Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana Unveiled in Mortal Kombat 2 Film

Fans of the Mortal Kombat franchise were treated to an exciting sneak peek of the upcoming sequel, Mortal Kombat 2, with Entertainment Weekly unveiling first looks at several new characters. The images showcase Karl Urban as the charismatic Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as the formidable Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as the elegant Kitana. Returning to the fray is Hiroyuki Sanada, reprising his role as the iconic Scorpion.

The anticipation around Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage, a role familiar to fans as the egocentric Hollywood star from the games, was palpable after his image appeared in an in-universe poster for a Cage movie. The fresh-faced Urban dons Cage’s signature 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 seen, adding to the excitement.

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

Via: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK

#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6

— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025

Ed Boon, the co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series from NetherRealm Studios, shared insights with Entertainment Weekly on 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 emphasized that Cage, portrayed as a washed-up Hollywood figure, brings a unique blend of humor and depth to the ultra-violent world of Mortal Kombat. Boon praised Urban's interpretation, noting it adds a fresh twist while maintaining the character's essence. "There's like a novelty factor in there," Boon teased, hinting at a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Cage.

Director Simon McQuoid elaborated on the approach to Johnny Cage's character, aiming to strike a balance that avoids being overly comical or superficial. "The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth," McQuoid explained, ensuring Cage remains a compelling figure in the narrative.

Entertainment Weekly also confirmed that movie-accurate skins for Urban's Johnny Cage, Rudolph's Kitana, and Ford's Shao Kahn will be available in the video game Mortal Kombat 1 later this year, bridging the gap between the film and gaming experiences.

Adding to the roster, Damon Herriman takes on the role of Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang surprisingly return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively, despite their demise in the first film. Boon addressed this by pointing to the series' flexible lore, which often sees characters resurrected or reintroduced through supernatural means. "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that," he said. "There are ways to bring dead characters back."

Rounding out the new cast members are Tati Gabrielle as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel. Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising fans an action-packed continuation of the iconic franchise.