It seems that even the most iconic stars of the silver screen are not immune to the allure of the gaming world. Sarah Michelle Gellar, beloved for her roles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Scooby-Doo, was reportedly approached to be a part of the Mortal Kombat franchise. However, the opportunity slipped through the cracks due to dissatisfaction with the proposed terms of her appearance.
The revelation came during an episode of Freddie Prinze Jr.’s wrestling podcast, Wrestling With Freddie. In a discussion about crossovers between wrestling promotions and pop culture brands, Prinze and his co-host Jeff Dye delved into the realm of dream character crossovers. Among the examples mentioned were Marvel and DC Comics, as well as Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter.
It was during this conversation that Prinze dropped the bombshell, revealing that Sarah Michelle Gellar had been approached to appear in a Mortal Kombat game. However, the offer ultimately fell apart due to financial constraints. Prinze humorously remarked, “They tried to get my wife in Mortal Kombat, but they couldn’t afford her. She’s got her price.”
It is worth noting that Gellar has prior experience in the world of video games. She lent her voice and likeness to the character Call of Duty: Black Ops, appearing as herself in the Zombies campaign, Call of the Dead. This role seemingly set a certain precedent for Gellar, establishing her worth within the gaming industry.
Whether Gellar would have portrayed an existing Mortal Kombat character or reprised one of her iconic screen roles like Buffy Summers, the mere thought of seeing her likeness eviscerating Mortal Kombat characters in R-rated fashion is undeniably tantalizing. Alas, this missed opportunity remains nothing more than a dream crossover.
While Gellar’s appearance in Mortal Kombat may not have come to fruition, the franchise has seen its fair share of crossover stars. In the latest installment, Mortal Kombat 1, actress Megan Fox takes on the role of Nitara, an existing character. Additionally, actor Jean-Claude Van Damme appears as an optional character palette swap for Johnny Cage, paying homage to the character’s original design resemblance to Van Damme.
Furthermore, Mortal Kombat 1 introduces post-launch DLC featuring crossover characters from popular franchises. Fans can look forward to playing as Omni-Man from Invincible, Homelander from The Boys, and Peacemaker from Suicide Squad. These characters will be fashioned after their respective actors, including Anthony Starr and John Cena.
Looking back at the previous installment, Mortal Kombat 11, it is evident that the franchise has a knack for incorporating crossover stars. UFC-turned-WWE fighter Rhonda Rousey portrayed the existing character Sonya Blade, while the Terminator featured the likeness of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The character John Rambo was brought to life by Sylvester Stallone’s voice and motion capture, and RoboCop marked the return of actor Peter Weller to the iconic role.
The missed opportunity of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s declined role in Mortal Kombat serves as a reminder of the ever-expanding influence of gaming on popular culture. It highlights the desire of both fans and stars to unite their favorite fictional universes. While Gellar’s participation would have undoubtedly been a visual and visceral treat for fans, we can only speculate about the impact it could have had on the franchise. However, one thing is certain: Mortal Kombat will continue to push boundaries and surprise fans with its ongoing roster of crossover stars.
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