Scorpion and Sub-Zero are often the face of Mortal Kombat, but as some may forget, so is Liu Kang. The iconic Earthrealm warrior goes on a journey in Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpions Revenge and Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, even. Senior Gaming Editor Michael Leri spoke to Liu Kang’s voice actor in the film, Jordan Rodrigues, about Liu Kang’s rise, his relationship with Raiden, and more. This interview contains serious spoilers.
In Scorpions Revenge, Liu Kang says he feels like a failure because he can’t defeat Goro. Raiden then tells him that defeating Goro was not in his fate. Given that exchange and the fact that he’s not really the big hero in this movie, how would you describe Liu Kang in Scorpion’s Revenge?
Liu Kang feels ready to take on any challenge he faces throughout the film. He feels like a master of his craft and really wants to show that to save Earthrealm. I think he’s a little frustrated with Raiden because it’s like holding back a hungry dog. You really get the satisfaction of why he’s the chosen one in the second movie.
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Raiden is obviously a huge influence on Liu Kang. He respects Raiden’s wishes and seems to adore him. How would you describe your relationship in this film and what do you think Raiden means for Liu Kang?
Raiden is a father figure in Liu Kang’s eyes. He raised and trained him and taught him respect and patience. Your relationship goes really deep with it. Since you are really invested in the relationship between the two, the audience is ten times more invested in the characters and the story as well. You have a very special relationship.
Talking about Liu Kang and Raiden’s relationship, Rick Morales and Jeremy Adams said he was like a father figure to Liu Kang. Can you talk to Raiden “dies” in this film. Kung Lao dies in this film. His parents also die at the beginning. It seems like everyone who is important to him is dying. How do you think all of these deaths helped shape Liu Kang, especially Raiden’s?
With each death, Liu Kang’s burning heart is only kindled. He trains harder, he fights harder. And he keeps those who are dear to him in his heart and he respects the time he has with these people. You not only see his special relationship with Raiden, but also with Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade and all the other characters. It’s very heartwarming.
This could get into speculative territory, but where do you think Liu Kang is mentally at the end of the film? He has, so to speak, taken Raiden’s place as the protector of Earthrealm.
He’s really a student during the first and second films. And although he thought he was ready at the time, Lord Raiden said, “Be patient. Your time will come. “As soon as he rose to god status, everything became clear and all-knowing. And I think when you reach that ethereal, if that’s a word, everything becomes calm and one. I had to portray that in my acting I think it’s really cool to see him become the chosen one.
