The Internet Reacts to Mortal Kombat 2's Reveal of Karl Urban's Johnny Cage

The much-anticipated sequel, Mortal Kombat 2, is set to hit theaters this fall following the 2021 reboot. Fans are buzzing with excitement and speculation about this upcoming film, analyzing everything from its budget and potential box office returns to the casting choices and release date possibilities. Let's dive into what the internet is saying about 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, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as the new protagonist. Many fans, however, have expressed a preference for focusing on established characters from the franchise. "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 commented. 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."

Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has stirred a mix of reactions. While some fans are thrilled with Urban's prominent role, others question his suitability for the character due to age concerns. "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 Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue that his versatility in previous roles suggests he could excel as Johnny Cage. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," one fan countered.

Discussions around the film's budget and box office potential are also rife. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that Mortal Kombat 2 would bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another responded. Another fan speculated higher returns, stating, "Under $300 million. But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run."

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

The production of Mortal Kombat 2 faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which halted filming in July 2023. It resumed in November 2023 and was completed by January 2024. Some fans are skeptical about the film's success, with one saying, "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." Another suggested a release date swap, "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." However, others 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.," one fan argued.

Despite mixed reactions, many fans remain enthusiastic. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." 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." A third fan remarked, "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 noted. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another fan agreed, saying, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we await the release of Mortal Kombat 2, fans are clearly passionate and engaged, discussing every aspect of the film. Whether it will meet expectations remains to be seen, but the conversation around it is certainly lively. What are your thoughts on Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!