Mortal Kombat 2 Casts Karl Urban as Johnny Cage

The Mortal Kombat 2 movie is officially hitting theaters this fall. Following the 2021 reboot, fans are eager to see how this sequel will deliver—and whether it can live up to expectations. Discussions are already swirling about casting choices (including first looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, and Kitana), potential release shifts, budget comparisons, and box office projections. So, what’s the consensus online? Let’s break down the buzz. Round 1, fight!

Missed the teaser? Here’s your first glimpse of Mortal Kombat 2! Featuring Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), Kitana, Shao Kahn, and Scorpion in action. https://t.co/RenOSjHNg0 pic.twitter.com/4uoTdxQfdE

— Ed Boon (@noobde) March 17, 2025

The franchise’s new protagonist, Cole Young (Lewis Tan), introduced in the reboot, has sparked debate. As an audience surrogate, Cole’s unfamiliarity with the Mortal Kombat lore made him ideal for exposition—but many fans prefer established characters taking the spotlight.

“The reboot was solid, but the unnecessary new character dragged it down. Hopefully, he’s sidelined this time,” one fan commented. Another hinted at leaks: “Cole’s no longer the lead—Johnny Cage is. Could be Johnny or someone else, but leaks suggest a shift.”

Some fans are relieved Cole won’t dominate the sequel. “Johnny’s definitely front and center now. Urban’s top billing on the poster and early promo shots confirms it,” a Redditor noted regarding Karl Urban’s casting.

Yet, Urban’s age has raised eyebrows. “What genius thought a 49-year-old was the right fit for Johnny Cage?” one critic asked. Another added, “Love Urban, but he lacks Cage’s youthful energy.” A third joked, “Casting a 50-year-old as Johnny Cage? Bold move.”

Alternate fan picks included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. But defenders countered: “No one expected Ledger’s Joker either,” one Redditor argued. “Urban’s range proves he can nail this.” Another fan laughed: “Karl Urban equals instant tickets.”

Budget talks also heated up, with predictions ranging from $250 million to under $300 million. “If costs stay controlled, that’s respectable,” a fan reasoned. Another highlighted streaming potential: “It’ll crush digitally. A short theatrical run is enough.”

Mortal Kombat’s Chaotic Legacy in Film and TV

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On doubling the first film’s $55 million budget, one user noted, “Strike delays spiked costs.” Production paused during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes before wrapping in early 2024.

Skeptics foresee a flop: “This might struggle. The reboot was divisive, and October’s a weird slot,” one said, suggesting a delay until 2026. Optimists countered: “Underestimating The Boys’ global pull could be a mistake—55 million viewers don’t lie.”

Pure excitement also fuels the fandom. “Reboot was dumb fun—exactly like the cheesy action flicks I loved as a kid,” shared a Redditor. Another admitted, “Count me hyped. Mortal Kombat’s never been Shakespeare.” A third urged, “Stop writing off video game movies.”

Rumors of an August release swap also surfaced. “Makes more sense,” a fan agreed. “PTA’s film gets awards buzz; MK owns summer.” Another quipped, “MK’s totally an August movie.”

Love it or doubt it, Mortal Kombat 2 has everyone talking. With months until release, one thing’s certain: the debates won’t stop. K.O.

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