He’s the guy who literally refused to stay dead. If you watched the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot, you saw Joe Taslim’s Bi-Han—the original Sub-Zero—get absolutely torched by Scorpion in that final warehouse showdown. It was brutal. It was final. Or so we thought. But honestly, in this universe, death is usually just a career pivot.
Enter the Noob Saibot Mortal Kombat movie evolution.
For fans who grew up jamming quarters into arcade cabinets, seeing Bi-Han transition from the icy Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei into the shadow-bending wraith is a rite of passage. But the upcoming Mortal Kombat II film, set to hit theaters on May 8, 2026, is doing things a bit differently.
The Resurrection of Bi-Han
Let’s be real for a second: Joe Taslim was the best part of the first movie. His Sub-Zero didn't just walk; he loomed. He felt like a slasher villain in a ninja suit. So, when Warner Bros. confirmed he was coming back for the sequel, nobody was actually surprised. They just wanted to know how.
In the games, the lore is pretty established. After Scorpion kills Bi-Han, the sorcerer Quan Chi finds his soul in the Netherrealm. He strips away every ounce of humanity, pride, and compassion, leaving behind a husk of pure darkness. This is Noob Saibot. He isn't just a "dark ninja." He is a shadow wraith.
The movie looks to be following this path closely. Damon Herriman has been cast as Quan Chi, and we already know from the final moments of the first film that Shang Tsung isn't done with his "pawns."
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Why Noob Saibot Is a Total Game-Changer
What makes Noob Saibot scary isn't just the black suit. It's the shadow clone.
Director Simon McQuoid has hinted that the visual effects for Noob will be a significant step up. Think about it. You aren't just fighting one guy; you're fighting a man and his sentient, murderous shadow. In the game Mortal Kombat 11, this was handled with incredible fluid animation where the shadow would hold a victim in place while the "real" Noob delivered the killing blow.
Taslim has mentioned in interviews that Noob Saibot is "stronger than he was in the first film." That’s a terrifying prospect considering he was already wiping the floor with Cole Young and Hanzo Hasashi simultaneously for most of their fight.
What to Expect from the Noob Saibot Mortal Kombat Movie Design
There’s been some chatter about the costume. Early leaks and promotional talk suggested the design draws heavily from the Mortal Kombat 11 aesthetic—specifically the "Kilgore" look. It’s got that organic, almost obsidian-like texture.
- The Mask: Expect something more skeletal or jagged than the sleek Lin Kuei visor.
- The Powers: Say goodbye to the ice daggers. We’re moving into portals, shadow slides, and scythes.
- The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated malice.
The most interesting part? The relationship with the new Sub-Zero. In the source material, Bi-Han’s younger brother, Kuai Liang, takes up the mantle to honor his brother’s memory, only to eventually find out his brother is now a monster serving the Netherrealm. It’s a tragic family dynamic that the movie is perfectly positioned to exploit.
A Franchise First: Scorpion vs. Noob Saibot
Here’s a weird fact: despite being the ultimate rivals, Hanzo Hasashi (Scorpion) and Noob Saibot haven't actually had a massive, definitive cinematic showdown as these specific versions of themselves. In the games, they cross paths, but the 2026 film is setting this up as a "Franchise First" main event.
It’s personal. Hanzo killed Bi-Han. Bi-Han killed Hanzo’s family. The cycle of revenge is basically the fuel for the entire plot. Seeing Hiroyuki Sanada's Scorpion go up against a wraith version of his greatest enemy is exactly why people are buying tickets.
The Mystery of the Shadow Clone
How do you film a shadow clone without it looking like a cheap CGI gimmick?
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Reports from the set suggest they’ve used a mix of "low-gloss, textured black rubber" for the base suit and "dark grey pearlescent reflective finishes" for the armor. The idea is to make Noob Saibot look like he’s absorbing the light around him. When the shadow clone emerges, it needs to feel like a separate entity, not just a double-exposure effect.
Honestly, the "Khaos Reigns" influence from the recent games might play a role here too. The way Noob moves now is less like a human and more like smoke. It’s twitchy. It’s unpredictable.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re trying to keep up with the Noob Saibot Mortal Kombat movie hype, here is how to prepare:
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- Watch the 2021 Film Again: Pay close attention to Bi-Han’s cruelty. It establishes why his soul was "corruptible" enough to become a wraith in the first place.
- Check Out Joe Taslim’s Martial Arts Work: If you haven’t seen The Raid or The Night Comes for Us, do it now. It shows you the level of physicality he brings to Noob Saibot.
- Track the Release Date: Remember, the movie was pushed back from late 2025 to May 8, 2026. Don't get caught looking for it this October.
- Explore the Lore: Look into the "Brotherhood of Shadow." This is the faction Noob usually leads or serves within the Netherrealm, and it might give us a hint about the third movie's direction.
The transition of Bi-Han into Noob Saibot is arguably the most anticipated character arc in the new sequel. It shifts the movie from a standard martial arts flick into something much darker and more supernatural. Whether he’s a primary villain or a chaotic third party remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the shadows are getting a lot more dangerous in 2026.