 Liu Kang is the primary hero of both Mortal Kombat movies , where he is portrayed by Robin Shou . Director Paul W. S. Anderson wanted Liu Kang 's character to be " really engaging " and chose Shou , noting his skills with martial arts . In the first film , he takes part in the tournament out of guilt over his brother 's death at the hands of Shang Tsung ( portrayed by Cary @-@ Hiroyuki Tagawa ) , and defeats Tsung in the final battle . As a result of the film 's style the relationship between Liu Kang and Kitana is more of a metaphysical than a romantic nature . Shou , along with Talisa Soto ( Kitana ) , was one of only two actors to reprise their roles in the sequel , Mortal Kombat : Annihilation ( Keith Cooke , who played Reptile , returned as well , but as the new Sub @-@ Zero ) . In the sequel , Liu Kang joins the Earthrealm warriors to stop Shao Kahn 's menace . In the animated film Mortal Kombat : The Journey Begins , serving as a prequel to the first film , Liu Kang appears as one of the main characters . 
 Liu Kang <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a>the primary hero of both Mortal Kombat movies , where he is portrayed by Robin Shou . Director Paul W. S. Anderson wanted Liu Kang <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>character to be " really engaging " and chose Shou , noting his skills with martial arts . In the first film , he <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>takes</mark></a> part in the tournament out of guilt over his brother <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>death at the hands of Shang Tsung ( portrayed by Cary @-@ Hiroyuki Tagawa ) , and <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>defeats</mark></a> Tsung in the final battle . As a result of the film <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>style the relationship between Liu Kang and Kitana <a href='drop_aux' title='7'><mark>is</mark></a>more of a metaphysical than a romantic nature . Shou , along with Talisa Soto ( Kitana ) , was one of only two actors to reprise their roles in the sequel , Mortal Kombat : Annihilation ( Keith Cooke , <a href='null_relcl' title='8'><mark>who</mark></a>played Reptile , returned as well , but as the new Sub @-@ Zero ) . In the sequel , Liu Kang <a href='uninflect' title='9'><mark>joins</mark></a> the Earthrealm warriors to stop Shao Kahn <a href='null_genetive' title='10'><mark>'s</mark></a>menace . In the animated film Mortal Kombat : The Journey Begins , serving as a prequel to the first film , Liu Kang <a href='uninflect' title='11'><mark>appears</mark></a> as one of the main characters . 
Liu Kang the primary hero of both Mortal Kombat movies , where he is portrayed by Robin Shou . Director Paul wid. S. Anderson wanted Liu Kang  character to be " really engaging " and chose Shou , noting his skills with martial arts . In da first film , he take part in tdatournament out of guilt over his homeboy  death at the hands of Shang Tsung ( portrayed by Cary @-@ Hiroyuki Tagawa ) , and defeat Tsung in thdainal battle . As a result of the film  style the relationship between Liu Kang and Kitana more of a metaphysical den a romantic nature . Shou , along wit Talisa Soto ( Kitana ) , was one of only 2 actors to reprise their roles in the sequel , Mortal Kombat : Annihilation ( Keith Cooke , played Reptile , returned as well , but as the new Sub @-@ Zero ) . In thedaquel , Liu Kang join the dathrealm warriors to stop Shao Kahn  menace . In the adaated film Mortal Kombat : The Jodaey Begins , serving as a prequel to the first film , Liu Kang appear as one of the maidaharacters .