Max Huang Lands Key Role in 'Mortal Kombat II' After Unconventional Start
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Martial artist Max Huang, who began his film career on the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, now plays Kung Lao in the upcoming sequel 'Mortal Kombat II'. Huang's journey to the role included a chance encounter with Jaden Smith and extensive training in Shaolin Kung Fu. He is also developing his own feature film project.
Facts First
- Max Huang plays Kung Lao in the sequel 'Mortal Kombat II', directed by Simon McQuoid.
- His first film role was in 'Chinese Zodiac' as a member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team.
- He trained for one year in Shaolin Kung Fu under monk Shi Yan Lin to prepare for his 'Mortal Kombat II' role.
- Huang is also cast as the villain Lee Chang in the Saudi Arabian production '7 Dogs', which features stunts from the 'John Wick' team.
- He is currently writing and developing an original project to serve as his feature debut as lead actor and action director.
What Happened
Max Huang, a martial artist with 25 years of experience, has been cast as the character Kung Lao in the film 'Mortal Kombat II', a sequel to the 2021 original. Huang prepared for the role by training for one year in Shaolin Kung Fu under monk Shi Yan Lin and received the film's previsualization material approximately eight months before filming began. His path to acting began with a role in 'Chinese Zodiac' as part of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, following an earlier attempt to connect with Jackie Chan in Berlin where he instead gave his showreel to Jaden Smith.
Why this Matters to You
If you're a fan of action and martial arts films, you may see a fresh face with deep technical expertise in major upcoming releases. Huang's casting in 'Mortal Kombat II' and the Saudi film '7 Dogs' suggests these productions are investing in authentic, physically demanding performances, which could lead to more impressive and realistic fight sequences on screen.
What's Next
'Mortal Kombat II' is currently in production. Huang is also set to appear as the villain in '7 Dogs', a production featuring stunts from 87Eleven, the team behind the 'John Wick' franchise. Furthermore, Huang is writing and developing an original project intended to be his feature debut where he would serve as both lead actor and action director.