An opinion piece proposes four horror characters as potential guest fighters for the next Mortal Kombat game: Chucky, Candyman, Pennywise, and Michael Myers. Since NetherRealm Studios took over development, the series has frequently introduced classic horror movie characters; although current attention is more focused on Injustice 3, the studio's previous statements about the continued development of the Mortal Kombat series have made the return of horror guests a plausible possibility.
Mortal Kombat 11 did not continue the trend of focusing on horror characters, instead adding action movie icons like the Terminator, RoboCop, and Rambo. Previous horror guests in the series included Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Ghostface, with the T-1000 also making an appearance. The article argues that the series' over-the-top, gory Fatalities still fit well with horror characters.
Chucky is the first candidate discussed in the article. The killer doll from Child's Play is much smaller than typical fighting game characters, and his comedic, exaggerated violence aligns with some of Mortal Kombat's presentation. However, his size would pose challenges for hitboxes and combat mechanics; if standard attacks struggle to connect, it could disrupt character balance.
Candyman possesses more distinct supernatural traits. The article imagines his hook hand being used for combo attacks, while flight, teleportation, and swarms of bees could be turned into special moves. The 2021 film also introduced the concept that multiple people can embody the "Candyman" identity, offering different narrative options for his inclusion in Mortal Kombat.
Pennywise is no ordinary clown, but an otherworldly entity that feeds on fear. His shapeshifting abilities, red balloons, sharp teeth, and the eerie glow from his mouth could all serve as the basis for fighting moves or Fatalities. Compared to characters who rely primarily on close-range pursuit, Pennywise offers greater potential for varied forms and transformations.
Another candidate is Michael Myers from the Halloween franchise. The article suggests that the film trilogy starting in 2018 portrayed a more brutal version of the character, whose close-quarters attack style suits fighting games; his tendency to suddenly appear behind victims in the films could also be translated into teleport-like moves.
These ideas are merely speculative suggestions for future guest rosters, not new characters announced by NetherRealm Studios. If Michael Myers were to join, he would follow in the footsteps of previously featured killers like Jason, Freddy, Leatherface, and Ghostface, bringing another wave of iconic horror slasher villains into the Mortal Kombat series.