“ Mortal Kombat II ” landed a fatality on last week’s champ, “ The Devil Wears Prada 2 ,” and took the top spot at the Friday box office. However, it looks like a tight race to a flawless victory through the weekend. Warner Bros.’ fighting game sequel earned $17 million on Friday from 3,503 North American theaters. While the studio initially projected a softer $35 million domestically by Sunday, the opening weekend earnings are now expected to get closer to $41 million. “Mortal Kombat II” carries an $80 million price tag, a step up from the 2021 original, which cost $55 million. The first “Mortal Kombat” opened in 2021 to $23 million and only grossed $84 million worldwide at the end of its theatrical run. However, the film was part of the now infamous Project Popcorn, which saw titles launch on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters. If global audiences go for the sequel, it’s very possible that “Mortal Kombat II” outsells its predecessor in a couple of weekends.…