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

The anticipation is palpable: *Mortal Kombat 2*, the sequel to the 2021 reboot, is slated to hit theaters this fall. Following the mixed reception of the first film, fans are buzzing with curiosity and speculation about how this next installment will perform. From budget considerations to casting choices and potential release date shifts, the internet is abuzz with predictions and opinions. Let's delve into what the online community is saying about the upcoming *Mortal Kombat* sequel. 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 Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as a new main character. While Cole served as a relatable entry point for new viewers, many fans have expressed a preference for established franchise 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 noted. Another fan hinted at a shift in focus, "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 sparked a range of 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 are skeptical about Urban's suitability due to his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another remarked, "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 included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, some fans defended Urban's casting, drawing parallels to successful unexpected choices in the past. "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," one fan argued.

The budget and potential box office performance of *Mortal Kombat 2* are also hot topics. On a r/BoxOffice thread, a fan predicted the film would bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan replied optimistically. Some even suggested higher returns, with one user predicting, "Under $300 million. But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run."

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Production delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023 have impacted the film's budget. "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up," one user commented. Despite these challenges, filming resumed in November 2023 and concluded by January 2024.

While some fans are skeptical about the film's success, citing the lukewarm reception of the first movie and an unusual late October release date, others are optimistic. "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 opined, suggesting a calendar adjustment. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." Conversely, another fan argued that Karl Urban's involvement could boost the film's appeal, citing the popularity of *The Boys*. "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."

Amidst the debate, excitement for *Mortal Kombat 2* remains high. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one Redditor shared. Another fan expressed their enthusiasm, "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, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Speculation also surrounds a potential 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, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we await the release of *Mortal Kombat 2*, the fervor among fans is undeniable. With months still to go, the conversation will undoubtedly continue. K.O.

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