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

The anticipation is high for the upcoming "Mortal Kombat 2" movie, set to hit theaters this fall. Following the 2021 reboot, fans are eager to see how this sequel will measure up, especially with new casting announcements for characters like Johnny Cage, Shao Kahn, and Kitana. With early looks at these characters released, the internet is buzzing with predictions and opinions about the film's potential success. Let's delve into what fans are saying about this highly anticipated sequel. 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, but many fans are expressing a desire to shift the focus back to established franchise characters. "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, saying, "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."

There's a clear enthusiasm for Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, to take center stage. "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," a Redditor noted. However, Urban's casting has sparked debate, particularly about his age. "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. Despite the criticism, some fans defended Urban, with one saying, "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 remarked, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

The film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that the movie could bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. A third fan suggested even higher returns, stating, "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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In response to a comment about the budget, one user 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 paused in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes but resumed in November 2023 and was completed by January 2024.

Some fans are skeptical about the film's success. "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 remarked, suggesting a potential shift in the release calendar. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." However, others believe Karl Urban's popularity from "The Boys" could boost the film's performance. "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 user countered.

Excitement for the film is also evident among fans. "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, saying, "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 urged, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also talk about a potential release date swap with Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film "One Battle After Another." "That would make more sense," one user suggested. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another fan agreed, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."

Regardless of their opinions, fans are clearly passionate about "Mortal Kombat 2." With several months until its release, the conversation will undoubtedly continue. K.O.

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