Star Wars Is My White Whale: Mortal Kombat Writer Reveals the One Franchise He Would 'Die' to Join

Breaking: 'Mortal Kombat' Writer Jeremy Slater Sets Sights on Star Wars

Los Angeles, CA — Jeremy Slater, the screenwriter behind the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot and its upcoming sequel, has revealed that his ultimate dream project is to write for the Star Wars franchise. In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Slater confirmed he has already held meetings with Lucasfilm—and admits he "nerded out to an embarrassing degree."

'White Whale' Obsession

“Star Wars has always been my white whale,” Slater said. “It’s always been the one thing that I’ve been chasing above all else.” Despite his passion, the writer stressed that he would not accept a Star Wars assignment unless he was confident he could deliver a worthy story. “I also don’t want to take a job unless I can deliver. I can’t think of anything more depressing and terrifying than getting your shot at Star Wars and then dropping the ball.”

Slater’s comments come as Mortal Kombat 2 hits theaters this week, with the screenplay penned by Slater. He is also nearly finished with a second draft for Mortal Kombat 3. The success of the franchise has made him a sought-after action writer, but Star Wars remains his ultimate creative goal.

Background: From Kombat to the Stars

Jeremy Slater first gained recognition as the writer of the 2021 Mortal Kombat film, which rebooted the beloved video game franchise on the big screen. The film grossed over $84 million worldwide and spawned a sequel, Mortal Kombat 2, released this week. Slater is also attached to write Mortal Kombat 3, with a second draft nearly complete.

Outside the kombat franchise, Slater has worked on projects including Fantastic Four (2015) and the Netflix series Umbrella Academy. However, he has long expressed a desire to work within the galaxy far, far away. His meetings with Lucasfilm mark the first public sign that a collaboration could be in the works—though no deal has been finalized.

What This Means for Star Wars

Slater’s potential involvement could inject a fresh, action-heavy perspective into the Star Wars universe. Known for strong character moments and brutal fight choreography in Mortal Kombat, he might be a natural fit for a live-action project requiring visceral stakes. His reverence for the material suggests he would approach the franchise with care, avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued recent spin-offs.

For Lucasfilm, which is currently developing multiple Star Wars films and series, signing a writer with Slater’s proven box-office track record would be a strategic move. Yet Slater’s cautious stance—refusing to join unless he can deliver—indicates that any project he takes on will be carefully considered. Fans can expect an announcement only when Slater feels he has a story worthy of the legacy.

Read the full interview at The Hollywood Reporter. For more on Mortal Kombat 2, check our background section above.