‘Mortal Kombat’ Reboot Finds Director in Simon McQuoid (EXCLUSIVE)
Simon McQuoid, best known for directing commercials, is in talks to helm the “Mortal Kombat” reboot for New Line.
James Wan is producing the movie, along with Michael Clear for Atomic Monster, and Todd Garner and Jeremy Stein through their Broken Road banner. Lawrence Kasanoff is executive producing. Greg Russo penned the most recent draft.
Based on the classic ’90s arcade game, “Mortal Kombat” has generated numerous pop culture properties, including the best-selling video game, “Mortal Kombat X.” The “Mortal Kombat” games are developed by NetherRealm Studios, owned by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, with a team led by co-creator and creative director Ed Boon.
Paul W.S. Anderson’s 1995 “Mortal Kombat” movie revolved around some of the game’s classic characters, like Liu Kang and Johnny Cage, who were invited to a tournament on a mysterious island only to find out that the fate of the world hung in the balance. The pic grossed $70 million at the domestic box office.
Its sequel, “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation,” however, did not bring back audiences, and the studio shelved future plans for any “Mortal Kombat”-related projects. The series was revived after Warner Bros. Digital, which was run by current Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara at the time, premiered the web series “Mortal Kombat: Legacy.”
McQuoid is an Australian filmmaker and one of the most in-demand commercials directors in the business, working on high-profile campaigns for PlayStation, Halo, Range Rover, Beats by Dre, and other top brands. His commercial work has earned him a Grand Clio, a D&AD Pencil, and a GRANDY Award, among others. McQuoid is repped by WME.
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