Joel McHale stars as quit-witted action star Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match. The fourth animated film in the franchise sees Johnny Cage in 1980s Hollywood on a mission to become a famous actor. However, his world soon changes when his costar disappears, and he embarks on a journey of danger and deceit. McHale, known for his comedy chops on The Soup,  Community, and more recently, Animal Control, recently sat for a chin wag with Retro Cool Nerd.

McHale first explained where we find Johnny Cage in this story. "It's his origin story, the back story. I love how it's set in the eighties and the way the colors of the thing reflect that. I got to be in the other two (Mortal Kombat Legends movies) and got to make a thousand jokes and annoy the producers because I wouldn't stop talking. I'm kidding. They were very accommodating." He continued, "It shows you how pompous he is. He does have some heart to him or a heart of gold. So when push comes to shove he will do the right thing. But most of the time he's looking out for himself, or he's thinking about himself, his career, and what he looks like in the mirror."

The actor appreciates that he was allowed to improvise and curse and believes the violence is hilarious and over the top, comparing Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match to something like a Sam Raimi film that can ride comedy and horror. "This rides comedy and violence."

When asked, the actor was able to compare  Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match to another movie that might be similar in both tone and style. "I guess Army of Darkness. It's technically a horror film, but lots of jokes. That's what it's like. I'm really appreciative of the producers allowing the comedy to really come out during the story. Yeah, I would say Army of Darkness or any Evil Dead- ish, but not as much horror. It is sort of Big Trouble in Little China."

Although they didn't meet during the production of Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match, McHale reflected on his costar, the late Gilbert Gottfried, saying, "I would have loved that. Especially now, with him so sadly passing. It was so kind of shocking the same way that Bob Saget and Norman Macdonald passed. We lost comedy. We lost a lot of comedy in the last few years. I can say on my deathbed that I was in the same movie as Gilbert Gottfried... Talk about a unique comedic voice. It's not something you could ever teach. He was born funny, so funny. I'm sad I didn't get to meet him."

Full interview here:

 The voice cast also includes Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing, Red Oaks) as Herself, the late Gilbert Gottfried (Aladdin, Royal Crackers) as David Doubldy, Dusan Brown (Ma RRainey'sBlack Bottom) as Chuck Golden, Grey DeLisle (Teen Titans Go!) as Kia, Robin Atkin Downes (Luck, DC Showcase: Constantine – The House of Mystery) as Shinnok, Zehra Fazal (Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe) as Jataaka, Kelly Hu (Arrow, X2: X-Men United) as Ashrah, Matt Yang King (Elemental) as Concierge, Phil LaMarr (Futurama) as Brian Van Jones, Matthew Mercer (Resident Evil: Death Island) as Director/Bully, Dave B. Mitchell (Call of Duty franchise) as Raiden and Armen Taylor (Justice Society: World War II) as Master Boyd.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match, the all-new, original feature-length film inspired by the best-selling worldwide video game, is currently available to purchase on Digital and Blu-Ray.