Today’s most talked-about viral video is, as many have already figured out, a test trailer meant to stir up interest in a new Mortal Kombat film—and from the looks of things, this incarnation of Mortal Kombat will do everything it can to distance itself from the 1995 PG-13 version. The short, which appeared on YouTube today under the title Mortal Kombat: Rebirth, was helmed by Kevin Tancharoen, a dancer turned director (he even had a small role in You Got Served) who’s best known for last year’s Fame remake, and he’s obviously put all of his choreography knowhow into properly framing scenes of dudes getting smacked right in the face.
Compared to the last Mortal Kombat film, Tancharoen is definitely trying to stay faithful to the game’s original gore—and while we’re trying awfully hard not to use the words “gritty reboot” today, let’s just say that this relaunch of the franchise is awfully dark and grainy. It features brief glimpses of many of the major characters—Jax, Sonya, Baraka, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Shang Tsung, Reptile, Johnny Cage—appearances from actors Michael Jai White and Jeri Ryan, and even a quick, subtle “finish him.” As we mentioned, this is all just test footage intended to drum up investors for a possible future film; judging by the reaction it’s already received, that shouldn’t be a problem.