Karl Urban's Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2 Sparks Internet Frenzy

Excitement is building as fans eagerly await the release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall, following the 2021 reboot. The sequel has already sparked discussions about its budget, potential box office performance, casting choices, and release date. Let's delve into the online buzz and see what fans are predicting and hoping for.

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 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, as a new main character. While Cole served as a relatable entry point for new viewers, many fans are vocal about wanting to see more focus on established characters. "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 casting of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage has stirred mixed reactions. Some fans are thrilled, noting his prominent placement on promotional materials. "Johnny is the main character this time 100%. Urban got top billing on the poster they released and he’s prominently featured in the first promo images," a Redditor commented. However, others question the choice due to Urban's age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another added, "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 actors like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz have been floated, but some fans defend Urban, citing his versatility in past roles. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," a Redditor argued. "While I’m not suggesting this movie or performance will be anywhere on that level, I think it's unfair to suggest Urban can't pull it off. The dude has been really good in a ton of very different roles."

The film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. One fan on a r/BoxOffice thread predicted the film could bring in around $250 million, with another suggesting it could reach under $300 million and perform well on streaming platforms. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," a fan noted. However, the film's budget reportedly increased due to strike delays, which halted production in July 2023 before resuming in November and wrapping up by January 2024.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

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Not everyone is optimistic about the sequel'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," a fan remarked, suggesting a potential shift in the release calendar. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." However, some believe Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys could boost the film's performance. "I think you’re underestimating how big The Boys is, it has 55 million international viewers. I think the movie will do solid even outside the U.S.," a user countered.

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are excited for Mortal Kombat 2. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." Another fan expressed enthusiasm, saying, "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." A third fan urged the community to reconsider their views on video game movies, stating, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also speculation about a potential release date swap with Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film One Battle After Another, currently slated for August. "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 the anticipation for Mortal Kombat 2 continues to grow, fans are clearly passionate about the film, whether they're hopeful or skeptical. With months to go before its release, the conversation will undoubtedly keep the excitement alive. K.O.

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