Dan Forden, the voice behind the iconic “Toasty!” in the Mortal Kombat franchise, is leaving NetherRealm Studios. He announced his departure on social media, expressing pride in the studio’s accomplishments. Forden worked with the studio since 1989.
Forden’s Career at NetherRealm
Dan Forden began his career at Midway and its successor, NetherRealm Studios, in 1989. He is best known for his work on the Mortal Kombat series. The phrase “Toasty!” first appeared in 1993’s Mortal Kombat II during impressive uppercuts. It has since become one of the most recognizable lines in video games.
In his farewell message, Forden stated, “Wednesday was my last day at NetherRealm. We made a lot of fun stuff over the years. I’m really proud of what we accomplished as well as how much fun we had making that stuff.” He emphasized the talent of his colleagues and mentioned a Toasty homage left in the studio.
Current State of NetherRealm Studios
Forden’s exit comes during a challenging time for NetherRealm, which is owned by Warner Bros. In May, the studio confirmed that no new DLC characters or story chapters would be released for Mortal Kombat 1. Development chief Ed Boon reported that Mortal Kombat 1 sold over 6.2 million copies, but it has underperformed compared to previous titles in the series.
NetherRealm has shifted its focus to an upcoming project, although details remain unclear. Speculation suggests a potential continuation of the Injustice series. Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is set to launch at the end of October. The sequel film, Mortal Kombat II, has been delayed to May 15, 2026, as Warner Bros. seeks a better box office performance.
