"Mortal Kombat 2 Movie Writer Compares Fan Reactions to Avengers: Endgame"

Screenwriter and producer Jeremy Slater has shared his excitement about *Mortal Kombat 2*, calling it “so much funnier and bigger” than its predecessor. Set for release on October 24, 2025, the film features Karl Urban in the iconic role of Johnny Cage, joining a cast of around 20 recognizable fighters from the franchise.

In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Slater discussed the challenge of balancing a large ensemble cast while keeping the story focused and emotionally engaging. “It’s very easy for these things to become three-to-four-hour, sprawling epics, so you always have to be judicious in cutting things down and asking what emotional story we are telling and what the audience cares about,” Slater explained.

He also emphasized the importance of delivering the high-octane action and shocking moments fans expect from the *Mortal Kombat* brand. “Then, making sure when you get to those moments that matter — the fights, the fatalities, the surprises, the deaths — that they land and they are as satisfying as everyone wants them to be,” Slater said. “I think we nailed it. They had the best stunt team in the business working on this thing. The actors are phenomenal. It’s so much funnier and bigger than the first movie.”

Slater also shared his enthusiasm after attending test screenings filled with *Mortal Kombat* fans. He compared their reactions to how he felt watching *Avengers: Endgame*. “I am so excited for people to see the movie,” he said. “It’s been done for a while. We’ve been waiting for the right release date and waiting for the right window. I have been to those test screenings, which are full of Mortal Kombat fans, and watching them react to it the way I reacted to *Avengers: Endgame*. They were cheering and jumping out of their seats. Every joke is landing and they are loving it. It’s one of the greatest moments of my life. That’s why you get into this business.”

Meet the Cast of Mortal Kombat 2

In March, the first official looks at several characters from *Mortal Kombat 2* were revealed, showcasing a star-studded lineup. Martyn Ford portrays the ruthless warlord Shao Kahn, while Adeline Rudolph steps into the role of Kitana. Returning favorites include Hiroyuki Sanada as the vengeful specter Scorpion.

Karl Urban’s portrayal of Johnny Cage has also drawn attention, especially from *Mortal Kombat* fans curious about how the egocentric Hollywood action star would translate to live action. Urban, best known for playing Billy Butcher in *The Boys*, was first teased via an in-universe movie poster. In the sequel, he appears in full Cage glory—sporting the character’s signature hair and sunglasses in a classic martial arts pose. Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade are also seen in the background.

Ed Boon, co-creator of the *Mortal Kombat* series and a key figure at NetherRealm Studios, praised Urban’s performance. “His integration into the *Mortal Kombat* story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores,” Boon said. “He's a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He's adding his own flair to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there.”

Boon teased that Cage’s introduction will be “ridiculously hilarious,” while director Simon McQuoid added that Urban brought a grounded depth to 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.”

The sequel also brings back fan-favorite characters who seemingly perished in the first film. Damon Herriman plays the sorcerer Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively. Ed Boon confirmed that the film will utilize existing *Mortal Kombat* lore to justify their return. “So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that,” he explained. “There are ways to bring dead characters back.”

Tati Gabrielle (known for *The Last of Us Season 2*) plays the deadly Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen (*NCIS: Sydney*) portrays Queen Sindel, rounding out a powerful lineup of characters from the MK universe.

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