Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2: Internet's Reaction

The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the release of *Mortal Kombat 2* this fall, following the 2021 reboot. With new character reveals, including Johnny Cage played by Karl Urban, Kitana, Shao Kahn, and Scorpion, the internet is buzzing with predictions and opinions. Let's dive into the fervor surrounding this sequel and see what fans are saying. 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 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, as a new main character. However, many fans feel that this character, designed as a player insert to facilitate exposition, 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 remarked. Another hinted at a shift in focus, "He isn't the main character anymore, Johnny is. I'm not sure if it's Johnny but a lot of leaks have said he isn't the MC anymore." It seems that fans are eager for a return to the franchise's iconic characters.

Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has sparked a lively debate. Some fans question his suitability, citing his age and perceived lack of the character's signature charisma. "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." Suggestions for alternative casting included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue that he has a proven track record of versatile performances. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," one fan countered. "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 added, "Primitive monkey brain triggers ‘Karl Urban in movie, take my money.’"

The sequel's budget and potential box office performance are also under scrutiny. One fan on r/BoxOffice predicted a return of around $250 million, with another suggesting it could reach under $300 million, "But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run." However, concerns about the budget, which reportedly doubled from the first film’s $55 million due to strike delays, have led some to worry about the film's financial prospects. "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," one fan commented, suggesting a shift in the release calendar. Yet, others remain optimistic, citing Urban's role in *The Boys* as a potential boost. "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."

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

Despite the concerns, many fans are genuinely excited for *Mortal Kombat 2*. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." Another fan 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." A third fan pointed out, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors are circulating about potential shifts in the release date, with some suggesting moving it to August, 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 agreed, "MK screams August, IMO."

As the anticipation builds, fans are clearly invested in *Mortal Kombat 2*. Whether it's the casting choices, budget concerns, or the potential box office performance, the discussion around this sequel is intense. We have a few months left until its release, but one thing is certain: the conversation will continue to rage on. K.O.

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