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

Excitement is building for the upcoming release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall, following the successful 2021 reboot. Fans are eagerly discussing every aspect of the sequel, from its budget and box office potential to the casting choices for iconic characters like Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, and Kitana. As the first glimpses of the movie emerge, the internet is buzzing with predictions and opinions about what to expect. Let’s dive into the details and see what fans are saying. 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 a new main character, Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan. Cole serves as a player insert, learning about the Mortal Kombat universe alongside the audience. However, many fans express a preference for the spotlight to shift to established characters. One fan commented, “I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully he takes a backseat in this one,” while another hinted at a change 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 casting of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage has stirred both excitement and debate. Urban's top billing on promotional materials suggests a central role, but some fans question the fit. “Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?” one fan questioned, 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.” Alternative suggestions for Johnny Cage included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue, “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 added, “Primitive monkey brain triggers ‘Karl Urban in movie, take my money.’”

Financial aspects are also a hot topic among fans. Discussions on platforms like r/BoxOffice speculate on the movie's budget and potential earnings. One fan predicted, “The film would bring in around $250 million. If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad,” while another 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 increased due to strike-related delays, with filming resuming in November 2023 and wrapping up by January 2024.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

Despite the optimism, 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 shift in release strategy. “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 that 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.

Amidst the debates, many fans remain enthusiastic about the sequel. “First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up,” one Redditor shared. “Looking forward to this.” Another fan expressed, “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 encouraged a more positive outlook on video game movies, stating, “This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies.”

There's also talk of a potential release date swap, with some suggesting Mortal Kombat 2 might take the August slot reserved for 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 anticipation for Mortal Kombat 2 continues to grow, it's clear that fans are deeply invested in every aspect of the film. Whether it's the casting, the budget, or the release date, the discussions are lively and passionate. We have a few months to wait and see what the movie has in store, but one thing is certain: the conversation won't stop until then. K.O.

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