Karl Urban's Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2 Sparks Online Frenzy

The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly anticipate the release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall. Following the 2021 reboot, the sequel has sparked a flurry of discussions and analyses regarding its budget, potential earnings, casting choices, and possible release date adjustments. Let's delve into what the internet has to say about this highly anticipated film.

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 the new protagonist. While Cole served as an effective entry point for new viewers, many fans are vocal about their desire to shift the focus back to 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 expressed. Another hinted at a change in the lead, 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 casting of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage has stirred mixed reactions. Some fans are thrilled, noting his prominent placement on promotional materials. "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 commented. However, others question the choice due to Urban's 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 actors like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz were floated, yet some defended Urban, drawing parallels to Heath Ledger's casting as The Joker. "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," a fan argued. Another humorously stated, "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 earn around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. A more optimistic fan 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." The budget reportedly doubled from the first film's $55 million due to delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which halted filming in July 2023 before resuming in November and wrapping up by January 2024.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

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Despite the enthusiasm, some fans are skeptical about the sequel'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.," a user countered.

Amidst the debates, many fans remain excited for Mortal Kombat 2. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one Redditor shared. Another 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 also circulate about a possible shift to an August release date, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. "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 buzz around Mortal Kombat 2 continues to grow. Whether fans are skeptical or excited, one thing is clear: the conversation will keep going strong until the movie hits the screens. K.O.

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