How do you choose a side when your history and empathy are torn both ways? That’s the question hanging above Kitana and Jade in the new Mortal Kombat II film, out May 8th.
Adeline Rudolph and Tati Gabrielle bring these beloved game characters to life, playing sisters who eventually find their loyalties lie on opposing sides. Speaking to Resonate Voices ahead of the film’s release, Rudolph and Gabrielle dived into what it means to bring these characters to life, their sisterhood that helped them play into the tensions and bonds of the characters, and what the roles taught them about themselves.
Both Kitana and Jade are seminal characters to the film, what stood out to you initially about these characters?
Adeline: I think for me the first time I read the script I was really intrigued by the idea of trying to bring a new version of this character—who is so iconic and beloved—to life, and playing with the elements of a strong warrior princess. After researching her within the game lore, I wanted to play into her person, the traumas she’s gone through, and the relationships that she has when we meet her at the beginning of this film.
Tati: Most recently I played MK 11, and you see a very different version of Jade there. So to see a very conflicted version of Jade—one before she chooses the right side—I was very intrigued to play that, and what that journey was going to be like for her. I was interested in exploring that relationship between Jade and Kitana, which you see at different points in the canon in different ways, so I was very excited to see how that was going to span out here.
The friendship between your characters drives the central plot of the film. What was it like to build this dynamic between two characters who are also navigating different loyalties and morals?
Tati: I think on the basis of it, they’re sisters. They grew up together, they have a bond, it’s unmistakable. They’ve just hit a point in their lives in the film where they’re being asked to identify who they are, what they stand for. And to choose between love, or the life that’s been set out for them. Adi and I, our relationship spans a really long time. We’ve been sisters for a long time. So we came with that foundation pre-existing.
Adeline: We really got to build on that throughout the process. It was really lovely in the scene work, we spent a lot of time incorporating the pre-existing chemistry that we have, but also building on the specific history that Jade and Kitana have. Their push and pull between their loyalties, their relationship, themselves, the realm. It was really fun exploring that through the lens of Kitana and Jade in this movie.
What did playing these characters teach you about yourself?
Tati: I’m already a really empathetic person, but this challenged the levels of my empathy to a new degree. I was really resistant to her, and I knew that was a really good thing. For me it amplified my empathy. There are some people that you cannot get upset with because indoctrination and conditioning has an incredible effect on people. And if you meet them where they are, and try to remind them where they can be, you can bring them to the other side.
Adeline: I think for me, it’s the stunts. I learned that if I put my mind to it, I can get to a place where I can do well at something.
Mortal Kombat II in cinemas 8th May
