WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Mortal Kombat, now in theaters and streaming on HBO Max.
Mortal Kombat has had a revolving cast over the years, with the franchise’s most recent games restoring Liu Kang‘s place as the series’ main character. Liu Kang is perhaps known most for his rivalry with Shang Tsung, just as Sonya Blade is known for hers with the mercenary Kano. However, perhaps the franchise’s biggest and bloodiest feud is between its original color-coded ninjas.
The wraith known as Scorpion was once Hanzo Hasashi, a man who was killed along with his family and clan. This was done in most tellings by Sub-Zero, whose icy powers paralleled the fire the reborn Scorpion would then possess. No matter their particular moral allegiance, Scorpion and Sub-Zero are almost always at odds with each other, even in the newest movie. Here’s a look at how Mortal Kombat elemental palette swaps have continued to stay at each other’s throats and spines.
Click the button below to start this article in quick view.
Sub Zero Vs. Scorpion: When Did Their Mortal Kombat Rivalry Begin?
The hatred the two fighters harbor for each began years before when Scorpion and his family were killed. Due to Quan Chi’s manipulation, he believed that Bi-Han, the original Sub-Zero and member of a rival clan, was behind it. Reborn as a hellspawn wraith, he fought against Sub-Zero in the first game’s tournament, killing him and avenging his wife, child and the Shirai Ryu. The original Sub-Zero would be reborn as the shadowy Noob Saibot, while his brother Kuai Liang would take up the frosty mantle and targeted the undead Scorpion for revenge.
Scorpion Vs. Sub Zero in Comic Books
The original Malibu Comics also had the two at each other’s throats, though it changed Scorpion’s allegiance somewhat. The original games had Scorpion as something of an anti-hero, with his moral neutrality only becoming antagonistic against Sub-Zero. In the comics, however, he was explicitly evil, and his quest for vengeance targeted those Sub-Zero was closest to. After killing the twin warrior Siang, Scorpion would finally gain his revenge and perform a toasty fatality on Sub-Zero.
What the New Mortal Kombat Games Brought to Scorpion Vs. Sub Zero
The rebooted continuity utilized since Mortal Kombat IX has had a similar backstory for Sub-Zero and Scorpion, albeit with a few changes. Raiden was forewarned of Scorpion’s killing of Sub-Zero and the latter’s subsequent rebirth as Noob Saibot, and he urged the vengeful Shirai Ryu to spare his opponent. Unfortunately, Quan Chi continued to play with his mind, reminding him of his wife and child’s cruel murder at Sub-Zero’s hand. This caused history to repeat itself and cement their rivalry in history.
Mortal Kombat 2021: the Blood Feud between Scorpion and Sub Zero, Explained
The 2021 Mortal Kombat film retains the same basic formula for the duo’s relationship, though it’s truly Sub-Zero, a.k.a. Bi-Han, who kills the Shirai Ryu. Scorpion sees his frozen wife and child before Bi-Han finishes him off, but Hanzo’s youngest child had been hidden away and spared. Raiden found the child and took her far away from where Sub-Zero could find her, and her modern descendant is Cole Young. Young becomes one of Raiden’s Earthrealm warriors, and with the spirit of his ancestor, the hellish wraith Scorpion, he defeated Bi-Han for good.
Will Scorpion Vs. Sub Zero EVER End?
The Mortal Kombat games have seemingly ended the blood feud between Scorpion and Sub-Zero, with the two coming to terms, making peace and even fighting alongside each other in Mortal Kombat 11. The movie’s potential sequels, however, will likely keep the fire (and ice) ignited, introducing Kuai Liang to avenge Bi-Han. The latter will also likely reappear as Noob Saibot, further keeping the rivalry alive on the big screen for years to come.
Directed by Simon McQuoid and produced by James Wan, Mortal Kombat stars Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Mehcad Brooks as Jackson “Jax” Bridges, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han and Sub-Zero, Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion, Max Huang as Kung Lao, Sisi Stringer as Mileena, Matilda Kimber as Emily Young and Laura Brent as Allison Young. The film is now in theaters and available to stream on HBO Max.