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Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)
Encyclopedia
Scorpion is a recurring player
and boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game
series. He has been a playable character in all the games, with the exception of the original version of Mortal Kombat 3
.
named Hanzo Hasashi, formerly one of the Shirai Ryu's finest warriors, who became a hellspawned revenant
residing in the Netherrealm underworld and seeking vengeance against those responsible for the destruction of his clan and the death of his family. Although essentially neutral in allegiance, Scorpion will ally with anyone who can assist his plans of revenge. He was once manipulated by Quan Chi, whom he promised his life in exchange for his impressive combat abilities in order to defeat Sub-Zero. Since Scorpion is a spectre, sorcery and supernatural anomalies have proven effective against him in battle, although none of them had served to destroy him.
Scorpion is introduced in the first Mortal Kombat
game as a dead warrior who enters into the Mortal Kombat tournament to kill Sub-Zero, the man who killed him. Scorpion manages to kill his target, but later learns that Sub-Zero plans to compete in the second tournament
. Enraged at the idea that his nemesis has somehow returned, Scorpion tracks him down during the tournament. He realizes that this Sub-Zero was actually his killer's younger brother, who was sent to complete his brother's failed mission of assassinating the tournament's host Shang Tsung
. As a result, Scorpion vows to serve as the new Sub-Zero's guardian in atonement for killing his older brother. He also appears as a boss character in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
(set during the events of Mortal Kombat II), as he tries to kill the protagonists Liu Kang
and Kung Lao
. He appears in both masked and unmasked forms (the latter being named "Inferno Scorpion"). Scorpion returns to the series in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
when Shao Kahn
tries to conquer the Netherealm after his invasion of Earth and enlisted the ninja in his forces. Scorpion's allegiance to Kahn quickly dissolved when he discovered that Sub-Zero was one of Earth's chosen warriors, with whom he then sided in their final showdown with Kahn.
In Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero
, Scorpion is only a boss character, appearing twice through the game. Scorpion is enlisted by Quan Chi to find a map hidden in a Shaolin temple, a task also given to Sub-Zero. After Scorpion is killed by Sub-Zero, he again attempts to kill Sub-Zero in the Netherrealm. In Mortal Kombat 4
he is tricked by Quan Chi to believe that the younger Sub-Zero was actually involved in the deaths of his family and clan and joins Quan Chi. Scorpion emerges victorious against the new Sub-Zero, but when Quan Chi reveals afterward the truth, Scorpion grabs the sorcerer to send him to the Netherealm. In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
, Scorpion is attacked by the Oni Drahmin and Moloch, who free the sorcerer from the Netherealm. Scorpion continues hunting Quan Chi and eventually meets the Elder Gods, who give him a new mission to seek and destroy Onaga before he would unmake the realms during the events of Mortal Kombat: Deception
. In the Konquest mode of Armageddon
, Scorpion makes a deal with the Elder Gods to serve them in exchange for the resurrection of the Shirai Ryu clan, along with the resurrection of his wife and son. However, the Elder Gods resurrect them as undead beings. Enraged, Scorpion seeks to destroy the Elder Gods' chance of preventing Armageddon by taking Blaze's power that was meant for Taven or Daegon, but Taven defeats him and Scorpion is later killed by Sub-Zero in battle.
In Shaolin Monks, however, he is not only a boss but also a playable character for both versus and story modes (Scorpion's movesets in this game are largely identical to Liu Kang's with some original techniques). In the 2011 Mortal Kombat title, Scorpion reprises his role from the first tournaments. He serves Quan Chi, unaware that the sorcerer is the true murderer of his family, and kills Sub-Zero despite Raiden's negotiations with him to revive his clan.
Scorpion also appears in the crossover game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
, participating in the war between the two titular series. In addition to the MK series, Scorpion has made appearances in four other Midway games: NBA Jam Tournament Edition, MLB Slugfest: Loaded, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
and The Grid
.
, then left the clan and founded the rival Shirai Ryu. In the games after MK4, his outfit was enhanced with two swords on his back and his kunai
attached to a rope tied to his belt. While he and all the male ninjas were absent from MK3 due to Daniel Pesina
's being fired by Midway, he was later added to UMK3 after John Turk
did the motion capture for the male ninjas. In the 2011 Mortal Kombat game, Scorpion's original outfit was featured as downloadable content.
Scorpion's spear taunts were voiced by Ed Boon
in the games and both films. However, only two of the taunts were included in the home versions of MK and MKII due to memory constraints; the now-famous cries of "Get over here!" played randomly whenever the spear was used. One of the phrases, "Get over here!", according to an interview with Ed Boon, originated because "[...] I just thought it would be funny to have him yell out 'Get over here!' when he did it. So they just said 'Well, why do not you get behind the microphone and do it.'" The phrase "Toasty!," according to MK co-creator John Tobias
, first originated as "You're Toast!" which was a taunt bandied among the programmers during MKII game-testing sessions.
Scorpion was portrayed in Malibu Comics
' MK comic series
as an evil entity, a spectre consumed by revenge against Sub-Zero who had decided to kill those close to him as well before killing him personally. In the conclusion of the Blood & Thunder miniseries, he has a short fight with Kitana
(who stopped him from murdering an unconscious Sub-Zero) that ultimately leads to his demise. During the Battlewave miniseries, Shao Kahn returns Scorpion to the living world using a mystical gem called the "Deathstone," which also allows him to resurrect an army of undead soldiers under his control. Scorpion becomes Shao Kahn's general, while his army replaces the mutants that engrossed his ranks.
In the novelization by Jeff Rovin, Scorpion is a combination of sorts of a father and a son; Sub-Zero killed the father, a former Lin Kuei member named Yong Park, in front of his family. Yong's spirit merged with his son Tsui's body, in order to seek revenge under the form of Scorpion.
Scorpion was played by Chris Casamassa
in the first Mortal Kombat
film. His spear was changed to a living metal snake-like entity that shot from a slit in his palm and could fly to a limited extent. Scorpion's rivalry with Sub-Zero is only mentioned in passing by Shang Tsung in the storyline, which instead had them both serving as his guardians, and he is defeated by Johnny Cage in the Netherrealm. Scorpion returned in the sequel film Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
, played by J.J. Perry
. In it, following a failed assassination attempt by Smoke and his extermination squad due to the unexpected interference of the younger Sub-Zero, Scorpion confronts the would-be victims, Liu Kang and Kitana, but is challenged by Sub-Zero to a duel. After incapacitating Sub-Zero, he successfully captures Kitana and escapes with his captive.
In the animated film Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins, Scorpion was again depicted as a henchmen to Shang Tsung opposite Sub-Zero. On the sorcerer's orders, the duo fight Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade
and are almost successful in killing them until Raiden
intervenes and put the fight to a halt. The backstory relationship of Scorpion and Sub-Zero is explored during the course of the film.
Scorpion appears in the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
in the episode "Sting of the Scorpion", in which he sends an undead army against the Earthrealm defenders and overwhelms Sub-Zero, but is finally defeated by Liu Kang.
He also appeared in several episodes of the TV series Mortal Kombat: Konquest
with an origin different to that of the games, and was again played by Chris Casamassa. His feud with Sub-Zero was also presented in the show, with Scorpion commanding his lover, Peron, to murder Sub-Zero's sister, and Sub-Zero slaying Peron in vengeful retaliation, culminating in a duel which ends in a draw due to the arrival of Kung Lao and his allies, Siro and Taja, who come to aid Sub-Zero.
In the live-action short film Mortal Kombat: Rebirth
, Scorpion is depicted as a voluntary prisoner. During a meeting with Jackson Briggs regarding an underground tournament hosted by Shang Tsung, Sonya Blade shows up with a confidential document about Sub-Zero. She reveals that the person he killed was Sub-Zero's brother. Knowing that Sub-Zero will enter Shang Tsung's deadly tournament, he agrees to participate in the tournament and leave no one alive. Unlike his game incarnation, at the beginning of Rebirth, Scorpion appears to be a normal human, though his eyes are completely white and his signature spear weapon also appears. Actor Michael Jai White
and actress Jeri Ryan
play the roles of Jackson Briggs and Sonya Blade respectively, while Scorpion himself, referred to by his real name Hanzo Hasashi, was played by actor Ian Anthony Dale
.
Dale reprises his role as Scorpion in the Mortal Kombat: Legacy
webseries. In his episode, his story takes place during the years of the shogun
ate, where he is the leader of the Shirai Ryu clan. He is summoned to a meeting with the shogun, which is revealed to be a trap by Bi Han, who is the elder Sub-Zero, in order to lure Hasashi away from his village. After subduing Sub-Zero, he returns to his village where he finds his family dead. He is then stabbed and frozen by Sub-Zero. Shang Tsung appears with Sub-Zero, who then reveals himself to be Quan Chi who took the form of Sub-Zero to manipulate Hasashi. Quan Chi offers him revenge against Sub-Zero in exchange for his service. Hasashi is resurrected as a spectre and takes the name Scorpion.
's "Top 10 Old School Mortal Kombat Characters", with both noted as the most popular characters from the franchise. Scorpion and Sub-Zero also shared the fifth place on the top video game ninja list by PC World
in 2009. A GamesRadar
article from 2011 discussed their evolution across the Mortal Kombat series, citing them as its two most popular characters. In Game Informer
s 2009 list of "Top Ten Best Fighting Game Characters" Scorpion was third in response of his techniques.
IGN
's Jeese Schedeen mentioned that although Scorpion was initially a palette-swapped character, he "is actually a lot more complicated than these initial appearances let on". The same site listed Scorpion's fire-breathing Fatality as second best one from the series due to how the player's perception of the character changes when he removes his mask. In a later article, the site noted that the fatality was not notably changed in following games as a result of how the fatality connects with Scorpion calling it an "enduring classic." In 2009 GamePro
ranked Scorpion and other ninjas from the series third in their list of the best palette-swapped video game characters, adding: "Midway--the world-renowned Gods of the palette swap--has turned the art of making new characters from other, different-colored characters into a science." Scorpion's phrase "Get Over Here!" was also listed in Plays "Ten of the best chat-up lines." In 2010, GamesRadar placed him in their article "Gaming's most badass scorpions" stating that despite not being an actual scorpion he "is one of Mortal Kombat's most beloved characters, and the fact he's named after one of nature's finest creations has surely helped!" ScrewAttack
] placed Scorpion at #1 on their list of "Top 10 Mortal Kombat Kharacters" and complimented his "Get over here!" saying.
Scorpion guest-starred on an episode of Drawn Together
, depicted as a cut-out from Mortal Kombat: Deception. He also appeared in the webcomic VG Cats
trying to ask Sonya Blade out on a date.
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
and boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
series. He has been a playable character in all the games, with the exception of the original version of Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game developed by Midway and released in 1995, first as an arcade game. It is the third game in the Mortal Kombat series...
.
In video games
"Scorpion" is the code name of the ninjaNinja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
named Hanzo Hasashi, formerly one of the Shirai Ryu's finest warriors, who became a hellspawned revenant
Revenant (fiction)
In fantasy fiction, the term revenant usually means a sentient creature whose desire to fulfill a special goal allows it to return from the grave as a creature vaguely resembling an intelligent zombie. Another possibility is that a powerful wizard returns a dead hero from the past to make him go on...
residing in the Netherrealm underworld and seeking vengeance against those responsible for the destruction of his clan and the death of his family. Although essentially neutral in allegiance, Scorpion will ally with anyone who can assist his plans of revenge. He was once manipulated by Quan Chi, whom he promised his life in exchange for his impressive combat abilities in order to defeat Sub-Zero. Since Scorpion is a spectre, sorcery and supernatural anomalies have proven effective against him in battle, although none of them had served to destroy him.
Scorpion is introduced in the first Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat (video game)
Mortal Kombat is a 1992 fighting-game developed and published by Midway for arcades. In 1993, home versions were released by Acclaim Entertainment. Released in the Fall of 1994, the Microsoft Windows 3.1x version was released by Activision Interactive. It is the first title in the Mortal Kombat...
game as a dead warrior who enters into the Mortal Kombat tournament to kill Sub-Zero, the man who killed him. Scorpion manages to kill his target, but later learns that Sub-Zero plans to compete in the second tournament
Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II is a competitive fighting game originally produced by Midway Games for the arcades in . It is the second game in the Mortal Kombat series. Like its predecessor, various home versions were produced...
. Enraged at the idea that his nemesis has somehow returned, Scorpion tracks him down during the tournament. He realizes that this Sub-Zero was actually his killer's younger brother, who was sent to complete his brother's failed mission of assassinating the tournament's host Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung is a boss and player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. A powerful and deadly sorcerer and a primary antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shang Tsung is a shapeshifter who absorbs the souls of those he slays in order to maintain his youth and power...
. As a result, Scorpion vows to serve as the new Sub-Zero's guardian in atonement for killing his older brother. He also appears as a boss character in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is an action/beat-em-up video game based on the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games. Shaolin Monks was developed by Midway LA and published by Midway for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox...
(set during the events of Mortal Kombat II), as he tries to kill the protagonists Liu Kang
Liu Kang
Liu Kang is a video game character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. First appearing in the series' first title, Liu Kang is portrayed as a Shaolin monk who enters the Mortal Kombat tournament to save his world, Earthrealm, from being destroyed due to having lost nine consecutive...
and Kung Lao
Kung Lao
Kung Lao is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.Kung Lao is a former Shaolin monk and a former member of the White Lotus Society. He stands in the shadow of his great ancestor, the Great Kung Lao, but unlike his great ancestor he has no desire to be champion and would...
. He appears in both masked and unmasked forms (the latter being named "Inferno Scorpion"). Scorpion returns to the series in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game in the Mortal Kombat series, released in arcades in 1995. It is an update of Mortal Kombat 3 and was later updated again into Mortal Kombat Trilogy...
when Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn is a boss, announcer and recurring playable character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The main antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shao Kahn is the Emperor of Outworld known for his godlike strength, extreme brutality and knowledge of black magic...
tries to conquer the Netherealm after his invasion of Earth and enlisted the ninja in his forces. Scorpion's allegiance to Kahn quickly dissolved when he discovered that Sub-Zero was one of Earth's chosen warriors, with whom he then sided in their final showdown with Kahn.
In Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero is a 1997 action-adventure game spin-off of the fighting game series Mortal Kombat. It is the first Mortal Kombat game to feature side-scrolling gameplay. It was released for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64...
, Scorpion is only a boss character, appearing twice through the game. Scorpion is enlisted by Quan Chi to find a map hidden in a Shaolin temple, a task also given to Sub-Zero. After Scorpion is killed by Sub-Zero, he again attempts to kill Sub-Zero in the Netherrealm. In Mortal Kombat 4
Mortal Kombat 4
Mortal Kombat 4 is the fourth main game in the Mortal Kombat series of fighting video games developed by Midway Games. Released to arcades in 1997, Mortal Kombat 4 is the first title from the series to use 3D computer graphics as well as one of the first games that Midway made in 3D. Eurocom later...
he is tricked by Quan Chi to believe that the younger Sub-Zero was actually involved in the deaths of his family and clan and joins Quan Chi. Scorpion emerges victorious against the new Sub-Zero, but when Quan Chi reveals afterward the truth, Scorpion grabs the sorcerer to send him to the Netherealm. In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, originally known as Mortal Kombat V: Vengeance or simply Mortal Kombat 5, is a fighting game developed and published by Midway for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo GameCube, and Game Boy Advance...
, Scorpion is attacked by the Oni Drahmin and Moloch, who free the sorcerer from the Netherealm. Scorpion continues hunting Quan Chi and eventually meets the Elder Gods, who give him a new mission to seek and destroy Onaga before he would unmake the realms during the events of Mortal Kombat: Deception
Mortal Kombat: Deception
Mortal Kombat: Deception is a fighting game developed and published by Midway as the sixth installment for the Mortal Kombat series. It was released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in October 2004, while a Nintendo GameCube version was published in March 2005. Mortal Kombat: Deception follows the...
. In the Konquest mode of Armageddon
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is the seventh game in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The PlayStation 2 version was released in stores on October 11, 2006 while the Xbox version was released on the October 16, with a Wii version released on May 29, 2007 in North America.The game was not released...
, Scorpion makes a deal with the Elder Gods to serve them in exchange for the resurrection of the Shirai Ryu clan, along with the resurrection of his wife and son. However, the Elder Gods resurrect them as undead beings. Enraged, Scorpion seeks to destroy the Elder Gods' chance of preventing Armageddon by taking Blaze's power that was meant for Taven or Daegon, but Taven defeats him and Scorpion is later killed by Sub-Zero in battle.
In Shaolin Monks, however, he is not only a boss but also a playable character for both versus and story modes (Scorpion's movesets in this game are largely identical to Liu Kang's with some original techniques). In the 2011 Mortal Kombat title, Scorpion reprises his role from the first tournaments. He serves Quan Chi, unaware that the sorcerer is the true murderer of his family, and kills Sub-Zero despite Raiden's negotiations with him to revive his clan.
Scorpion also appears in the crossover game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a crossover fighting game from Midway Games and Warner Bros. Games. The eighth game in the Mortal Kombat series, MK vs. DC was released on November 16, . MK vs. DC contains characters from both the Mortal Kombat franchise and the DC Universe...
, participating in the war between the two titular series. In addition to the MK series, Scorpion has made appearances in four other Midway games: NBA Jam Tournament Edition, MLB Slugfest: Loaded, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is a video game developed by Midway Games for the Xbox, PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows PC platforms. It was also being developed for the Nintendo GameCube titled ESPionage but later cancelled. The game was released in North America on June 14, 2004; the...
and The Grid
The Grid (arcade game)
The Grid is a 2001 arcade game by Midway. It is a third person shooter in the form of a super-violent television game show hosted by a Smash TV-like host. It was created by the developers behind the Mortal Kombat series of games. It also has cameos from the Mortal Kombat characters Sub-Zero,...
.
Character design
Scorpion appeared in the first three MK titles simply as a yellow palette swap of Sub-Zero with a different stance, though the original costume used for filming in the first two games was red. According to the back-story of the first game, his outfit is said to have mocked the Lin Kuei, after former Lin Kuei member Takeda developed ninjutsuNinjutsu
or may be:*the arts associated with espionage and assassination in feudal Japan, see Ninja*modern schools of martial arts claiming to be based in these traditions, see Modern Schools of Ninjutsu*fictional depictions, see Ninja in popular culture...
, then left the clan and founded the rival Shirai Ryu. In the games after MK4, his outfit was enhanced with two swords on his back and his kunai
Kunai
A is a Japanese tool possibly derived from the masonry trowel. Two variations are the and the . It is a good example of a very basic tool which, in the hands of a martial arts expert, could be used as a multi-functional weapon...
attached to a rope tied to his belt. While he and all the male ninjas were absent from MK3 due to Daniel Pesina
Daniel Pesina
Daniel Pesina is a martial arts expert and a former employee of Midway. He is most recognized as the actor who played Johnny Cage and ninjas Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Reptile, Smoke, and Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II.Pesina was fired from Midway in 1994 for wearing Cage's costume in...
's being fired by Midway, he was later added to UMK3 after John Turk
John Turk
John Turk is an American model, bodybuilder, personal trainer, former Chicago police officer, and actor.He has three siblings...
did the motion capture for the male ninjas. In the 2011 Mortal Kombat game, Scorpion's original outfit was featured as downloadable content.
Scorpion's spear taunts were voiced by Ed Boon
Ed Boon
Edward J. Boon is an American video game programmer who had been employed for over 15 years at Midway. He now works for Warner Bros...
in the games and both films. However, only two of the taunts were included in the home versions of MK and MKII due to memory constraints; the now-famous cries of "Get over here!" played randomly whenever the spear was used. One of the phrases, "Get over here!", according to an interview with Ed Boon, originated because "[...] I just thought it would be funny to have him yell out 'Get over here!' when he did it. So they just said 'Well, why do not you get behind the microphone and do it.'" The phrase "Toasty!," according to MK co-creator John Tobias
John Tobias
John Tobias is an American comic book artist, graphic designer and video game designer. Along with Ed Boon he is one of the creators of the groundbreaking Mortal Kombat fighting game series....
, first originated as "You're Toast!" which was a taunt bandied among the programmers during MKII game-testing sessions.
In other media
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
' MK comic series
Mortal Kombat comic books
The Mortal Kombat comic books series included the official comics by Midway and a licensed adaptation series by Malibu Comics, published between October 1994 and August 1995...
as an evil entity, a spectre consumed by revenge against Sub-Zero who had decided to kill those close to him as well before killing him personally. In the conclusion of the Blood & Thunder miniseries, he has a short fight with Kitana
Kitana (Mortal Kombat)
Kitana is a recurring player and a one-time boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. One of the lead characters of the Mortal Kombat saga, Kitana is the princess of the otherdimensional realm of Edenia and the daughter of Queen Sindel...
(who stopped him from murdering an unconscious Sub-Zero) that ultimately leads to his demise. During the Battlewave miniseries, Shao Kahn returns Scorpion to the living world using a mystical gem called the "Deathstone," which also allows him to resurrect an army of undead soldiers under his control. Scorpion becomes Shao Kahn's general, while his army replaces the mutants that engrossed his ranks.
In the novelization by Jeff Rovin, Scorpion is a combination of sorts of a father and a son; Sub-Zero killed the father, a former Lin Kuei member named Yong Park, in front of his family. Yong's spirit merged with his son Tsui's body, in order to seek revenge under the form of Scorpion.
Chris Casamassa
Chris Casamassa is an American martial artist of Italian origin , actor and stuntman who is best known for his role as Scorpion in the movie Mortal Kombat, which was based on the popular fighting-game series...
in the first Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat (film)
Mortal Kombat is a 1995 American action and adventure film directed by Paul Anderson. Based on the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games, the film was the first part of the Mortal Kombat film series...
film. His spear was changed to a living metal snake-like entity that shot from a slit in his palm and could fly to a limited extent. Scorpion's rivalry with Sub-Zero is only mentioned in passing by Shang Tsung in the storyline, which instead had them both serving as his guardians, and he is defeated by Johnny Cage in the Netherrealm. Scorpion returned in the sequel film Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is a 1997 American martial arts action film that was the sequel to 1995's Mortal Kombat, and was directed by John R. Leonetti, who had served as the cinematographer for the previous film...
, played by J.J. Perry
J.J. Perry
Jordan Andrew Perry , better known as J.J. Perry, is an American martial artist, actor, and stuntman.-Career:Perry began practicing martial arts training in 1975, at the age of eight. Because his mother was not able to afford her son's lessons, he cleaned a martial arts school, and received...
. In it, following a failed assassination attempt by Smoke and his extermination squad due to the unexpected interference of the younger Sub-Zero, Scorpion confronts the would-be victims, Liu Kang and Kitana, but is challenged by Sub-Zero to a duel. After incapacitating Sub-Zero, he successfully captures Kitana and escapes with his captive.
In the animated film Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins, Scorpion was again depicted as a henchmen to Shang Tsung opposite Sub-Zero. On the sorcerer's orders, the duo fight Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade
Sonya Blade
Sonya Blade is a player character from the Mortal Kombat series. She is portrayed in the games as an officer of the United States Special Forces.-In video games:...
and are almost successful in killing them until Raiden
Raiden (Mortal Kombat)
Raiden is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Raiden, also known as Lord Raiden, is a thunder god of the Mortal Kombat universe and protector of Earthrealm. He commands many supernatural abilities such as the ability to teleport, control over lightning, and flight...
intervenes and put the fight to a halt. The backstory relationship of Scorpion and Sub-Zero is explored during the course of the film.
Scorpion appears in the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, also known as Mortal Kombat: The Animated Series, is a cartoon series based on the popular Mortal Kombat video game series...
in the episode "Sting of the Scorpion", in which he sends an undead army against the Earthrealm defenders and overwhelms Sub-Zero, but is finally defeated by Liu Kang.
He also appeared in several episodes of the TV series Mortal Kombat: Konquest
Mortal Kombat: Konquest
Mortal Kombat: Konquest is an American martial arts television series that aired for one season from 1998 to 1999, and was based on the popular Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The program was filmed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.-Storyline:"In each of us there burns a soul...
with an origin different to that of the games, and was again played by Chris Casamassa. His feud with Sub-Zero was also presented in the show, with Scorpion commanding his lover, Peron, to murder Sub-Zero's sister, and Sub-Zero slaying Peron in vengeful retaliation, culminating in a duel which ends in a draw due to the arrival of Kung Lao and his allies, Siro and Taja, who come to aid Sub-Zero.
In the live-action short film Mortal Kombat: Rebirth
Mortal Kombat: Rebirth
Mortal Kombat: Rebirth is a 2010 action short film directed by Kevin Tancharoen with fight choreography by Larnell Stovall who also choreographed Undisputed III: Redemption. Based on the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games, the short-film "actually was made by the director to sell Warner Bros...
, Scorpion is depicted as a voluntary prisoner. During a meeting with Jackson Briggs regarding an underground tournament hosted by Shang Tsung, Sonya Blade shows up with a confidential document about Sub-Zero. She reveals that the person he killed was Sub-Zero's brother. Knowing that Sub-Zero will enter Shang Tsung's deadly tournament, he agrees to participate in the tournament and leave no one alive. Unlike his game incarnation, at the beginning of Rebirth, Scorpion appears to be a normal human, though his eyes are completely white and his signature spear weapon also appears. Actor Michael Jai White
Michael Jai White
Michael Jai White is an American actor and martial artist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, having starred as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Spawn...
and actress Jeri Ryan
Jeri Ryan
Jeri Lynn Zimmermann Ryan is an American actress best known for her roles as the liberated Borg, Seven of Nine, on Star Trek: Voyager; Tara Cole on Leverage; and Veronica "Ronnie" Cooke on Boston Public. She was also a regular on the science fiction show Dark Skies and the legal drama series...
play the roles of Jackson Briggs and Sonya Blade respectively, while Scorpion himself, referred to by his real name Hanzo Hasashi, was played by actor Ian Anthony Dale
Ian Anthony Dale
Ian Anthony Dale is an American actor.Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, he attended school in Madison, Wisconsin. He is of Japanese, French and English descent. Dale currently stars as Simon Lee on The Event, and was previously known for playing Davis Lee on Surface and his recurring role on Charmed...
.
Dale reprises his role as Scorpion in the Mortal Kombat: Legacy
Mortal Kombat: Legacy
Mortal Kombat: Legacy is an American web series anthology that debuted on Machinima.com's YouTube channel on April 11, 2011. The show is an adaptation of the fictional universe of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise...
webseries. In his episode, his story takes place during the years of the shogun
Shogun
A was one of the hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867. In this period, the shoguns, or their shikken regents , were the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor...
ate, where he is the leader of the Shirai Ryu clan. He is summoned to a meeting with the shogun, which is revealed to be a trap by Bi Han, who is the elder Sub-Zero, in order to lure Hasashi away from his village. After subduing Sub-Zero, he returns to his village where he finds his family dead. He is then stabbed and frozen by Sub-Zero. Shang Tsung appears with Sub-Zero, who then reveals himself to be Quan Chi who took the form of Sub-Zero to manipulate Hasashi. Quan Chi offers him revenge against Sub-Zero in exchange for his service. Hasashi is resurrected as a spectre and takes the name Scorpion.
Reception and cultural impact
UGO.com listed Scorpion at number one on their "Top 11 Mortal Kombat Characters" article, describing him as their "favorite asskicker" while also stating approval for his augmented abilities and attitude with each title. They additionally noted his signature Fatality as one of their favorites in the series. He tied with Sub-Zero in the top from Game RevolutionGame Revolution
Game Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos...
's "Top 10 Old School Mortal Kombat Characters", with both noted as the most popular characters from the franchise. Scorpion and Sub-Zero also shared the fifth place on the top video game ninja list by PC World
PC World
PC World may refer to:* PC World , a computer magazine* PC World , a British computer store chain...
in 2009. A GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
article from 2011 discussed their evolution across the Mortal Kombat series, citing them as its two most popular characters. In Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
s 2009 list of "Top Ten Best Fighting Game Characters" Scorpion was third in response of his techniques.
IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Jeese Schedeen mentioned that although Scorpion was initially a palette-swapped character, he "is actually a lot more complicated than these initial appearances let on". The same site listed Scorpion's fire-breathing Fatality as second best one from the series due to how the player's perception of the character changes when he removes his mask. In a later article, the site noted that the fatality was not notably changed in following games as a result of how the fatality connects with Scorpion calling it an "enduring classic." In 2009 GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
ranked Scorpion and other ninjas from the series third in their list of the best palette-swapped video game characters, adding: "Midway--the world-renowned Gods of the palette swap--has turned the art of making new characters from other, different-colored characters into a science." Scorpion's phrase "Get Over Here!" was also listed in Plays "Ten of the best chat-up lines." In 2010, GamesRadar placed him in their article "Gaming's most badass scorpions" stating that despite not being an actual scorpion he "is one of Mortal Kombat's most beloved characters, and the fact he's named after one of nature's finest creations has surely helped!" ScrewAttack
ScrewAttack
ScrewAttack . is a video game-related website that showcases original entertainment for an audience of video game enthusiasts. Its content is also shown on GameTrailers and IGN...
] placed Scorpion at #1 on their list of "Top 10 Mortal Kombat Kharacters" and complimented his "Get over here!" saying.
Scorpion guest-starred on an episode of Drawn Together
Drawn Together
Drawn Together is an American animated television series, which ran on Comedy Central from October 27, 2004 to November 14, 2007. The series was created by Dave Jeser and Matt Silverstein, and uses a sitcom format with a TV reality show setting...
, depicted as a cut-out from Mortal Kombat: Deception. He also appeared in the webcomic VG Cats
VG Cats
VG Cats is a webcomic written and drawn by Canadian cartoonist Scott Ramsoomair. Published on its own website, it features the adventures of a pair of anthropomorphic cats, who often play the roles of characters in popular video games that are parodied in the strip. Strips are usually presented in...
trying to ask Sonya Blade out on a date.