Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana Revealed in Mortal Kombat 2 Film

Fans of the *Mortal Kombat* franchise have been treated to an exciting sneak peek at the upcoming sequel, *Mortal Kombat 2*. Entertainment Weekly has unveiled images showcasing new and returning characters set to ignite the screen. Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in *The Boys*, takes on the role of the flamboyant Johnny Cage. The images reveal Urban sporting Cage's iconic hairstyle and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. Alongside him, we see returning characters Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade in the background.

Joining Urban, Martyn Ford embodies the formidable Shao Kahn, while Adeline Rudolph steps into the role of the regal Kitana. Hiroyuki Sanada is back to reprise his role as the iconic Scorpion, adding depth and continuity to the sequel. These first looks have been shared widely on social media, stirring excitement among the fanbase.

First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana and Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 2 film:

Karl Urban ➡️ Johnny Cage
Martyn Ford ➡️ Shao Kahn
Adeline Rudolph ➡️ Kitana
Hiroyuki Sanada reprises as Scorpion

Via: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6 — Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ed Boon, co-creator of the *Mortal Kombat* video game series, shared insights on Johnny Cage's role in the sequel. "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores," Boon stated. He highlighted that Urban's portrayal adds a fresh twist to the character, describing Cage as a "washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing." Boon teased that fans can expect a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Cage.

Director Simon McQuoid emphasized the balance they aimed for with Cage's character, saying, "We wanted a character that wasn't just completely silly, comic book… It's a character that could instantly go there and become too light and throwaway if we were to lean too much into the kind of cheese. The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth."

Entertainment Weekly also confirmed that movie-accurate skins for Urban's Johnny Cage, Rudolph's Kitana, and Ford's Shao Kahn will be available in the video game *Mortal Kombat 1* later this year, bridging the gap between the film and gaming worlds.

In a surprising twist, Damon Herriman will portray the sinister Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively, despite their characters' demise in the first film. Boon explained the resurrection, noting, "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that. There are ways to bring dead characters back," leveraging the established lore of the *Mortal Kombat* games.

Rounding out the cast, Tati Gabrielle will play Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen will take on the role of Queen Sindel. *Mortal Kombat 2* is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising fans an exhilarating continuation of the saga.