16/05/2026
The latest update comes from the martial arts action star, Ludi Lin, who is gearing up to showcase his skills once again on the big screen.
Ludi Lin returns as Liu Kang in the upcoming film Mortal Kombat II. But did you know there is something drastically different about his appearance this time around? What could it be?
In a recent press conference, the Fuzhou-born actor opened up about the extreme physical transformation he underwent to fulfill the director's specific vision.
Ludi completely overhauled his physique, daily diet, and even his hair to deliver a much more powerful performance compared to the first film.
Ludi revealed that right from the start of pre-production, he and the director agreed that the character of Liu Kang needed to look physically dominant. The target was clear: pack on massive muscle and bring a more intimidating presence to the arena.
The results are nothing short of incredible. Six months later, Ludi successfully gained 30 to 35 pounds (around 13-15 kg) of muscle mass. This achievement is particularly remarkable considering Ludi strictly adheres to a whole-food, plant-based diet.
"I try to stick to clean eating, primarily plant-based. It’s very difficult. I had to eat an absolute mountain of food," Ludi Lin shared.
Curious about the daily menu that helped him achieve such massive results?
"I ate about 9 bananas and 5 to 6 avocados every single day. It was so much food that I ended up spending a lot of time running back and forth to the bathroom," he joked with a laugh.
He added that he underwent this bulking program while in Indonesia. The process was made much smoother thanks to the abundance of high-quality tropical fruits that served as the core of his diet.
Aside from the muscle gains, there is a crucial change in Liu Kang’s aesthetic. While Ludi wore a wig in the first film, this time he is rocking his natural hair. This decision actually stemmed from an embarrassing mishap on set during the previous production.
"In the first movie, I wore a wig, and one time it flew right off. It was so embarrassing!" Ludi recalled.
That incident left a lasting impression on the director, who refused to risk a similar mishap during the intense action sequences this time. For the sake of safety and visual authenticity, Ludi was asked to grow out his real hair during preparation.
Ludi Lin's physical transformation was also fueled by admiration and a healthy sense of rivalry on set. He admitted that he felt pushed to elevate his martial arts standards after seeing the incredible skills of his co-star, Max Huang, who plays Kung Lao.
Ludi didn’t hesitate to praise Max as an extraordinary martial artist. According to him, his main motivation to train so hard was to "level up" so he could match Max’s intensity and speed in front of the camera.
"My training was really an attempt to get on Max's level, because his martial arts are truly incredible," Ludi concluded.
With a combination of real hair, a significantly larger physique, and sharper martial arts techniques, Ludi Lin’s Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat sequel is bound to deliver a much more brutal and authentic performance.
