Karl Urban's Johnny Cage Reveal in Mortal Kombat 2 Sparks Online Buzz

Get ready, fans: the sequel to the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot, titled *Mortal Kombat 2*, is set to hit theaters this fall. The anticipation for this film is palpable, as enthusiasts are eager to see how it will fare at the box office and if it can live up to the legacy of the franchise. With new casting announcements, including Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, along with early glimpses of the movie, the internet is buzzing with predictions and opinions about what's in store.

For those of you who might have missed it. Here is a first look at the Mortal Kombat 2 movie!

Includes shots of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) Kitana, Shao Kahn and Scorpion! https://t.co/RenOSjHNg0 pic.twitter.com/4uoTdxQfdE

— Ed Boon (@noobde) March 17, 2025

The debate around the new protagonist from the 2021 reboot, Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, continues to stir conversation. Introduced as a character new to the franchise, Cole serves as an audience surrogate but has not been universally embraced. "I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully, he takes a backseat in this one," one fan expressed. Another hinted at a shift in focus, stating, "He isn't the main character anymore, Johnny is. [OK] I'm not sure if it's Johnny but a lot of leaks have said he isn't the MC anymore." The excitement for Johnny Cage, particularly with Karl Urban's casting, seems to be a welcome change for many.

However, Urban's age and suitability for the role of Johnny Cage have sparked some controversy. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another noted, "I like Karl Urban but at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore." Suggestions for alternative casting included names like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, supporters of Urban argued, "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker... I think it's unfair to suggest Urban can't pull it off."

The film's budget and potential box office performance are also under scrutiny. Discussions on r/BoxOffice suggest that *Mortal Kombat 2* could gross around $250 million, with one fan commenting, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." Another predicted, "Under $300 million... But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run." The budget was reportedly inflated due to delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which halted filming in July 2023 before resuming in November and wrapping in January 2024.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

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Despite the optimism, some fans are skeptical about the film's success. "Feel like this might bomb honestly. First one wasn’t even well received and I doubt people will be rushing out to see this sequel. Also weird late October release date," one remarked. Suggestions for adjusting the release calendar included moving *Mortal Kombat 2* to January or February 2026 and advancing another film, *Weapons*, to October. However, some believe that Karl Urban's involvement, buoyed by his popularity from *The Boys*, could drive international viewership.

Excitement for the film remains high among other fans. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one fan shared. Another added, "F—k me but I’m excited for it. I liked the first one. It was corny but it’s Mortal Kombat which isn’t high art." Yet another pointed out, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors are circulating that *Mortal Kombat 2* might shift to an August release date, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's *One Battle After Another*. "That would make more sense," one user suggested. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another fan agreed, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we await the release of *Mortal Kombat 2*, the fervor and discourse among fans illustrate the deep engagement and anticipation surrounding this sequel. No matter their stance, it's clear that the Mortal Kombat community is eagerly counting down the days. The final verdict on the film's success, however, will only be known once it hits the screens. Until then, the conversation continues to rage on.

What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!