More than 20 years after the last big-screen adventure for Mortal Kombat, the iconic fighting game franchise looks to make a theatrical return with a new feature film. New Line Cinema’s highly anticipated epic action film will shoot in and around Adelaide, South Australia and will be shot on Adelaide Studios’ Sound Stages, utilizing the state’s world-class crews and acting talent, with post-production in South Australia’s internationally acclaimed visual effects and post-production facilities. Pre-production kicks off next month with production beginning in earnest later this year.

Producer James Wan (Aquaman, The Conjuring films) is on board the film, which will be the feature directorial debut of award-winning commercial filmmaker Simon McQuoid. The current screenplay is by Greg Russo (the upcoming Highwaymen).

Here's what Wan had to say about the announcement:

“I’m really happy and excited to be bringing another show back to Australia with Mortal Kombat, especially after having such a great experience filming Aquaman. Now we get to experience South Australia with its scenic locations and a wealth of artistic talent to work with. It will be perfectly suited for this fantasy-action project.”

Director McQuoid followed up, saying:

“Having lived in Adelaide early in my career, I am thrilled to be back in South Australia to make my directorial debut with Mortal Kombat. We need many different elements for its success and have found them all right here—the uniquely beautiful landscapes, the outstanding world-class stage facilities and VFX houses, and the brilliant artists and technicians from across the film-making community. I’m grateful to the Premier and people of South Australia for having us, we’re all very excited to be here.”

Katherine Beyda, Executive Vice President, Physical Production, New Line Cinema, also commented:

“We are thrilled to be highlighting South Australian locations, talent and facilities for Mortal Kombat. It brings together all of the components we need to make an ambitious action film a success, and we applaud the South Australian Film Corporation for their role in attracting the production to their region.”

Along with Wan and McQuoid, Todd Garner (Isn’t It Romantic, Tag) also produces, with Larry Kasanoff (Mortal Kombat, True Lies), E. Bennett Walsh (Men in Black: International, The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Michael Clear (The Nun, Lights Out), and Sean Robins (Playing with Fire, Tag) executive producing.