Ludi Lin Talks Brutal Training Camps, Brotherhood, and Returning to Mortal Kombat II

Ludi Lin on returning as Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat II, action boot camps, and finding humanity in a fighter in an exclusive interview with Expats Lifestyle

Ludi Lin on returning as Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat II [PHOTO: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures]

As anticipation builds for Mortal Kombat II, actor Ludi Lin returns to reprise his role as Liu Kang, the iconic martial artist at the heart of the franchise. Speaking about the sequel, Lin reflects on stepping back into the Mortal Kombat universe, the emotional evolution of Liu Kang, the demanding action training behind the film, and why he believes the new installment expands far beyond its gaming roots.

Mortal Kombat II is one of the most anticipated sequels of the year. What drew you back into the Mortal Kombat universe, and what do you enjoy most about being part of it?

When we did the first Mortal Kombat, I always knew it would take more than one movie to tell the full story because there were so many things in the Mortal Kombat universe we did not get to explore. We never even reached the actual tournament in the first film. There were also important characters missing, like Johnny Cage and Kitana.

Now, in Mortal Kombat II, we finally get to dive into those elements. In the first movie, I felt like Liu Kang had only just begun his journey as a monk and guide. In the sequel, he has grown into his power, and his journey goes to much deeper places. That is why I hope we get the chance to continue beyond this film as well.

Returning as Liu Kang for a second film, do you feel more connected to the character now?

Definitely. Doing a second movie feels like stepping back into your favorite pair of shoes, except somehow both you and the shoes have grown together. Liu Kang’s role is more complicated this time. He is more powerful, but he is also facing greater consequences, tougher challenges, and bigger enemies.

It feels really good to come back to the role, and I am grateful to be part of a sequel because not many films get one. I did not get that chance with Power Rangers, so I feel very lucky.

Lin reflects on stepping back into the Mortal Kombat universe, the emotional evolution of Liu Kang [PHOTO: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures]

After spending more time with Liu Kang, do you see any similarities between yourself and the character?

As I get older, I feel everything more deeply. I don't know if that simply comes with age, but I feel like I have become a more emotional person. I have lived more life, so I am able to love more deeply and feel regret more strongly.

I think Liu Kang has evolved in a similar way. He has become more complicated, older, and more interesting emotionally.

Mortal Kombat is known for its intense combat scenes. How do you prepare physically for a role like this?

Every action movie is basically a boot camp. For Mortal Kombat II, we arrived more than a month before filming started so we could begin training immediately.

A lot of us had the same experience Karl Urban talked about. You land at the airport, and instead of going to the hotel first, you go straight to stunt camp with your luggage because there is no time to waste. The team needs to assess your abilities, show you what you are about to face, and get you training right away.

Every film becomes a kind of boot camp. You come out exhausted, but you also feel like you have accomplished something great.

Chinese-Canadian actor Ludi Lin has built an international career through roles in blockbuster franchises including Power Rangers, Aquaman, and Mortal Kombat. Born in Fuzhou, raised across Hong Kong, Australia, and Canada, the multilingual actor is also known for his martial arts training, advocacy for Asian representation in Hollywood, and his return as Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat II [PHOTO: Courtesy of George Lawson Photography]

The film was shot in Australia again. How was the experience this time around?

We filmed the first movie in Adelaide, Australia, and the second one mostly on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. A lot of the filming took place in studio environments, but we also shot in forests and jungle locations to create parts of Edenia.

Australia is a wonderful place to film. I really love it there.

Did the scale of the production expand this time?

Absolutely. In the sequel, we are exploring more worlds beyond Earthrealm and Outworld. We also go into Netherrealm and Edenia, and our production designer Yohei Taneda created these incredible sets that genuinely feel like different worlds.

Each set has its own personality and emotional atmosphere. For me, places always carry a feeling. I remember the first time I visited Pai in northern Thailand. The moment I arrived, I felt lighter and calmer. I think our sets have that same emotional quality. Whether it is Earthrealm or Edenia, each world gives you a real sense of awe and grandeur.

With a much larger cast this time, did the atmosphere on set become even more fun?

It really did. In the first film, there were only about five of us, so it felt like a small group of friends constantly hanging out together, except we were trying to kill each other on screen.

This time, the cast more than doubled, so we were not sure how it would work, but everyone connected so naturally and we became a big family. The new female cast members especially brought such great energy to the set.

Adeline Rudolph, who plays Kitana, is one of the kindest people I know, and that warmth comes through in her character. A lot of people have said Kitana is the emotional heart of the movie because she is both strong and deeply sensitive. Her relationship with Jade, played by Tati Gabrielle, is also really important. Their sisterhood became a big part of the atmosphere on set too.

When filming wrapped, everyone genuinely felt emotional about leaving each other.

From left: Liu Kang played by Ludi Lin, Johnny Cage played by Karl Urban, Sonya Blade played by Jessica McNamee, and Jax Briggs played by Mehcad Brooks in Mortal Kombat II [PHOTO: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures]

Many characters in the film have elaborate costumes and weapons, while Liu Kang mostly fights with his hands. Do you ever wish you had more elaborate gear as well?

Honestly, not at all. I am probably the happiest person on set because I get to sleep in later than everybody else. I do not have hours of costume fittings or complicated makeup.

Liu Kang is always kind of dirty anyway, so it is very simple. He is basically acting in pajamas the whole time with loose pants and tank tops. It is incredibly comfortable.

When I did Power Rangers, it took two hours every day just to get into the armor. I definitely do not miss that.

Which scene was the most challenging for you?

The most challenging scene by far was the fight between Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Huang and I put a huge amount of work into it because we wanted the fight to tell an emotional story without interruptions.

This time, the movie lets the entire fight play out from beginning to end without cutting away. Physically, it was extremely demanding because it involved more than a hundred individual beats, plus weapons, fireballs, and all the technical elements that had to work together.

But more importantly, we wanted the emotional history between these two former Shaolin brothers to come through. We trained endlessly for that sequence, and we are really proud of it.

And what was your favorite scene in the film?

Aside from that fight, one of my favorite scenes is the final confrontation between Kitana and Shao Kahn because it shows this incredible female strength and power. Adeline did such an amazing job in that scene.

Another favorite is the sequence featuring Johnny Cage shooting his own movie, Uncaged Fury. That scene involved the entire stunt team, and all of the stunt performers got to appear on screen as themselves rather than doubling other actors. It is funny and feels like a huge tribute to 1990s action films.

Films based on video games can sometimes feel intimidating for audiences unfamiliar with the source material. How do you think Mortal Kombat II will appeal to newcomers?

I think Mortal Kombat is a pleasant surprise for people who might not expect it to be their kind of movie. If you are open-minded and looking for a fun cinematic experience, it is a very safe bet.

The movie has a lot of escapism and energy, and that really comes alive when you watch it with an audience. Every premiere screening I have attended has been incredible because the crowd reacts so passionately. People cheer, applaud, and get fully involved in the experience.

If you want a great blockbuster to kick off the summer movie season, Mortal Kombat is definitely one to watch.

Which actors or filmmakers inspire you the most?

I look at films first before I think about the names behind them, but when I think about my favorite movies, so many of them were directed by Christopher Nolan, from Memento to The Prestige and Interstellar. I am really looking forward to The Odyssey as well.

The Matrix was also hugely influential for me. Its stunt coordinator, Yuen Woo-Ping, is a legend in kung fu cinema and someone I deeply admire.

I also have friends making incredible films right now. One of them is Josh Kim, whose film How to Win at Checkers (Every Time) was made in Thailand and was incredibly emotional. I would also love to work with Kenji Tanigaki, who I think is going to completely change action cinema.

Off-screen, Ludi Lin finds peace camping in the mountains of Vancouver with his dog and camper van, far away from the chaos of Mortal Kombat II [PHOTO: Courtesy of George Lawson Photography]

What kinds of roles are you most drawn to at this stage in your career?

Asian characters in Hollywood are often asked to fight, but not always allowed to love. I would really like to do more romantic films and slice-of-life dramas.

This year I am working on some indie projects and comedy as well. I have even started doing stand-up comedy just for fun. It is not necessarily career-driven. I simply enjoy it.

Outside of acting, what are your biggest passions?

I have a lot of passions. I love animals, activism, staying healthy, exercising, and spending time outdoors. I think actors need to experience life fully because all of those experiences feed into the work.

I live in Vancouver, which is such a beautiful place for nature. Every time I come back home, I immediately feel happiness because I know I will be near the mountains again. I love camping with my dog, driving around in my camper van, finding a quiet place to build a fire and just be at peace.

If you were not an actor, what do you think you would be doing today?

Probably something involving animals. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a zoologist. I still watch nature documentaries almost every day.

I recently watched one called The Gorilla Story and loved it. But honestly, I have so many interests. Maybe I would run a café. Maybe I would become a pilot. There are still so many things I want to do.

Mortal Kombat II arrives in cinemas on 7 May 2026 in IMAX , Dolby Vision+Atmos®, 4DX , Screen X, MX4D and ZIGMA CINESTADIUM.