Max Huang Trained for ‘Mortal Kombat 2’s’ Kung Lao With a Cardboard Hat
With ‘Mortal Kombat 2’ on the horizon, a delightful piece of behind-the-scenes trivia from the original film has been circulating on social media, captivating audiences once more.
A video shared by Max Huang on Instagram features him training with a makeshift cardboard version of Kung Lao’s iconic bladed hat, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views and a flurry of positive reactions from devoted fans of the franchise.
Huang first disclosed this fun fact during a press set visit ahead of the release of ‘Mortal Kombat’ in 2021. He explained that after being cast, he immersed himself in research, watching every available in-game footage, including fatalities, brutalities, and classic fight scenes. Lacking access to a real hat during his early training, he creatively crafted one from cardboard to practice his movements in front of a mirror.
Speaking to ComicBook, Huang described the actual hat, which he was eventually flown to New Zealand to try on, as significantly heavier than the cardboard version. This required him to rethink many of the fluid movements he had developed. The shift from a lightweight stand-in to the full-weight prop was a real physical adjustment, showcasing the level of preparation Huang dedicated to a character making his major live-action big-screen debut.
Huang’s experience as a member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and a former gold medallist on the German National Wushu Team made the physical demands of the role a natural extension of his long-honed skills. However, translating the hat work of a video game character into convincing live-action choreography necessitated a unique approach to problem-solving.
The cardboard hat video is also gaining renewed attention due to what lies ahead. Huang is set to reprise his role as Kung Lao in ‘Mortal Kombat 2’, which is scheduled for release on May 8. The sequel places him in a significantly expanded role within the storyline, and fans are eager to see what a more confident version of the character will bring to the next chapter.
Huang has previously expressed the pressure of portraying Kung Lao for the first time in a significant theatrical film. While the character had appeared in web series, this was the moment fans had been waiting for. His serious approach to that responsibility, down to the cardboard prop in his living room, is part of what has made the story resonate so widely.
This kind of detail illustrates how much effort goes into a performance before filming even begins. The bladed hat is one of the most recognizable weapons in gaming history, and the actor who had to wield it on the big screen started by crafting one out of cardboard and practicing alone in front of a mirror. Fans are finding this story just as compelling the second time around.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.