Jade’s NEW Look in Mortal Kombat 2 is PURE CHAOS!
Fans are LOSING IT over Jade’s shocking redesign—ripped straight from a REJECTED Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet concept! Is this a bold move or a total disaster? 😱
The Jade Redesign Controversy in Mortal Kombat 2: A Bold Move or a Franchise Misstep?
Introduction
The release of the Mortal Kombat 2 trailer on July 16, 2025, was meant to ignite excitement for the sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat film, set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025. Directed by Simon McQuoid and featuring a star-studded cast, including Karl Urban as Johnny Cage and Tati Gabrielle as Jade, the film promised to elevate the franchise with iconic characters like Shao Kahn, Kitana, and Sindel. However, one detail stole the spotlight: Jade’s radical redesign, particularly her bald appearance, which some claim mirrors a rejected concept from Naughty Dog’s upcoming game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The backlash has been fierce, with fans on X and Reddit calling it “delusional” and accusing the filmmakers of “wrecking” a fan-favorite character. This article dives into the controversy, exploring Jade’s redesign, its ties to Intergalactic, and what it means for Mortal Kombat 2 and its fanbase.
Jade in Mortal Kombat: A Beloved Legacy
Jade, first introduced in Mortal Kombat II (1993) as a hidden character and playable in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), is a cornerstone of the franchise. A childhood friend of Princess Kitana, Jade is an Edenian assassin who serves Outworld’s emperor Shao Kahn but ultimately sides with Kitana to liberate her realm. Known for her green garb, steel bō staff, and razor-sharp “razorangs,” Jade’s design has evolved over the years, from a green palette-swap of Kitana to a distinct character with revealing outfits, long hair, and a sassy personality. Her Mortal Kombat 9 (2011) design, with vibrant green attire and gold accents, is often cited as a fan favorite, while her Mortal Kombat 11 look, with a maroon color scheme, sparked mixed reactions for its departure from tradition.
In the Mortal Kombat 2 film, Jade, played by Tati Gabrielle, appears in a muted green costume with gold accents but without her signature long hair or mask, sporting a shaved head instead. This drastic change has fueled speculation that the design draws from a rejected concept for Gabrielle’s role as Jordan A. Mun in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi game by Naughty Dog set for a future release. The controversy has divided fans, with some decrying the change as disrespectful to the source material and others urging patience until the film’s release.
The Redesign Controversy: Why the Outrage?
The Mortal Kombat 2 trailer, which debuted at San Diego Comic-Con, showcased a high-stakes tournament with visceral action and iconic characters. However, Jade’s brief five-second appearance—bald and maskless—sparked immediate backlash. Posts on X, such as one from @DEREMATEXD, labeled the design “horrible” and claimed it “destroys” Jade, while YouTube videos like “DELUSIONAL: Mortal Kombat 2 WRECKS Jade” argued it reused a rejected Intergalactic concept. Reddit threads, including one on r/MortalKombat with 2.9K votes, expressed dismay, with users like u/Zeko_LV joking that Gabrielle’s contract must mandate bald characters, given her similar look in Intergalactic and The Last of Us Season 2.
Several factors drive the outrage:
Departure from Iconic Design: Jade’s long hair and vibrant green costume are hallmarks of her identity. Fans argue that the bald look, while bold, strips away her recognizability. One Reddit user noted, “Jade’s been one of my all-time favorites since UMK3. I’m not hating on the actress, but this change feels unnecessary.”
Intergalactic Connection: The claim that Jade’s design stems from a rejected Intergalactic concept has fueled speculation. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, announced in December 2024, features Gabrielle as a bounty hunter in a sci-fi universe with an ‘80s aesthetic. While no evidence confirms a “rejected” design, the visual similarity—Gabrielle’s shaved head in both projects—has led fans to assume overlap, amplifying accusations of lazy or uninspired casting.
Cultural Sensitivity and “Woke” Backlash: Some criticism has taken a toxic turn, with posts on r/CriticalDrinker using derogatory terms like “racially ambiguous tadpole” to describe Gabrielle, hinting at broader anti-diversity sentiments. This echoes controversies around Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Ghost of Yotei, where inclusivity was labeled “woke.” Such reactions unfairly target Gabrielle, who has proven her talent in Uncharted and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Perceived Lack of Respect for Lore: Fans fear the redesign signals a disregard for Mortal Kombat’s lore. Producer Todd Garner’s response on X, stating there’s a “lore reason” for Jade’s look tied to her servitude to Shao Kahn, has been met with skepticism. A Reddit user remarked, “If it’s just tattoos to show she’s Shao’s servant, that’s weak. Fans are gonna be annoyed.”
Defending the Redesign: A Case for Patience
Not all reactions have been negative. Director Simon McQuoid and filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto, who has seen the film, have defended Gabrielle’s portrayal. Tjahjanto called her a “beautiful woman” who delivers a “great combo” with Kitana, urging fans to “reserve judgment” until the film’s release. On Reddit, u/XulManjy argued, “The people bitching about Jade are the same ones who hate everything. Her outfit looks solid, and the movie seems 100 times better than the first.” Others noted that character designs often vary across Mortal Kombat games, citing Johnny Cage’s evolving look as evidence that change is part of the franchise.
Gabrielle’s casting also brings star power. Her roles in The Last of Us as Nora and Intergalactic showcase her ability to embody complex characters. The decision to forgo a mask allows her to convey emotions, aligning with the film’s cinematic goals. As u/Professional-Wizard8 posted on r/MortalKombat, “When every other post is about Jade’s head, it gets old. Let’s focus on the movie’s potential.”
The Intergalactic Connection: Fact or Fiction?
The claim that Jade’s design uses a “rejected” Intergalactic concept lacks concrete evidence but persists due to Gabrielle’s shared appearance across projects. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, directed by Neil Druckmann, is a sci-fi game set 2,000 years in the future, with Gabrielle as Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter wielding a kinetic sword. The game’s trailer, released in December 2024, features Gabrielle with a shaved head, mirroring her Mortal Kombat 2 look. While fans speculate this design was “rejected” for Intergalactic and repurposed, no official sources confirm this. It’s more likely that Gabrielle’s preferred hairstyle or production schedules influenced both roles, as noted by The Gamer. The controversy may stem from fans’ frustration with seeing a familiar actress in visually similar roles, amplified by misinformation on X.
The Broader Context: Fan Expectations and Toxicity
The Jade controversy reflects broader tensions in gaming and film fandoms, as seen in your previous discussions about Oblivion Remastered, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Fans often resist changes to beloved characters, especially when they perceive a “woke” agenda, a term weaponized against diversity in media. The harassment faced by Gabrielle echoes that of Erika Ishii in Ghost of Yotei, highlighting a toxic undercurrent in gaming communities. As u/Adachi_1984 noted on Reddit, “We should be able to disagree respectfully without turning to insults.”
Mortal Kombat 2’s production faced challenges, including a 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike delay, which may have limited design adjustments. Garner’s promise of a lore-based explanation—possibly tied to Jade’s servitude or a new arc—suggests an attempt to honor the character’s roots. The film’s trailer, with its Mortal Kombat II-inspired portal stage and gory action, indicates a commitment to the franchise’s legacy, which may outweigh the redesign’s impact.
Impact on Mortal Kombat 2’s Reception
The controversy risks overshadowing Mortal Kombat 2’s strengths, including its stellar cast (Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana) and improved action compared to the 2021 film. The first movie grossed $83.6 million globally, and the sequel aims higher with a bigger budget and fan-favorite characters. However, the Jade backlash could dampen hype, especially if fans perceive a disconnect from the source material. Conversely, a strong performance by Gabrielle could silence critics, as seen with Ghost of Tsushima’s eventual acclaim despite initial cultural concerns.
The Bigger Picture: Balancing Tradition and Innovation
The Jade redesign debate underscores the challenge of adapting video games for film. Fans demand fidelity to the source material, but filmmakers must balance this with cinematic storytelling. Jade’s bald look may serve a narrative purpose, such as symbolizing her enslavement or a new identity, but its execution must justify the change. As The Gamer noted, “Just because a character has a different look doesn’t mean the movie will be a trainwreck.” The controversy also highlights the need for studios to engage fans early to manage expectations, especially in an era of vocal online communities.
Conclusion
The uproar over Jade’s redesign in Mortal Kombat 2 reflects the passion and protectiveness of the Mortal Kombat fanbase, but it also reveals the toxicity that can arise when expectations clash with creative choices. While the link to a “rejected” Intergalactic design remains speculative, the backlash underscores broader debates about fidelity, diversity, and fan entitlement in gaming adaptations. Tati Gabrielle’s talent and the film’s promising trailer suggest Mortal Kombat 2 could overcome the controversy, but only if it delivers a compelling Jade and a faithful yet innovative story. As the October 24, 2025, release approaches, fans are left to decide: is this redesign a bold evolution or a misstep? Check out the trailer and join the debate to see where you stand.
