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

The excitement for the upcoming *Mortal Kombat 2* movie is palpable among fans as it gears up for a fall release. Following the 2021 reboot, anticipation is high to see how this sequel will fare in theaters. Discussions are rife across the internet, with fans analyzing everything from the film's budget and potential box office performance to casting choices and possible release date shifts. Let's delve into the buzz and see what the online community predicts and hopes for from this eagerly awaited sequel. Round 1, fight!

For those of you who might have missed it, here's 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 debate over the franchise's new main character, Cole Young, introduced in the 2021 reboot and played by Lewis Tan, continues to stir the fanbase. Cole, a character unfamiliar with the Mortal Kombat universe, served as an entry point for new viewers but has not been universally embraced. "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 expressed. Another 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." It appears many fans are eager to see established characters like Johnny Cage, portrayed by Karl Urban, take the spotlight.

Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has sparked mixed reactions, particularly concerning his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" questioned one fan, with another adding, "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 like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz have been floated. However, some fans defend Urban's casting, with one 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.'"

Discussions around the sequel's budget and potential box office performance are also intense. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that the film "would bring in around $250 million." Another suggested, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." A third speculated even higher returns, "Under $300 million. But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run."

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

In response to the budget increase due to strike delays, one user commented, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up." Filming for *Mortal Kombat 2* was paused in July 2023 due to SAG-AFTRA strikes but resumed in November 2023 and wrapped up by January 2024.

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 noted, suggesting a strategic shift in the release schedule. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." Others believe Karl Urban's popularity from *The Boys* could boost the film's appeal. "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.," a user countered.

Excitement remains high among other fans, with one saying, "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this." Another 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 urged, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also chatter about a possible shift in the release date to August, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's *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, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we await the release of *Mortal Kombat 2*, it's clear that fans are deeply engaged and eager to see how this sequel unfolds. Whether it meets the high expectations or falls short, the conversation will continue until the final round. K.O.

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