The buzz surrounding the upcoming *Mortal Kombat 2* movie, slated for release this fall, is palpable among fans eager to see how it follows up on the 2021 reboot. With new casting announcements featuring Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, alongside Kitana and Shao Kahn, the film has already sparked numerous discussions and analyses regarding its budget, potential box office performance, and character focus.
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
One hot topic is the shift in the main character spotlight from Cole Young, introduced in the reboot, to more established franchise characters. Many fans have expressed dissatisfaction with Cole's role in the first film, hoping for a lesser focus on him in the sequel. "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 added, "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 consensus seems to be that Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, will take center stage, as evidenced by his prominent placement in promotional materials.
Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has stirred mixed reactions. While some fans are excited about his involvement, others question his suitability for the role due to his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan remarked. Another added, "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. However, some defended Urban, with one fan stating, "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."
The film's budget and potential box office earnings are also under scrutiny. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that *Mortal Kombat 2* would bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. A more optimistic fan estimated earnings "under $300 million," adding, "But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run." Discussions about the budget noted that the film's costs escalated due to production delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.
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Not everyone is optimistic about the film's prospects. "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 shift to maximize potential. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." However, others believe Karl Urban's involvement could boost the film, citing his popularity from *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.," one user argued.
Excitement is also evident among fans who enjoyed the first film. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "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 emphasized, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
There are also rumors that the movie might be moved to the August date currently reserved for Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film *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, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."
Regardless of their opinions, fans are undoubtedly enthusiastic about *Mortal Kombat 2*. As we await its release, discussions and predictions will continue to fuel excitement. What are your thoughts on the upcoming sequel? Share them in the comments below!
