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Could Dwayne Johnson become the face of the newly-announced Mortal Kombat 2? That question came to many fans’ minds when news broke on Jan. 26 that New Line Cinema greenlit a sequel to the 2021 video game adaptation. Just one day prior, Johnson made headlines for teasing his next unnamed video game movie. While the timing could be a coincidence, some fans can’t deny the possible connection.

Dwayne Johnson at the 2021 People's Choice Awards
Dwayne Johnson | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Dwayne Johnson teased he’s working on a secret video game movie

On Jan. 25, Men’s Journal published an interview with Johnson discussing his workout routine for the upcoming DC Comics film Black Adam. However, one question touched on his future video game projects. Although The Rock couldn’t give too much away, he did tease that he’s working on a “bada**” video game movie.

“We’re going to bring one of the biggest, most badass games to the screen — one that I’ve played for years,” he said. “I’m really excited to bring it to fans around the world. Of course we’re going to do right by our gamer friends — but really we’re just going to make a great movie.”

Johnson added that an announcement about the project would arrive sometime this year. Fans immediately took to social media to guess what he’s working on, including joke theories like Animal Crossing and more serious possibilities like God of War. Among the serious guesses, of course, was Mortal Kombat 2.

New Line announced ‘Mortal Kombat 2’ the next day — Dwayne Johnson’s movie, perhaps?

Those Mortal Kombat theories were fueled even more the next day when New Line officially confirmed the movie sequel. Very few details were shared, except that Moon Knight writer Jeremy Slater would pen the script.

Many fans grew suspicious of the announcement’s timing, taking Twitter to express their thoughts.

“The Rock announcing a video game movie then shortly after Mortal Kombat 2 gets greenlit … I sense a connection,” one person wrote.

“Funny how a story about The Rock’s next role being a character in a video game movie that he won’t speak about comes to light around the same time of the confirmation of a new Mortal Kombat movie being in development … hmmm,” another person added.

Some fans took the theory a step further, suggesting that Johnson could play Mortal Kombat villain Shao Khan. On the other hand, one person wondered if Johnson could reprise his Black Adam role in the martial arts movie. After all, the Mortal Kombat franchise and the DC universe do have a history of crossovers.

For what it’s worth, even Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon said Johnson would “make a great Shao Khan,” as seen above. Does Boon know something we don’t?

Some ‘Mortal Kombat’ fans don’t see Dwayne Johnson as a good fit

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Dwayne Johnson Was Born to Play Black Adam Says Producer Hiram Garcia

On the other hand, some Mortal Kombat fans couldn’t believe Johnson as Shao Khan or any other character. One person suggested he might be too big a name for the project.

I don’t want the rest of the movie to be overshadowed by the fact that The Rock is in it,” they wrote.

Others thought Johnson simply wasn’t the right fit.

“Physically? Sure, he would make a great-looking Shao Kahn! Personality? I’m not so sure, I’m used to seeing the Rock be on the more light-hearted side over the years. Anticipating how he plays Black Adam soon,” another user added.

For now, Johnson’s involvement in Mortal Kombat 2 remains unconfirmed. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for more updates.

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