Ludi Lin, who stars as Liu Kang in the upcoming “Mortal Kombat II,” is making moves behind the camera. The Chinese-Canadian actor has signed on as both lead actor and producer for “The Unlucky,” a new sci-fi chiller from filmmaker Quentin Lee.
The project is being shopped to international buyers at the Cannes Film Market by executive producer Jennifer Price, who previously served as the Los Angeles representative for the Quebec Film and Television Council.
“The Unlucky” draws from Lee’s personal experience as an international student in America. The Canada-certified feature follows a Yale graduate student from overseas who falls for a captivating young woman and accepts her Thanksgiving invitation, only to become entangled in a con that spirals into horror.
“‘The Unlucky’ is a genre twisting sexy thrill ride and I am so excited to be a part of it,” Lin said.
The screenplay was co-written by Dennis Escobedo (“Last Summer of Nathan Lee”) and Lee, based on the director’s original story. Lin and Lee will produce through Lee’s British Columbia-based Margin Films Ltd.
Lee, who took home a 2024 Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Special with “Comedy Invasion,” noted the film’s timely themes: “As a former international student in America myself, I can’t think of a more timely moment to tell a horror story on this subject. International students in the U.S. have long been scapegoated and systematically exploited – both financially and historically – by American institutions and the government.”
Price added: “Quentin has assembled a really strong team to bring this amazingly original story to life. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Lin’s “Mortal Kombat II” is slated to hit theaters worldwide on Oct. 24. His credits include the first “Mortal Kombat” film, “Power Rangers” (2017), “Aquaman” (2018), and the critically acclaimed Chinese drama “Summer Knight,” which won the Asian Future Best Film Award at the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival. He also appeared in Netflix’s “Black Mirror” and “Son of the South,” a civil rights drama executive produced by Spike Lee.
Also launching at Cannes on May 15 is Truce, a new TVOD platform featuring two Emmy 2025 FYC titles from Lee among its initial 100-title lineup. The platform will showcase “Rez Comedy,” the first all-Indigenous stand-up comedy documentary feature (for Outstanding Variety Special, Pre-recorded), and “Midnight Snack with Julie Chan,” the first late-night talk series hosted by a Chinese American woman (for Outstanding Talk Series).
Truce positions itself as a “Fair Trade” streaming platform using TODAQ’s TAPP technology, allowing filmmakers greater control over content, viewer relationships and pricing, with instant payouts to production teams following purchases.
