The latest Mortal Kombat reboot seems to have changed Sub-Zero’s iconic ice sword, but in what ways? With a purported focus on characters from the first three arcade games, the upcoming Mortal Kombat live-action reboot has an impressive cast of characters including Jax, Raiden, Shang Tsung, and Sonya Blade, with the trailer indulging in frenetic. gore-encrusted, dramatic fatalities. Directed by Simon McQuoid, Mortal Kombat will arrive in theaters and on HBO Max on April 16, 2021.

Both the Mortal Kombat trailer and posters feature Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) wielding an ice blade that holds immense power. This seems to be the reboot’s rendition of his famous Kori Blade, which comes with a surprisingly complex in-game history of its own. In early versions of Mortal Kombat 4, Sub-Zero was able to draw a broadsword during battle, which was incidentally also his nemesis Scorpion’s weapon of choice. However, revisions to the weapon were made during development, leading to a weapon named the Ice Scepter instead, which could be used both as a club or as a frost-inducing weapon, which had the ability to freeze opponents completely.

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Then came a humongous broadsword of solid ice dubbed the Kori Blade, which was Sub-Zero’s weapon of choice in titles like Deadly Alliance, Deception, and Armageddon, wherein the blade would not shatter on impact. The blade itself was made by manipulating freezing water vapor in the shape of a sword, which is exemplified in the name ‘Kori’, which loosely translates as ‘ice.’ The Kori Blade was subject to breaking in Mortal Kombat 11, although Sub-Zero had the ability to create Katanas out of ice during special moves and combos. In terms of appearance, the blade underwent various changes which were dependent on in-game timelines. For instance, the blade was larger in shape when Sub-Zero was in his cybernetic form in the second timeline.

Sub Zero

Despite the blade’s differing make and build, it was given a curved appearance and an elaborate hilt resembling a katana in Mortal Kombat 11, which continued to be the weapon’s overarching feature from Mortal Kombat X. When compared to Sub-Zero’s ice sword in the reboot’s poster, the film makes it appear like a frigid sword at first glance. However, on closer inspection, gamers might notice that its design matches that of the Kori Blade, replete with a spiked hilt and a small hole near the center. Although the in-game design remains more intricate and prominent, the similarities between the two have been confirmed by writer Greg Russo, who seems to have an affinity for the character designs seen in Mortal Kombat X.

Apart from this, the reboot’s trailer seems to point to the fact that Sub-Zero’s fingers are frostbitten, which adds a whole new layer of authenticity to the character’s portrayal compared to the games. Moreover, the grand Sub-Zero versus Scorpion fight sequence glimpsed in the preview itself is enthralling to watch, as the former slashes Scorpion and freezes a splash of his blood into a dagger. While there are a plethora of callbacks and homages to some of the brutality and fatality moves from the games, it will be interesting to see how the new Mortal Kombat reboot adds a spin to these well-loved characters, and enriches their respective character arcs with dramatic depth.

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