I think we should put EVERY confirmed character here, not just the ones that come from MK 9. So this is my opinion. Also, I'll take my chances, so I'll use less categories: 0 = confirmed, 1 = definitely in the game, 1.5 = maybe, 2 = no way they're in, NOT = Boon's words: they're NOT in.
0:
Sub-Zero: I'm sure it's going to be a new character, another Lin Kuei, given Ed Boon's interviews.
Scorpion, Kotal Kahn, Cassie Cage, D'Vorah, Ferra/Torr.
1: They'll be there.
Liu Kang: The infamous Liu Kang. As I said in another post, I think a zombie-like, HUGE Liu Kang with great powers, full of hatred because of what Raiden did to him and with the power that such a main character of MK series deserves -although I hate him, I recognize he IS considered an important character- will be the last boss both in story and ladder. Some may consider the boss an unexpected suprise? That's it!
Shinnok and Quan Chi: I agree with you. There must be at least one part in the middle of the story where they face Shinnok -he won't be the Big Boss-. Shinnok and Quan Chi are very likely to be before the last fight in the ladder.
Ermac: if he wasn't in already, I'm sure the good feedback of the fans seeing that concept art changed Boon's mind.
Kung Lao (descendant): The same way as Kung Lao comes from The Great Kung Lao, the well-known Kung Lao must have a descendant. He's by far the best shaolin monk, and PL plays him, and Ed Boon loves PL.
Kitana's daughter: as much as I don't like the idea, I'm pretty sure that Liu Kang and Kitana had a child, and if that happened, I'm pretty sure that the child is a female.
Raiden: he's one of the few ol' "good guys" that can be in the game, no need for Dragon Balls, AND he's one of the most important characters. I still see a very very remote chance that he's not playable, and just appears in the story -like Motaro in MK 9, only with much more participation than that-.
Kano: An aged Kano? Yeah! After all, he's one of the characters from the first MK. What's the use in showing the aged characters if the first characters won't be there, right? It'd be like The Dark Knight Returns without The Joker!
Mileena: One of the classic MK females, and she's probably going to get finally murdered... by Kitana's daughter.
1.5: Maybe.
Nightwolf: mysticism won't be out of MK X, I agree with you -I already said what I think about Liu Kang-, and I think Nightwolf is well suited to come back. He could come back in Werewolf form, you say? Boy, wouldn't that be GREAT!
Cyrax and Sektor: These are the classic cyborgs. If there are cyborgs at all, I think they will be the ones. Probably one of them will be on the good side, maybe something like a friend to the new Sub-zero.
Kenshi: Such a nice character, and he doesn't even play a part in MK 9's story. He HAS to be here.
Smoke: As there are many Sub-zeros, maybe there are many Smokes.
Rain: A very good character, and he doesn't take part in MK 9's story either.
Reptile: He may be there again. He made a good impression in MK 2 and MK 9, he's in MK 4, the fans dig him!
Baraka: The old tarkatan could be there, yes.
Tanya: we already saw her on MK 9, I think she could be here.
Skarlet: Same as Kenshi and Rain.
2: NO WAY.
Goro, Kintaro, Jax, Sindel: no need to bring them back when NRS wants to add new characters.
Shang Tsung: you'll have Shinnok and Quan Chi, how many sorcerers do you want?
Kabal: I'm guessing all of those haters achieved their victory over us.
Noob Saibot: for me, he's a failure as a story character. Scorpion returns like he was, and Sub-zero returns all black and with different powers? GIVE ME A BREAK! He's gone for good. I'd like the character if I didn't know that he's supposed to be Bi-Han.
Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage: I'm sure that they'll be in the story, AND I'm sure they won't be playable. Come on, you have Cassie Cage now!
Jade and Shao Kahn: I agree.
Stryker: He's dead, AND his moves have being inherited by Cassie.
Cyber Sub-Zero: Most definitely not in. There's a new Sub-zero, now.
Sheeva: The most well-known, parodied low-tier character, and another Shokan. The fans already had plenty of that.
NOT:
Freddy Krueger and Kratos.
