Date and time: Wednesday 6 May, 1-2pm
Location: Home of the Arts (HOTA), Gold Coast
Cost: Free
Mortal Kombat II is one of the biggest blockbusters to be made in Queensland. On the eve of its global release in cinemas, join us at Home of the Arts (HOTA) on Wednesday 6 May for an exclusive In Conversation event with director Simon McQuoid and actor Jessica McNamee.
Hear about their career journeys that led to the world of Mortal Kombat and their experiences working in Queensland on the highly anticipated adaptation of the iconic digital game.
Mortal Kombat II is proudly supported by Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy and Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Incentive.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Simon McQuoid is an Australian director best known for his directorial debut, Mortal Kombat (2021), which was a feature film adaptation of the iconic video game franchise of the same name. The film was a central title in reviving the post-pandemic theater industry, reaching $84.8 million worldwide amid COVID restrictions. The film went on to become a top HBO Max streaming title with views from 5.5 million households in the film’s first 17 days.
Up next, McQuoid will return to direct the next installment in the franchise, Mortal Kombat II, which is set for release on Friday 8 May.
As a native of Perth, Simon studied graphic design at university and began his career as an art director in ad agencies across both Australia and the USA. Simon left the agency world to pursue directing, starting with commercials. His work for Apple, HBO, Xbox, PlayStation, Call of Duty, and Halo 3 collectively won him a multitude of awards, including the Film Grand Prix at Cannes. Simon has several new film projects in development.
Australian actress Jessica McNamee reprises her leading role as the iconic Sonya Blade in Warner Bros’ highly-anticipated Mortal Kombat II. McNamee is known for starring opposite Jason Statham in Warner Bros’ global box office hit The Meg, and has appeared in several major studio films, including the Warner Bros crime comedy Chips starring opposite Dax Shepard and Michael Peña, Battle of the Sexes alongside Emma Stone and Steve Carell, Blumhouse’s The Visitor with Finn Jones and The Vow opposite Channing Tatum playing Rachel McAdams’ sister.
On the television side, she is widely known for her breakout role as Sammy Rafter on Network Seven’s award-winning Australian family drama, Packed to the Rafters, and later starred as the female lead on Denis Leary’s USA Network comedy Sirens, among others.
