Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon has shared his personal wishlist for future guest characters in the legendary fighting game series. In a recent interview with Collider, held during the promotional cycle for the Mortal Kombat 2 movie, Boon confirmed that NetherRealm Studios is already planning another Mortal Kombat entry, though specific details remain under wraps.

The Ultimate Fighting Game Crossover?

When discussing potential guest fighters, Boon expressed a deep interest in bringing a Street Fighter character into the MK universe. For fighting game enthusiasts, such a move would represent the most significant crossover in gaming history, uniting two of the most iconic franchises in the genre.

"I would love to see a Street Fighter character in Mortal Kombat. I’m a huge fan of Street Fighter," Boon stated. He also noted that while they have successfully integrated dark icons like the Joker, seeing more characters from the DC or Marvel universes could be incredibly entertaining.

The Mortal Kombat franchise has built a reputation for hosting legendary guest stars, often pulling from high-octane action and horror cinema. Notable past guests include:

  • The Terminator
  • Ghostface
  • Rambo

While the idea of Marvel icons like Deadpool or Wolverine joining the roster is a frequent fan dream, legal and licensing hurdles remain. Furthermore, integrating Street Fighter legends like 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 guest characters, Boon also addressed the long-standing competitive tension between the two franchises. This rivalry, which has fueled playground debates since the early 1990s, recently resurfaced following news of upcoming film projects for both series.

The tension was 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 driven by profit motives.

However, Boon downplayed any actual animosity, describing the rivalry as "fun" and insisting there are "no hard feelings."

"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

While a Street Fighter character remains a high-concept dream, the path of least resistance likely lies with DC Comics. Since NetherRealm is owned by Warner Bros. Games, bringing in more DC talent is much more feasible. With rumors swirling regarding Injustice 3, the infrastructure for a massive DC crossover already exists within the studio.

NetherRealm has proven they can handle high-profile crossovers effectively, as seen with the 2008 release of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Whether it is a Marvel hero or a legendary martial artist from Capcom, the potential for future guest stars continues to be one of the most exciting aspects of the franchise.