EXCLUSIVE | ‘Mortal Kombat II’ actor Max Huang: ‘I am working in Salman Khan’s '7 Dogs' & would love to work with Shah Rukh Khan
In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost’s Lachmi Deb Roy for ‘Not Just Bollywood’, Hollywood actor Max Huang talks about his fim: ‘Mortal Kombat II’, working with Salman Khan and hoping to work with Shah Rukh and more.
The world of Mortal Kombat is all geared up for an expansion with the introduction of Mortal Kombat II Aftermath. It will offer new story content and playable characters, among other features. PlayStation announced that Aftermath will be launched on 26 May on its blog and that the story will pick up from where Mortal Kombat II ends.
Max Huang, known for Mortal Kombat, is featured in the 2026 Arabic action thriller 7 Dogs (directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah) as part of a high-profile international cast. He appears alongside Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Monica Bellucci, Ahmed Ezz, and Karim Abdel Aziz in this Saudi-shot production. In an interview with Firstpost, actor Max Huang talks about his role in Salman Khan’s 7 Dogs,' his love for Indian cinema, and especially how he loves watching Priyanka Chopra’s The White Tiger and RRR.
More from EntertainmentEdited excerpts from the interview:
What was the preparation like for the role in Mortal Kombat II
My preparation was basically my twenty years of martial arts background. My dream was to portray a character who had these fighting abilities. But the real preparation for Mortal Kombat II started in 2019. That is when the major chunk of the work started. Most of the preparation was actually done for the first part. For the second part, all the martial art moves were the outcome of the first movie. The martial art preparation was extremely tough and challenging. The training started six months before the shooting, and that felt like the perfect scenario and enough time for preparation. There was a lot of work that was put into it, including rigorous physical training, mental conditioning, and mastering various techniques essential for the performance. I am very proud of the outcome, and I think we have raised the bar for martial arts.
What are your expectations from the film?
I am generally a person who doesn’t have much expectation, but when I saw it personally, I really enjoyed the movie. I wanted to see how the story would evolve. There are so many possibilities with the franchise, and there are so many interesting characters. I have a very positive feeling from the outcome of the film, and I think that the fans of this film are going to enjoy part II as well.
On working with Karl Urban in Mortal Kombat...
He is an amazing actor and human being, and when I first met him, I realized he was so down to earth and easy to work with. He has put in a lot of sweat and commitment to resemble the role of Johnny Cage, and I am very proud of not only him but also each and every cast member; they are just shining. We all grew together as a family. In the first part itself we bonded very well, so when the second one happened, it was like a family reunion. In the second one we had new characters joining us, so the family became bigger.
How much has your character evolved in the second part?
His biggest trouble now is that he is extremely disappointed by his family and loved ones that he is convinced now that they have done him wrong and it is almost like he has got brain washed in a way. It is a very interesting transformation for my character, because he has evolved not only on the physical side but also on the mental side. Mortal Combat is not only a bunch of kicks and punches, it actually does have a lot more deeper meaning.
What are the Indian films that you love watching?
One of the last films that I have seen was RRR, and I must say it was quite a ride. And I have also seen Monkey Man. I also loved watching Priyanka Chopra’s The White Tiger.
Do you wish to work in a Bollywood film ever?
To answer your question, yes! I would say just give me a call anytime. I just finished shooting a film with Salman Khan. He is a megastar, and that is a privilege for me. The movie is an action thriller and is called 7 Dogs. It’s going to be out this year.
I also love Shah Rukh Khan because I grew up watching his films. And if ever I am given an opportunity, I will be thrilled to take it.
‘Mortal Kombat II’ releases in cinema halls across the globe on May 8.
WATCH the trailer of Warner Bros. Pictures ‘Mortal Kombat II’ here:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the Entertainment Editor of Firstpost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. She is a 'Rotten Tomatoes' certified critic. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes a huge interest in world cinema. She has been the winner of the prestigious Laadli Media and Advertising Award for Gender Sensitivity for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until it's a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.
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