NetherRealm’s Ed Boon Defends Injustice 3 Rumors Amid Speculation Over Next Fighting Game

NetherRealm Studios development chief Ed Boon has publicly weighed in on the persistent rumors surrounding the studio’s next title, offering a measured response to claims that a sequel to the acclaimed Injustice fighting game is in active development. The comments come as fresh evidence surfaces suggesting the unannounced project could feature Supergirl and Batwoman among its playable roster, reigniting speculation among the community about a potential reveal.

Boon’s intervention began with a pointed reply to a satirical social media post mocking the studio, which claimed NetherRealm was “partnering with Insomniac to deliver the first AAAA fighting game.” Regardless of whether the veteran developer recognized the joke, his response was swift and unambiguous: “100% false. Next rumor please…. ;)” The exchange quickly escalated as another user compiled a batch of circulating rumors for Boon to address, including the assertion that NetherRealm is currently testing Injustice 3, Mortal Kombat 13, and Mortal Kombat 9 in parallel.

Boon’s Clarification on Development Status

Responding to the batch of claims, Boon simply stated “All false,” a terse reply that some observers initially read as casting doubt on the validity of the Injustice 3 rumors themselves. However, a subsequent post from the developer offered a crucial nuance that reframed the entire conversation. Boon acknowledged the audience’s curiosity while drawing a careful distinction between external testing and actual development.

“Appreciate the interest & enthusiasm,” Boon wrote. “But just because a game isn’t currently being tested externally doesn’t necessarily mean the game isn’t in development.”

Ed Boon, NetherRealm Studios

By that logic, Boon’s position effectively concedes that Injustice 3 is not being tested externally at this moment, which leaves open the possibility that the title is very much in development. The clarification leaves fans where they have been for years: waiting for an official announcement, with December’s The Game Awards cited as a plausible venue for a reveal.

Roster Speculation and the DC Universe Connection

The latest rumor, unearthed by content creator MP1st, points to both Supergirl and Batwoman appearing on the game’s roster. Supergirl’s inclusion is hardly surprising, given her starring role in the nine-year-old Injustice 2. Batwoman, however, would represent a notable first appearance for the character in the mainline Injustice series, adding a fresh dynamic to a franchise built on iconic DC heroes.

It is worth noting that Injustice 3 may not carry that exact title, even though it has already surfaced on a number of staff resumes. The project could operate under a different name while functioning as another entry in the Injustice lineage, or it might signal the start of an entirely new DC fighting game series. This possibility ties neatly into the broader DC Universe strategy, with James Gunn reportedly visiting Warner Bros. game studios to review their ongoing work.

In 2025, Gunn and fellow DC Studios co-CEO Walter Chock said the pair have been hands-on with new projects at studios like NetherRealm and Rocksteady as they steer the DC brand in a new direction. Gunn described their collaborative approach to early-stage design, noting they discuss story trajectories and character plans with developers before projects fully take shape.

Looking Ahead

As the community digests Boon’s carefully worded statements, the simplest explanation remains the most likely: NetherRealm’s next game is Injustice 3, and an official announcement is not far off. The developer’s habit of engaging with rumors on social media has long been a source of both amusement and frustration for fans, but this time the response reads less like misdirection and more like a deliberate nudge toward patience.