For every memorable fighting game that has been released, there is always at least one character or move, or both, that stands out in people's minds. While Street Fighter may be one of the most beloved fighting games, with Ryu being one of the franchise's most notable character, Mortal Kombat has Scorpion and what is possibly one of the most famous fighting moves in gaming history. Now, a video has emerged which shows behind the scene footage of the character's "get over here!" action being invented on the spot.
Uploading a video to Twitter yesterday, Ed Boon the co-creator of Mortal Kombat and Injustice, has been able to show footage from a 1992 video shoot, in which the original Scorpion actor, Daniel Pesina, is donned in the famous yellow ninja's garbs. In the clip that lasts just over two minutes, the camera is focussed on Pesina/Scorpion, with Boon and John Tobias off-screen directing his movements.
Early on in the video, Boon has a brainwave and says to the actor, "you know what would be a cool ass move?" and then proceeds to ponder whether ninjas ever used ropes. He then begins to workshop an idea which involves a rope with an arrow attached being thrown by the soon-to-be iconic Mortal Kombat character, and then directs Pesina to mimic his movements. After numerous attempts and brainstorming ideas, they eventually settle on a windup, followed by the throwing of an invisible ninja rope, which then concludes in a quick pulling motion. Thus, Scorpions "get over here!" move is born, and it was all improvised during a video shoot. Boon said in the tweet that he uploaded the video as an early celebration of the game's 30th anniversary, which will occur next year.
What's also interesting about the video is how much into the character Pesina seems to be. Between takes, while Boon and Tobias are directing him, he is still posing as Scorpion, either in his signature fighting stance, or with his hands on his hips. Given the excitable way in which the director hits on this idea in a flash, it's hardly surprising that Scorpion is one of Ed Boon's favorite MK characters, whose rivalry with Sub-Zero, also played by Pesina, is legendary among the franchise's fan base.
With word that Mortal Kombat 12 may be starting development soon, it is amazing that the series is still going after almost three decades. Its excessive gore and violence, and roster of characters, is probably what keeps fans interested. But it's that famous move from Scorpion which many will always think about when they talk about the games.
Mortal Kombat 11 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.