Untold Stories LIVE! Ed Boon, John Tobias, Kerri Hoskins & Sal Divita Spill Mortal Kombat's Secrets!

[@RealmKast]

We were honoured to be able to co-host the Reunion Panel and the Drawing Panel at Cleveland Gaming Classic! Being able to interview Ed Boon, John Tobias, Kerri Hoskins, & Sal DiVita was an amazing experience. We started this podcast over 5 years ago and we are so proud of what we have accomplished since then. The fact that it was in support of the Raiden Science Foundation made it even more meaningful, especially as it brought the Mortal Kombat community together! Thank you to everyone involved in making this such a success. ✅ Timestamps (also in the description): 00:00:00 - It Has Begun! 00:00:36 - Choose Your Destiny 00:02:12 - Cleveland Gaming Classic 00:09:24 - Test Your Might 00:10:17 - Mortal Kombat Reunion Panel 00:57:32 - Fergality 00:58:26 - Raiden Science Foundation 01:05:25 - Dragon Crystals 01:05:47 - John Tobias Drawing Panel 01:51:02 - There is No Knowledge That is Not Power 01:53:15 - End Credits + Bonus Clip

[@bandawin18]

God we need John Tobias back so bad

[@Hero11170]

Yes

[@honeybadgerftuw]

and we need Sonya back. pls stop the hate on this iconic character =[

[@TheNikolaYo]

He will make Sub-Zero great again.

[@bandawin18]

@@honeybadgerftuw I don't really hate her personally, she's just kinda boring ngl. All the regular ass military people are, but Sonya and Jax should definitely be base roster in every game no matter what. I do like Jax more than any of the others just cuz he radiates badassery with the wrestling, cigars, and metal fuckin arms. Dude's just sick as fuck

[@TheRafcave]

He should write the DLC stories

[@XaeeD]

I've been saying this for years now. What resonated with us, back when Mortal Kombat came out, was that the game took all of these external bits and pieces from pop culture, and condensed all of that into a videogame. So we grew up watching the content that Ed and John used as inspiritational source material for the creation of Mortal Kombat. It's exactly what Tobias says in the interview. It's also why, in my opinion, many of us day one MK fans, started to feel a disconnect happening, as time went by, and especially now with NRS' latest MK game. That feeling of "this isn't Mortal Kombat anymore", that is often voiced by critics, and with which I agree to some extend, is rooted in that shift that naturally occurred. The games developers gradually lose sight of these original inspirational sources, and so what made Mortal Kombat iconic and familiar to us, during the 90s, has since been substituted with a new vision, by new workers, in a modern day and age. I think this is to be expected, and change is a constant, but I also feel like the 90s were like a sweet spot for the concept of Mortal Kombat, its lore, and its characters, to emerge and really culminate in something special. So this is my personal opinion, and some of it may not actually be accurate or pertinent; but this is what I see in the early games of the franchise. Obviously, you have Liu Kang, who embodies the martial arts prodigy that was Bruce Lee. But interestingly enough, Liu Kang is not the actor. That's Johnny. To me, I feel like the concept of the MK tournament is somewhat reminiscent of Enter the Dragon's death tournament. People always point to Bloodsport, and Jean-Claude van Damme's Frank Dux character serves as the blueprint for Johnny Cage, but if you watch Enter the Dragon; there's a lot of similarities to the MK tournament. Sonya Blade was Cynthia Rothrock to us. I think the character was inspired by another female athlete, but Sonya just reminded us of China O'Brien. One of the movies she played in was Shanghai Express (aka Millionaires Express), and that movie is just full of characters that could've easily been replicated for a 90s MK game. That female ninja in that movie was awesome. The American Ninja franchise with Michael Dudikoff. I mean, Steve James played a character named Corporal Curtis Jackson. Jax was originally supposed to be named Kurtis Stryker. Then he became Major Jackson 'Jax' Briggs. I think this one is quite obvious. Just Google "American Ninja Steve James" and you'll immediately see the resemblance. Sho Kosugi's ninja flicks, obviously. Ninja in the Dragon's Den, in which Hiroyuki Sanada plays one of two main protagonists, and Sanada eventually ends up portraying Scorpion in the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie. Of course, BTILC, goes without saying. Freakin' BTILC man. How awesome was that movie! It had all of that borderline occult Chinese mysticism that ends up getting incorporated a lot in Mortal Kombat. I don't think A Chinese Ghost Story had any direct influence, but that, to me, in some regards, was a very Mortal Kombat-esque film. There are characters in that movie that would have worked so well for a 90s MK game. And then just a whole list of late 70s and 80s Shaolin Kung-Fu movies in general. Goro was a typical Ray Harryhausen monster; lurking in a subterranean dungeon, roaring as he steps out of the shadows. But looking at Goro, you also have to mention Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom, although I'm not sure Tobias ever read those comics. Then again, this kinda ties into the concept of the Outworld. A kind of prehistoric version of Earth; where civilizations are still primitive and barbaric. Almost like Robert E. Howard's Hyborian age of wonder. I mean, they did use a shot from Conan the Destroyer for MK2 Kitana's ending. I think Outworld was originally very reminiscent of Conan's world of swords and sorcery. Shao Kahn plays into that concept, and it's kinda why Shao Kahn starts to feel out of place in the new Mortal Kombat 1. It's because Outworld no longer resembles that mysterious interpretation of an antediluvian Earth. Outworld in MK1 is more like a pre-industrial revolution Asian country, imo. What influences the creative process and what steers the direction of a videogame, is directly or indirectly the product of the Zeitgeist, popular culture, and external experiences. Mortal Kombat was new, but at the same time, it felt familiar, because of some of those references I mentioned. We grew up watching those movies, and MK captured all of that, and allowed us to play as some of those characters. The lore surrounding it didn't need to be extensive at first, because we could fill in the blanks as it all made sense to us back then in the 90s. Then it grew and became its own entity. I think this is part of why it was so successful. It was like all of that content and all of that imagination was represented in that game. It was mysterious, eerie, ominous, action-packed martial arts fantasy, and somehow that just resonated with a lot of kids at that time. A new generation of developers might not have grown up watching all of those old movies, outdoors playing ninjas with the neighborhood kids, experiencing everything that surrounded Mortal Kombat and lead up to it. I think what impacted some of these new developers growing up is more related to socio-political dynamics than purely entertainment and a love for martial arts. That being said, I can still see some of these older influences showing up, even in MK1. Havik's arena in the Khaos Reigns story seems to include some of the Running Man, and I can see some very subtle references to At the Mountains of Madness in Shang Tsung's Laboratory, as well as other Lovecraftian themes being used here and there, which I appreciate. Anyway, just my two cents on that. Apologies to anyone who actually took the time to read all of that.

[@ocult100]

oh Jesus Christ Bro... Kerry Hoskins Still GORGEOUS AS HELL

[@alexfischer7876]

Boon and Tobias reunited... _not sure if that's gonna stick, honestly._ And props for *Kerri Hoskins* and *Sal Divita* making an appearance, as well. Wonder how the rest of the gang is doing (John Turk, Lia Montelongo, Becky Gable, Richard Divizio, etc.)?

[@Terminated_Account]

Seeing John Tobias next to Boon warms my heart :'p

[@kyngsuperpl3x]

Sal Divita was my favorite NBA Jam character. The announcer yelling "Divita!" sounded so cool to me as a kid

[@acceptpapara]

57:13 Mr. Boon's "get over here"

[@Neo-Midgar]

YES Thank you for asking about bringing back the original actors for characters. I'd die for a Kerri Sonya in MK1.

[@damin9913]

She isn't the original she was in mortal kombat 3 not Mortal Kombat

[@Drosheerr]

Do you have the timestamp?

[@Neo-Midgar]

@@damin9913 I know she isn't the MK1 Sonya, that was Elizabeth Malecki. However, she is by far the most iconic and the one the most fans would wish to return.

[@damin9913]

@@Neo-Midgar they both need to meet up

[@thesegaguy6279]

Loved seeing these panels in person. You guys did a great job, and I'm glad I got to ask John a question or two during his panel! ❤

[@SpNerCaspaNova]

Kerri is so gorgeous. Holy shit.

[@damin9913]

22:05 that's how the Mortal Kombat commercial started it was early in the morning they did this on a Monday 😊

[@miesvaillanykyisyytta3252]

They have aged so well.

[@eladreltuc]

54:44 watch how happy the guy in the crowd is to be there😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@robbvanderstoel7725]

46:51 has the original question about the digitized actors. The answer is, “we’ve talked about it.”

[@jbp1172]

Wow! Kerri still looks amazing.

[@damin9913]

36:17 I been trying to explain too people video games aren't just for kids it's for everybody too play

[@creed200569]

They need to get rid of Dominic and have John Tobias write the story. I’m so tired of this multiverse BS

[@Terminated_Account]

Why is the crowd sound so low? It makes it feel no one came to see them lol

[@Greendore]

Poor John, NRS writers took a massive shit on his baby!

[@damin9913]

52:01 He's staying with original fatalities that was the most popular that caught the news

[@damin9913]

Kerri wasn't the original mortal kombat Sonya don't these fools know that she came after 2

[@bmarzdungeon7736]

They still hold a grudge against Daniel pesina, ho sung pak, and a few more actors, that’s why they recasted for mk3, and take cage off the mk 92 arcade pics

[@alexfischer7876]

They *STILL* hold a grudge? Darn. _Even after 30-something years..._

[@damin9913]

Why they hate Daniel he was the reason Mortal Kombat started and he helped create it

[@damin9913]

55:36 Now thats funny 😂

[@be28ans]

MK NEEDS TOBIAS BACK

[@calisurfrguy7220]

Did they show the full drawing at the end or did i just miss it??

[@damin9913]

Sonya was the strongest female in the first Mortal Kombat

[@SpecialOrder935]

Sonya was the only female in the first game 🤡

[@shawziiz5031]

Yea no shit, she was the only female in that game bruh

[@miesvaillanykyisyytta3252]

And the weakest in MK2. She was literally a NPC.

[@honeybadgerftuw]

@@miesvaillanykyisyytta3252 Sonya got you pressed though, weird hater

[@miesvaillanykyisyytta3252]

@@honeybadgerftuw I don't know what you mean. I was just stating a fact. Sonya only appears in the background in MK2 in chains just like Kano. Mileena and Kitana are therefore 'stronger' than her as they can actually fight.

[@hybridcypher8995]

ED Boon: Sal....did you have to say Marvel...DC is gonna be pissed, thank god didnt say "Marvel as apposed to DC"

[@Terminated_Account]

John Tobias is the only chance this game's story has to become good again.

[@ArchangelRG09]

John was only the designer aside from co creating, dont think he had a thing to do with story

[@clarencegutsy7309]

Please bring back Kerri-era Sonya. Not this boring drone/gadgets woman from MKX/MK11.

[@barrysmith4610]

Why isn't Kerri back as Sonya in MK1 orrrrrr even played her in MK11 is beyond me. Ed STOP wasting her. She's RIGHT THERE!! Siiiigghhh smh

[@brandinstephens9933]

Kerri Hoskins kiss Brandin Stephens

[@streetmarine]

Did anybody ask about finishing umk3 Hd?

[@kSwissh007]

i wanna fight ed boon in mortal kombat!!!! i know he gonna use scorpion lol

[@damin9913]

21:02 its because he saw blood and was excited 😊 street fighter 2 has no blood mortal kombat does

[@Lektuerekurs]

Street Fighter does have blood and puke. just in smaller doses and it diasappeara quicker. Eg Blanka's biting grab and Guile's (I think!) straight punch to the solarplexus

[@damin9913]

@Lektuerekurs but you barely notice it but in mortal kombat it's very noticeable

[@alansilverman7543]

They're better be more invasion. Season eight better not be to end of the invasions. Say a better be more invasions comming.

[@oye-ermac]

This is real MK not those hacks of WB/NRS 🤮

[@deathcold_longplaysua4846]

Well, there is not so much untold stories. I mean, everything what they said here we already know. Maybe some development insides that we didn't know was interesting to hear but, other than that, there is nothing new. Also, it sucks that other character actors wasn't there, because maybe they had something to say that we don't know. But I guess that Ed Boon and John Tobias still holds that hate against those original actors after what happened. I mean, I support those actors because, if I done some job for someone then I would be expecting to get payed too, so I understand why they were suing Midway for not paying actors for their job after MK2. And also, hearing Ed Boon when he said that it would be cool to bring those OG actors back and do a skins based on them for modern MK games is just straight up lies, because we all know that it's not gonna happen. Because, like I said, Ed and John still hold all the hate against the OG actors. How do I know this? Just by looking at their responses. Like, you don't have to be a doctor to understand it. And if they would wanted to remaster OG MK games with OG actors and stuff, then they would have done it already. Like back in when MK HD Kollection released, when there was nothing HD about it. So yeah, all this show was kinda disappointing, at least from my perspective. The only thing that was somewhat interesting is John Tobias drawing but then again, you showed it on the big screen but you didn't showed what he was doing on camera, which means that I didn't saw it until the end. So maybe next time, if there ever be next time, hire better camera operator. Sure, you could say that "why didn't you visited the show to see it yourself" and it's simple, because I would have to travel half the globe to do so, which is what I'm not willing to do. So yeah, do better next time. That is my personal opinion on all this.

[@damin9913]

@deathcold_longplaysua4846 right all this talking about stuff we already know but no development time for a new mortal kombat game he is just milking this on purpose

[@deathcold_longplaysua4846]

@@damin9913 Well, they made new MK1, or should I said M1K. But the game is bad, man. The quality of it is just sucks. And then it is barebones. And all those skins and stuff, after you disconnect from the internet, they will be gone, man. Because it's a live service crap of a game! Because they say that we don't own anything. So screw their game then!

[@damin9913]

@deathcold_longplaysua4846 thank you you hit the nail right on the head 👏🏿 people who play these modern games don't see it all the skins and new characters is just a waste of making

[@honeybadgerftuw]

We need Sonya back, it's not right to leave her out, just add Kerri in this leather outfit she's perfect and she can be her voice too