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

Excitement is building as the release of Mortal Kombat 2 draws near this fall. Following the 2021 reboot, fans are eagerly anticipating how this sequel will perform at the box office and in their hearts. With new casting reveals for characters like Johnny Cage, Shao Kahn, and Kitana, along with discussions on the film's budget and potential release date adjustments, the internet is buzzing with predictions and opinions about what to expect from this sequel. Let's delve into the current sentiment and see what's being said. Round 1, fight!

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 character focus in the sequel has sparked significant discussion among fans. The 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, as a new protagonist. However, many fans feel that Cole, as a newcomer to the franchise, detracts from the established lore. "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 fan 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 been both celebrated and critiqued. Some fans are thrilled to see Urban in the role, with one saying, "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." 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 asked, 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." Alternatives like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz were suggested by fans. Defenders of Urban's casting 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. The dude has been really good in a ton of very different roles." Another fan humorously noted, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

The film's budget and its potential box office performance are also hot topics. On a r/BoxOffice thread, a fan predicted, "The film would bring in around $250 million." Another fan responded, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." A more optimistic fan projected, "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

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The budget discussions have been complicated by production delays. One fan noted, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up." Filming for Mortal Kombat 2 was halted in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes but resumed in November 2023 and concluded by January 2024.

Some fans are skeptical about the sequel's success, with one stating, "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." Suggestions for a different release date include, "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." Others believe that Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys could boost the film's prospects. "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 the mixed opinions, many fans are genuinely excited for the sequel. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one Redditor shared. Another fan 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 encouraged a more positive outlook on video game movies, stating, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also a rumor that Mortal Kombat 2 might shift to the August slot currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film 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 commented, "MK screams August, IMO."

No matter their stance, fans are clearly passionate about Mortal Kombat 2. As we await its release, the discussions and debates will only intensify. One thing is certain: the anticipation for this movie is palpable. K.O.

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