The highly anticipated sequel, *Mortal Kombat 2*, has unveiled a tantalizing first look at several new characters slated to join the cinematic universe. Entertainment Weekly shared captivating images featuring Karl Urban as the charismatic Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as the menacing Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as the elegant Kitana, alongside the return of Hiroyuki Sanada reprising his role as Scorpion.
Mortal Kombat enthusiasts have been buzzing with excitement, especially about how Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in *The Boys*, would embody the fan-favorite egocentric Hollywood star, Johnny Cage. A newly released image showcases Urban in a fresh-faced portrayal, sporting Cage’s iconic hairstyle and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. In the background, familiar faces such as Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade can be spotted.
First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana and Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 2 film:
Karl Urban ➡️ Johnny Cage
Martyn Ford ➡️ Shao Kahn
Adeline Rudolph ➡️ Kitana
Hiroyuki Sanada reprises as Scorpion
#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6
— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025
Entertainment Weekly also featured a quote from Ed Boon, the co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series, discussing Johnny Cage's role in the sequel. "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores," Boon stated. He described Cage as a "washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing," and praised Urban's unique take on the character, adding, "Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He's adding his own flare to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there."
Boon teased a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Johnny Cage, while director Simon McQuoid emphasized the balance they aimed to strike with the character. "We wanted a character that wasn't just completely silly, comic book… It's a character that could instantly go there and become too light and throwaway if we were to lean too much into the kind of cheese. The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth."
In exciting news for gamers, Entertainment Weekly confirmed that movie-accurate skins for Urban's Johnny Cage, Rudolph's Kitana, and Ford's Shao Kahn will be available in *Mortal Kombat 1* later this year.
Adding to the roster, Damon Herriman, known for *Better Man*, will portray Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang make a surprising return as Kano and Kung Lao, despite their demise in the first film. Boon explained the creative liberty they take with the franchise's lore, stating, "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that. There are ways to bring dead characters back."
Rounding out the cast, Tati Gabrielle from *The Last of Us Season 2* will play Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen from *NCIS: Sydney* will portray Queen Sindel. *Mortal Kombat 2* is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising fans an exhilarating continuation of the iconic franchise.
