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

The excitement is palpable among fans as the sequel to the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot, aptly titled *Mortal Kombat 2*, gears up for a cinematic release this fall. With the first glimpses of Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, and Kitana unveiled, the internet is abuzz with predictions, opinions, and heated debates about the film's potential success. Let's delve into what fans and analysts are saying about this highly anticipated movie.

Here's a sneak peek at what's to come in *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 new film has sparked discussions about the franchise's direction, particularly regarding the protagonist. Cole Young, introduced as a new character in the 2021 reboot and played by Lewis Tan, has received mixed reactions. Many fans feel that the focus should shift to established characters, with some expressing relief that Cole might take a backseat. "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 change, "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 elicited varied responses. Some fans are thrilled, pointing out that Urban received top billing on the movie poster. However, others question the choice, citing his age as a mismatch for the character. "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." Alternative casting suggestions include Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, Urban's defenders argue, "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."

Financial aspects of the sequel are also under scrutiny. Discussions on platforms like r/BoxOffice predict that *Mortal Kombat 2* could earn around $250 million, with some fans believing it could hit under $300 million, boosted by strong streaming performance. However, concerns about the budget have arisen, especially after the SAG-AFTRA strikes delayed filming in 2023. "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up," one user noted.

The release date has also sparked debate. Some fans worry about the film's potential to "bomb" with a late October release, suggesting a shift to a more favorable slot like January or February 2026. Others believe the star power of Karl Urban from *The Boys* could drive interest. "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 fan countered.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

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Amidst these discussions, there's genuine excitement from fans who enjoyed the first film's action-packed silliness. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." Another fan expressed their anticipation, "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." Some even argue that the film industry should "stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors also swirl about a potential release date swap with Paul Thomas Anderson's *One Battle After Another*, with some suggesting that moving *Mortal Kombat 2* to August would be more strategic. "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 added, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we await the release of *Mortal Kombat 2*, the fervor among fans is undeniable. Whether praising or critiquing, everyone seems eager to see how this sequel will unfold. Until then, the conversations will continue to rage on. K.O.

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