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Art Lean is a character in the 1995 film Mortal Kombat. Lean is an Earthrealm fighter who participated the tenth tournament.

History[]

Art Lean meets Johnny Cage on the docks while he and the other Earthrealm warriors wait to board the boat Dragon Wing to the tournament held on an island. Lean is one of the few people who believe the authenticity of Johnny's martial arts as Cage mentions seeing Lean fight in London and being impressed by his skills, Lean replies "I saw a couple of your films. Listen, you can't fake those moves." Cage, smirking, mentions that he should tell that to the press. Prior to the tournament, he joins Cage, Liu Kang, and Sonya Blade at a feast gathering. During a demonstration of things to come when the tournament begins, both Lean and Cage express shock and discomfort after witnessing Sub-Zero freeze a minion and causing him to shatter into pieces.

Later in the film, despite Cage, Liu Kang, and Sonya cheering him on in the crowd, he is slain by Goro in battle, and his soul is absorbed by Shang Tsung. Learning from Lean's battle with the Shokan prince, Cage devises a plan and later avenges him when he challenges and kills Goro.

Art's soul is freed and he goes to the afterlife along with all of the souls that Shang Tsung had stolen when Shang Tsung is killed in the final battle of the tournament.

Notes[]

  • Art Lean is portrayed by actor Kenneth Edwards, who is an Chinese martial arts instructor.[1]
  • In Mortal Kombat: A Novel, based on the movie's original script, Art Lean plays a bigger role in the story. His fight against Caesar Cerant at London (mentioned by Cage in the film) is shown, as well his invitation to the tournament. He far outclasses most Earthrealm warriors, making it past the extremely big stairway without resting. When waiting for the tournament to start, he engages in battle with four Earthrealm warriors, who were mocking his kata even though he did not want to fight between them but with them against Outworld. In addition, unlike Raiden's scolding of Shang Tsung earlier, the thunder god does not seem to care that he fought before the tourament started (just like with Johnny, Sonya and Liu earlier). Art Lean also witnesses Cage's fight against Scorpion. At the end of it asks the actor to teach him the Shadow Kick, but is killed by Goro before having the chance to learn it. It is mentioned Art Lean was granted the right to fight Goro because he was the resident of Earthrealm with most victories up to that point. Goro also shows respect for him, congratulating the warrior for the fight before killing him. The film script included a scene, but was never filmed, where Shang Tsung also allows the three remaining heroes to bury Art's body.
  • It is possible that Art Lean could be a reference to the Great Kung Lao as both were defeated by Goro, the Shokan prince and afterwards, their soul was taken by Shang Tsung.

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References[]

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