-Creator of Mortal Kombat. “It’s amazing to pay homage to such a memorable moment in Mortal Kombat history as we get ready to launch our newest game, Mortal Kombat 1.”

Mortal Kombat 1 is the latest installment in the acclaimed Mortal Kombat videogame franchise developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios and introduces a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe set in a new story with iconic heroes and villains reimagined as they’ve never been seen before. The game features a wide-ranging cast of legendary fighters with all-new backstories, including Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Smoke, Rain, Li Mei, Tanya, Baraka, Geras, Reptile, Ashrah, Havik, General Shao, Sindel, and more, along with a separate roster of Kameo Fighters who can assist during matches.

Mortal Kombat 1 is scheduled to launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam & Epic Games Store) on 19 Sept. Playable characters Quan Chi, Ermac, and Takeda, along with guest fighters Peacemaker, Omni-Man, and Homelander will be featured in the post-launch downloadable content (DLC) Kombat Pack, which is available now for pre-order as part of the Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition and Kollector’s Edition. All Mortal Kombat 1 pre-orders will receive Shang Tsung as an in-game playable character.

To learn more about Mortal Kombat 1, please visit MortalKombat.com or join the community conversation on Instagram (@MortalKombat), TikTok (@MortalKombat), Twitter (@MortalKombat), Twitch (NetherRealm), YouTube (Mortal Kombat), Facebook (MortalKombat), Discord (MortalKombat), or Reddit (MortalKombat).

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