Mortal Kombat II Star Max Huang Wants Shaolin Monks Spinoff After Epic Liu Kang Fight

Max Huang spent eight months preparing to die spectacularly on screen in Mortal Kombat II, training with a Shaolin monk to bring authenticity to his villainous turn as Kung Lao. Now the actor wants a Shaolin Monks spinoff movie — and honestly, after delivering what many consider the film's best fight scene, he's earned the right to ask.

What makes the Liu Kang vs Kung Lao fight special

According to audience reactions, the Liu Kang vs Kung Lao fight is undeniably the standout sequence in Mortal Kombat II. Huang and Ludi Lin deliver a masterclass in combining practical stuntwork with VFX, particularly in how they handle Kung Lao's iconic razor-sharp hat weapon.

"I wanted to give Kung Lao more depth and I wanted to bring him back to his origin," Huang explained. The approach clearly worked — the fight successfully captures the essence of the Portal stage from the video games whilst telling an emotional story about former best friends turned deadly enemies.

The preparation was intense. Huang and Lin used an iPhone to record their movements, ensuring consistent framing throughout the sequence. They filmed for a solid week, with Huang performing almost all his own stunts despite calling the experience "brutal."

How Jackie Chan's training prepared him for Hollywood

Huang's decade with Jackie Chan's legendary stunt team provided the foundation for his Mortal Kombat success. "In China, we used to have sometimes 16-18 hour days of nonstop working, and you would be lucky if there was coffee around on set," he recalled.

That experience makes Hollywood seem almost leisurely by comparison. "When I come to Hollywood, it's almost like a vacation to be honest," Huang said. "You work with Jackie Chan and you're not surprised by any other action design or action team."

This background in Chinese kung fu proved essential for mastering Kung Lao's signature weapon. "The philosophy in Chinese martial arts is always to enhance the weapon as part of your body," Huang explained, describing how he made the hat "become part of Kung Lao instead of being separate."

Why the fight feels spontaneous, not choreographed

Huang rejects the common perception that fight scenes are like elaborate dances. "It's actually the opposite and it's very spontaneous," he insisted. "It's very reactive out of the moment. If you look at the UFC, you never know what the next moment will give you."

His approach focuses on character connection rather than precise choreography. "I'm not really interested in choreography to be honest with you. I'm more interested in the connection between the two characters and what it is about," he said.

This philosophy pays dividends on screen. "I think that's part of the reason why this scene works so well, because instead of just moving in a fancy way, this fight is telling a story," Huang explained. The result is what he calls "the best fight scene I've done so far. It's the fight of my life."

Kung Lao's future and the Shaolin Monks spinoff dream

Warning! Spoilers for Mortal Kombat II follow:

Without spoiling too much, Kung Lao meets his expected gory end in Mortal Kombat II when Liu Kang uses the character's own hat against him. However, Liu Kang's ascension to godhood comes with a promise to rescue his old friend from the afterlife, setting up his return for Mortal Kombat III.

Huang has clear hopes for his character's survival prospects. "Well, first of all, I hope that he doesn't suffer another death! Give him a break, let him live for a second," he said with obvious frustration at Kung Lao's poor survival rate across the film franchise.

More intriguingly, Huang has expressed interest in a potential Shaolin Monks spinoff focusing on the friendship between Kung Lao and Liu Kang — an idea that could explore their bond before the tragic events that turned them into enemies. With the Street Fighter movie proving there's appetite for video game adaptations, a Shaolin Monks film isn't entirely out of the question.

“Something that I personally would love to explore would be a Shaolin Monks spinoff,” Huang said. “Ludi has talked about it. I've been talking about it. It would be great to see those two characters' origins and how they were raised by Bo' Rai Cho and trained and exploring the White Lotus. Yeah, the lore of Mortal Kombat is huge.”

When and where to watch in UAE

Mortal Kombat II is currently playing in UAE cinemas, though specific streaming platform details haven't been announced yet. The film joins other recent releases in UAE cinemas as audiences continue to show strong support for action franchises.

Given the UAE's strong appetite for martial arts films and the impressive stunt work Huang has delivered, local audiences are likely to appreciate the authenticity he brings to the role. His experience with traditional Chinese kung fu adds genuine depth to what could have been just another video game adaptation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Kung Lao return in Mortal Kombat III?

Yes, Liu Kang vows to rescue him from the afterlife at the end of Mortal Kombat II, confirming Kung Lao's return for the third film despite his dramatic death scene.

Who plays Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat II?

Kung Lao is played by Max Huang, who spent a decade working with Jackie Chan's stunt team before joining the Mortal Kombat franchise.

What is Max Huang's background in martial arts?

Max Huang has extensive experience in Chinese kung fu and worked as a member of Jackie Chan's legendary stunt team for ten years before transitioning to Hollywood films.

How long did the Liu Kang vs Kung Lao fight take to film?

The fight sequence took a full week to film, with Max Huang calling it "brutal" and performing almost all his own stunts during the intensive shooting schedule.

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