Cole Young

Cole Young grew up in the South Side of Chicago, orphaned at a young age. He became a professional MMA fighter, but by the time of the 2021 film, his career had declined to small-time bouts for $200 a fight. He lives modestly with his wife Allison and daughter Emily, struggling to make ends meet. Unbeknownst to him, Cole bears a dragon-shaped birthmark that marks him as a chosen champion of Earthrealm for the Mortal Kombat tournament. He is a direct descendant of Hanzo Hasashi, also known as Scorpion, a lineage that Raiden secretly protected after Sub-Zero massacred Scorpion's family centuries ago. [edit]

Cole is a grounded, relatable everyman. He is fiercely protective of his family, which motivates his actions throughout the story. Initially skeptical of the mystical elements of Mortal Kombat, he gradually accepts his role as a champion. He is resilient and tough, able to endure significant punishment in fights, but also humble and self-deprecating about his diminished fighting career. His protective instinct, especially toward his daughter Emily, ultimately unlocks his arcana. [edit]

In the 2021 film, Cole starts as a washed-up fighter struggling to support his family. After being attacked by Sub-Zero, he is rescued by Jax and learns about his birthmark and destiny as an Earthrealm champion. At Raiden's temple, he trains with Liu Kang and Kung Lao but fails to unlock his arcana, leading Raiden to dismiss him. When Outworld forces target his family, Cole's protective instincts awaken his arcana, granting him kinetic-absorbing armor and energy weapons. In the climax, he fights alongside the spirit of his ancestor Scorpion to defeat Sub-Zero, embracing his legacy. In the sequel Mortal Kombat 2 (2026), Cole returns as a supporting character but is killed by Shao Kahn in a brutal fatality: Shao Kahn smashes his head with a war hammer and throws his body into the Dead Pool acid, completely dissolving it.[edit]

Cole Young is one of the most debated additions to the Mortal Kombat mythos. Fans and critics had mixed reactions: some appreciated a grounded audience surrogate to introduce new viewers to the world, while others criticized the decision to center the film on a newcomer instead of established icons like Liu Kang or Johnny Cage. His arcana powers, which turn damage into strength, drew comparisons to Marvel's Black Panther. His death in the sequel was seen as a way to refocus on classic characters, though it also sparked fan theories about a possible return via sorcery.[edit]