Jax Actor Mehcad Brooks Reveals Struggle With Mortal Kombat Movie Fight Scenes, but Had More Confidence Going Into Mortal Kombat 2
Mehcad Brooks, who portrays Major Jackson “Jax” Briggs in the Mortal Kombat film franchise, has discussed his preparation process for the role, particularly regarding the action sequences. For the first Mortal Kombat film released in 2021, Brooks faced challenges adapting to the physical demands of choreographed fight scenes, which he addressed through professional therapeutic work.
Brooks undertook approximately six therapy sessions to develop a deeper understanding of Jax’s character, a method he employs regularly as he tends to overthink character development before executing it on screen. This introspective approach proved valuable for his performance, as he approached the forthcoming Mortal Kombat 2 sequel with substantially greater confidence.
The character of Jax—a cybernetically-enhanced Special Forces officer originating from the 1993 Mortal Kombat 2 video game—is particularly recognized for his signature bionic metal arms, which his character acquires during the events of the first film. Brooks’ methodical character preparation demonstrates how actors in video game adaptations work to authentically embody iconic gaming characters, particularly those defined by distinct physical attributes and combat capabilities.