Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon has revealed his personal wishlist regarding future guest fighters for the legendary fighting game series. In a recent interview with Collider conducted during the promotional cycle for the Mortal Kombat 2 movie, Boon confirmed that NetherRealm Studios is already planning the next entry in the franchise, even if specific details remain shrouded in mystery.
The Ultimate Fighting Game Crossover?
During the discussion regarding potential guest fighters, Boon expressed a profound interest in bringing a Street Fighter character into the MK universe. For fans of the genre, such a crossover would represent perhaps the most significant event in gaming history, uniting two of the most iconic fighting franchises ever created.
"I would love to see a Street Fighter character in Mortal Kombat. I’m a huge fan of Street Fighter," Boon stated. He noted that while the studio has successfully integrated dark icons like the Joker, incorporating more characters from the DC or Marvel universes could provide incredible entertainment value.
The franchise has a storied history of hosting legendary guest stars, often drawing from high-octane action and horror cinema. Some notable past guests include:
- The Terminator
- Ghostface
- Rambo
While fans frequently dream of seeing Marvel icons like Deadpool or Wolverine join the roster, legal and licensing hurdles remain a significant factor. Additionally, integrating Street Fighter legends such as Ryu or Chun-Li would require a massive tonal shift, as these characters would have to endure the series' trademarkly gory fatalities.
Ed Boon Addresses the Mortal Kombat vs Street Fighter Rivalry
Beyond the prospect of guest fighters, Boon addressed the long-standing competitive tension between the two major franchises. This rivalry has fueled debates among gamers since the early 1990s and recently resurfaced following news of upcoming film projects for both series.
The tension was notably highlighted by Andrew Shultz—who portrays Dan Hibiki in the upcoming Street Fighter film—at the 2025 Game Awards. Shultz took a jab at the NetherRealm team, suggesting their absence from the ceremony was motivated by profit.
However, Boon downplayed any actual animosity, describing the rivalry as "fun" and insisting there are absolutely no hard feelings between the camps.
"At the end of the day, I think we'll see, when both films have been released, how they both did and stuff. But honestly, I'd love to see them both do well, just because there's an audience for more, which would be great," Boon told Collider.
The Future of Guest Characters in Mortal Kombat
While a Street Fighter character remains a high-concept dream, the path of least resistance for NetherRealm likely involves DC Comics. Because NetherRealm is owned by Warner Bros. Games, bringing in more DC talent is a much more feasible endeavor. With rumors swirling regarding Injustice 3, the infrastructure for massive DC crossovers already exists within the studio.
NetherRealm has proven they can manage high-profile crossovers effectively, as demonstrated by the 2008 release of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Whether the future holds a Marvel hero or a legendary martial artist from Capcom, the potential for new guest stars remains one of the most exciting elements of the franchise.
