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

Excitement is building for the upcoming release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall, following the 2021 reboot that reignited fans' passion for the franchise. With new glimpses of characters like Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, and Kitana surfacing, the buzz around the sequel is palpable. Fans are eager to see how this film will perform at the box office and whether it will meet their high expectations. Let's explore the online chatter and predictions surrounding Mortal Kombat 2.

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 the main character, a move that has sparked debate among fans. Many feel that Cole, a newcomer to the lore, was an unnecessary addition and hope to see more focus on established characters in the sequel. One fan expressed, "I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully, he takes a backseat in this one," while another hinted at a shift in focus, "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."

Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has stirred mixed reactions. Some fans question his suitability for the role due to his age, with comments like, "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" and "I like Karl Urban but at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore." However, others defend Urban, drawing parallels to unexpected casting successes in the past, "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker. 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 film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. One fan predicted a $250 million haul, stating, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn't be too bad." Another speculated on higher returns, "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 impact of the SAG-AFTRA strikes on the film's budget has also been noted, with one user mentioning, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up."

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Skepticism about the film's success also exists, with one fan suggesting, "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." However, others are more optimistic, citing Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys, "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."

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are excited for the sequel. One shared, "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," while another expressed enthusiasm, "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." Another fan emphasized the growing success of video game movies, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also talk about potential release date changes, with some suggesting a shift to August, currently occupied by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. One fan noted, "That would make more sense. The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer," and another added, "MK screams August, IMO."

As anticipation for Mortal Kombat 2 continues to grow, it's clear that fans are deeply engaged and eager to see how the film unfolds. Whether it will meet the high expectations set by its predecessor remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the conversation around this sequel will continue to be lively until its release.

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