Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2: Internet's Reaction

The much-anticipated sequel to the 2021 reboot, Mortal Kombat 2, is slated to hit theaters this fall. Following the success of its predecessor, fans are buzzing with excitement and speculation about what this new film will bring to the franchise. From its budget and potential box office returns to casting choices and release dates, the internet is rife with discussions and predictions. Let's delve into the current buzz surrounding Mortal Kombat 2. 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, played by Lewis Tan, as the franchise's new protagonist. Cole serves as an audience surrogate, learning about the world of Mortal Kombat alongside viewers. However, many fans have expressed a preference for the sequel to focus on established characters. One fan noted, "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 suggested, "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 seems to be shifting to Johnny Cage, with Karl Urban taking on the role. Some fans are thrilled about this change, as evidenced by a Redditor's comment: "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." However, Urban's casting has sparked debate, particularly regarding his age. Critics argue, "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" and "I like Karl Urban but at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore." Others proposed alternative actors like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz. Despite the criticism, some fans defend Urban, saying, "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 remarked, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

The financial aspect of Mortal Kombat 2 is also a hot topic among fans. On a r/BoxOffice thread, one user predicted the film could bring in around $250 million, with another responding, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." A third fan was more optimistic, suggesting, "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 film's budget increased due to delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which halted production in July 2023 before resuming in November and wrapping up in January 2024.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

Despite the optimism, some fans are skeptical about the sequel's success. One user commented, "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." They suggested moving the release to January or February 2026 to avoid clashing with other films. However, others believe Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys could boost the movie'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 fan argued.

Excitement for the film remains high among some fans. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor wrote. "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 encouraged the community, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also speculation about a potential shift in the release date to August, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film One Battle After Another. "That would make more sense," one user suggested. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another fan agreed, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."

The anticipation for Mortal Kombat 2 is palpable, with fans eagerly discussing every detail. As we await the film's release, the conversation will undoubtedly continue to heat up. K.O.

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