The original game was supposed to be created around Jean-Claude Van Damme in a Contacto sangriento (1988) sort of theme. The deal didn't go through, and Van Damme starred in the movie Street Fighter: La Última Batalla (1994) based on the games of the same name. Mortal Kombat's character Johnny Cage was an "homage" to JCVD and has been one of the main characters in the canon. Now years later, JCVD is voicing Johnny Cage in this game (which will also make a JCVD skin available for Johnny Cage), coming full circle in the end. In a further bit of irony, Johnny Cage's primary voice actor, Andrew Bowen, portrayed Jean Claude Van Damme in a MadTV parody entitled "One True Impact".
John Wick was considered to be a guest character but was scrapped on account of Keanu Reeves' conflict of interest.
Raiden has taken Liu Kang's place as a Mortal in the New Era.
Kitana and Mileena are twin sisters in the New Era; with Mileena the firstborn.
The Mortal Kombat tournament was founded by Liu Kang and Jerrod to promote fellowship between Outworld and Earthrealm. Because it is a friendly martial arts tournament, no one has been maimed nor killed for over 10 centuries.