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Despite a more than 20 year gap in between the last “Mortal Kombat” film and the upcoming release, fans of the franchise have remained loyal to the movies and video games. The latest film in the series will arrive in theaters and on HBO Max on April 16. If you’re not already subscribed to HBO Max a monthly subscription costs $14.99 a month which grants you access to thousands of blockbuster films, hit TV series, and a myriad of classic movie titles, plus exclusive programming including “Mortal Kombat” and a slate of films on the Warner Bros. roster, all of which will be available to stream for the first month after the films are released in theaters.

As the Avengers assemble in Age Of Ultron this week, we look back at the true beginnings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.    Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998)   Director: Rod Hardy  Stars: David Hasselhoff, Lisa Rinna, Sandra Hess   One-eyed bastard Nick Fury must take a break from routine misogyny and chain smoking to return to S.H.I.E.L.D. and save the world from a Nazi virus. Before Samuel L. Jackson wore the eye patch, there was David Hasselhoff....

Before Marvel Studios, Samuel L. Jackson and ABC's "Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.", there was "Baywatch" actor David Hasselhoff delivering a 'Jack Burton'-type comic book performance in director Rod Hardy's 1998 TV movie, "Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.", produced by Marvel's Stan Lee and written by David Goyer ("Man Of Steel"), based on the Marvel Comics character, inspired by the illustrations of Jim Steranko, with actress Sandra Hess as 'Andrea von Strucker' aka 'Viper'.

"I was the first 'Nick Fury'", said Hasselhoff.

"...'Nick Fury', retired, is approached to return to duty to take down agents of the terrorist organization 'Hydra', led by the children of 'Baron Wolfgang von Strucker', an old enemy of his. Hydra has reconstituted a pathogen known as the 'Death's Head' virus, and threatens to attack Manhattan with it, barring payment of Us $1 billion..."

"Stan Lee put me in that. Came on...

Sneak Peek in its entirety, actor David Hasselhoff in director David Hardy's 1998 TV movie, "Nick Fury: Agent of Shield", based on Marvel Comics character 'Nick Fury', written by David Goyer ("Man Of Steel"). Also starring is Lisa Rinna as 'Contessa Valentina "Val" Allegra de Fontaine' and Sandra Hess as 'Andrea von Strucker' aka 'Viper'.

"I was the first 'Nick Fury'", said Hasselhoff in a recent interview.

"...'Nick Fury', retired, is approached to return to duty to take down agents of the terrorist organization 'Hydra', led by the children of 'Baron Wolfgang von Strucker', an old enemy of his. Hydra has reconstituted a pathogen known as the 'Death's Head' virus, and threatens to attack Manhattan with it, barring payment of Us $1 billion..."

"Stan Lee put me in that. Came on the set and told me all about Nick...

"He said 'You're the ultimate Nick Fury'.

A couple make small talk at dinner, interspersed with flashes of what is about to befall them. Their home is invaded and the husband is killed presumably during the attack. It was apparent their marriage is over. Flack (Eddie Cahill) says the wife called for help which must have been a feat itself considering she was bound, gagged and in the bedroom. There were two intruders and both wore ski masks, what we'd call balaclavas. The daughter Megan, (Heather Sossaman) was at the movie theatre. Mac (Gary Sinise) questions all the houses in the neighbourhood to find out "why the attackers chose this one?" Lindsay (Anna Belknap) processes the Cs as we get more flashes of the events from the night. She finds a ski mask under the husband, Ron's (Vincent Ventresca) Db and the empty box that was delivered. Jo (Sela Ward) finds a hair from a slashed painting.

Mortal Kombat (1995)

Stars: Robin Shou, Christopher Lambert, Linden Ashby, Talisa Soto, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Bridgette Wilson | Written by Kevin Droney | Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson

Based on the video game of the same name, Mortal Kombat tells the story of a group of martial artists plucked from Earth by the mysterious Lord Rayden to fight in an ancient tournament that sees otherworldy realms compete for the right to conquer the losing realms. So far Outworld has nine wins against Earth, so… so what!

To hell with a synopsis. Just know this: a bunch of good guy martial artists take on a bunch of bad guy martial artists in a collection of some of the best videogame-inspired fight scenes ever committed to celluloid. All the key characters from the game are here – Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, Rayden, Johnny Cage, Kano, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Reptile, even the ridiculous Goro.

One of the best movies ever made from a videogame,...

After grossing over $125 million in the Summer of 1995, the popularity of the hit arcade/console game Mortal Kombat was apparent beyond the joystick. Obviously, due to its success, a sequel was made and released in November 1997, but the same type of success eluded Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. Critically ripped apart, the film did go onto gross $51 million, which on a budget of $30, was a minor success still.

John R. Leonetti took over as director for Paul W.S. Anderson, who went on to direct Event Horizon as this film followed the events of the closing moments of the first film. Shao Kahn (played by genre vet Brian Thompson) has ignored the sacred rules of the tournament, and with the defeat of Shang Tsung, has entered the Earth Realm to seize his control. With the help of Raiden (Dexter‘s James Remar filling in for the departed Christopher Lambert), Liu Kang (Robin Shou...

It is Mortal Kombat week as the new video game arrives from Warner Bros. Taking advantage of the buzz, the two theatrical films based on the game are being re-released on Blu-ray as well.

The first Mortal Kombat was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and stars Christopher Lambert, Robin Shou, Linden Ashby and Bridgette Wilson while the sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, was directed by John R. Leonetti and stars Robin Shou, Talisa Soto and James Remar.

If you need help with the gameplay, don't forget the Mortal Kombat Prima Official Game Guide, both paperback and hardcover editions.

Don't fret; there are a couple other less-than-notable horror titles dropping this week, too. You can decide for yourselves if Tokyo Gore Police and Hyenas are worth the space on your library shelf.

Mortal Kombat (Video Game)

By Warner Bros

The newest chapter of the iconic fighting franchise marks a triumphant return to...