The actor behind Sub-Zero in the Mortal Kombat movies has finally spoken about the rumors of a solo film for his character. Joe Taslim, who plays the icy assassin Bi-Han, confirmed that early talks happened. But he also made it clear that the franchise needs to stay alive first before any spinoff gets the green light.
Joe Taslim Says Spinoff Depends on Franchise Survival
Taslim sat down with ScreenRant for an interview published on June 4, 2026. He was asked directly about the long-standing rumors of a Sub-Zero spinoff movie.
“There was a conversation about that,” Taslim said. “Yeah, but it depends. The franchise needs to survive first, and then I believe, if we can somehow… We haven’t heard anything, but if they want to go to the next one, there’s a chance that we have that story.”
The actor did not shut down the idea completely. He confirmed that early discussions took place a couple of years ago. But since then, he has not received any new information or official plans from the studio.
Taslim also pointed out that the studio would look at more than just box office numbers. They need to see how audiences and critics react to Mortal Kombat II. A movie can make money, but if people do not enjoy it, a spinoff becomes a risky investment.
Box Office Success and Mixed Reviews Create Uncertainty
Mortal Kombat II arrived in theaters on May 8, 2026. The film has Karl Urban joining the cast as Johnny Cage. It also brings back Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Mehcad Brooks, and Hiroyuki Sanada.
On the money side, the sequel is doing well. It has earned $125.6 million worldwide as of June 1, 2026. That number beats the 2021 reboot’s $84.4 million and the 1995 original’s $122.2 million total. It is now the third highest-grossing film in the franchise’s history.
But the budget for the sequel was $80 million. Using the standard 2.5x multiplier rule, the film needs to hit $200 million just to break even at the box office. It is still short by about $74.4 million.
The reviews tell a mixed story. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave the film a 64% score. But the audience score is much higher at 88%. Fans are clearly enjoying the movie more than the professional reviewers.
One fan review called it “the kind of movie Mortal Kombat fans have been waiting years for.” Another said, “They fixed EVERYTHING we complained about in the first one.” On the other side, some critics said the film has “awkward pacing” and “lacks substance” in its story.
Why a Sub-Zero Movie Could Work
Sub-Zero is one of the most famous characters in the Mortal Kombat series. He has been a mainstay since the first game dropped in 1992. Both Bi-Han and his younger brother Kuai Liang have taken on the Sub-Zero name across different games and movies.
In the most recent films, Joe Taslim plays Bi-Han, the older brother. In the game stories, Bi-Han gets killed by Scorpion. His soul then gets changed into a shadow wraith called Noob Saibot. His younger brother Kuai Liang then becomes the next Sub-Zero.
Taslim has talked about this before. In a 2021 interview, he said fans would “probably” see Noob Saibot if a sequel happened. He also said he really wants to play that version of the character.
The rich history of the character gives the creative team decades of stories to pull from. A spinoff could explore Bi-Han’s time as an assassin for the Lin Kuei clan. It could also show his rivalry with Scorpion or his fall from ice ninja to dark wraith.
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What This Means for Mortal Kombat Fans
Taslim’s update is not the green light fans wanted. But it is also not a definite no. The actor remains open to returning. He clearly knows the character well and wants to do more.
For now, audiences can catch Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat II, which is still playing in theaters worldwide. The film is available in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India.
A third movie is already in early development. Jeremy Slater has been hired to write the screenplay. If that movie moves forward and performs well, the chance for a Sub-Zero spinoff becomes much more real.
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