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

The much-anticipated sequel, *Mortal Kombat 2*, is set to hit theaters this fall, following the 2021 reboot that reignited fans' interest in the franchise. With the release of first looks at characters like Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, and Kitana, the internet is buzzing with predictions and opinions about the film's potential success. Let's delve into what fans are saying about this upcoming cinematic showdown.

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 a new main character. However, many fans have expressed a preference for focusing on 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 commented. Another fan 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."

Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has sparked a mix of reactions. Some fans are thrilled, with one Redditor noting, "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, others question the choice, citing Urban's 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 casting included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Defenders of Urban's casting pointed out his versatility, with one fan 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 film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that the film could bring in around $250 million, with another suggesting, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." A more optimistic fan projected, "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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The production of *Mortal Kombat 2* faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July 2023, resuming in November 2023 and wrapping up by January 2024. One fan expressed skepticism about the film's success, 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 performance, with one user noting, "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."

Despite mixed reactions, many fans are excited 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 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."

There's also speculation about a possible release date swap with Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film *One Battle After Another*, currently slated for August. "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, saying, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we await the release of *Mortal Kombat 2*, the conversation around the film continues to grow. Whether fans are skeptical or excited, one thing is clear: the anticipation for this sequel is palpable. We'll keep discussing and analyzing until the movie finally hits the screens. K.O.

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