The Internet Reacts to Mortal Kombat 2's Reveal of Karl Urban's Johnny Cage

Excitement is building as fans eagerly await the release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall, following the 2021 reboot. The anticipation for this sequel has sparked numerous discussions online, ranging from the film's budget, potential box office performance, casting choices, and possible release date adjustments. Let's explore the buzz surrounding this much-anticipated follow-up.

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, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as a new protagonist. While Cole served as an effective entry point for newcomers, many fans have expressed a preference for focusing on established 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 remarked. Another hinted at a shift in focus, stating, "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."

The spotlight now seems to be on Johnny Cage, with Karl Urban taking on the role. His casting has stirred mixed reactions. Some fans questioned the choice, particularly citing his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan asked, while another noted, "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 also has his defenders, with one fan arguing, "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 admitted, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

Financial aspects of the sequel are also under scrutiny. A fan on a r/BoxOffice thread predicted that Mortal Kombat 2 could earn around $250 million at the box office. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. Optimism about the film's performance was echoed by another who suggested, "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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The film's budget has been a topic of discussion, especially after delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July 2023. Filming resumed in November 2023 and wrapped up by January 2024. One fan expressed concern about the film's potential performance, stating, "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." Suggestions for a different release strategy included moving it to January or February 2026. However, some fans believe Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys could boost the film's success. "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 argued.

Despite the mixed reactions, there's a palpable excitement 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 added, "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 emphasized the potential of video game movies, stating, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors about a possible shift to an August release date, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, have also surfaced. "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, saying, "MK screams August, IMO."

As the release date approaches, the fervor around Mortal Kombat 2 continues to grow. Whether fans are skeptical or enthusiastic, one thing is clear: the conversation around this sequel is far from over. We'll keep the discussion going until the movie hits the screens. K.O.