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

Excitement is building for the upcoming release of the "Mortal Kombat 2" movie this fall, following the 2021 reboot. Fans are eager to see how the sequel will perform at the box office and whether it will live up to their expectations. The buzz around the film includes discussions on its budget, potential earnings, casting choices, and even possible shifts in release dates. Let's delve into the online community's predictions and opinions about this much-anticipated sequel. 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 fanbase has been vocal about the franchise's new protagonist introduced in the 2021 reboot, Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan. Cole serves as a relatable entry point for viewers new to the series, but many fans are hoping for a shift in focus to a more established character. "I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully, he takes a backseat in this one," expressed one fan. Another hinted at a change, "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." With Karl Urban taking on the role of Johnny Cage and receiving top billing on promotional materials, it seems fans might get their wish.

However, Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has sparked some controversy, particularly concerning his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" questioned one fan, 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 actors included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, some fans defended Urban's casting, drawing parallels to unexpected casting successes like Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," a fan countered, adding, "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 financial aspect of "Mortal Kombat 2" is also a hot topic among fans. On a r/BoxOffice thread, one fan predicted the film could bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan replied optimistically. A third fan went further, suggesting the film could earn under $300 million, with significant potential on streaming platforms. "But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run," they added.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

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The production of "Mortal Kombat 2" faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July 2023, but resumed in November 2023 and wrapped up by January 2024. Some fans are skeptical about the film's success, with one 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." They suggested a strategic shift in the release calendar, proposing, "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 popularity from "The Boys" could boost the film'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.

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are genuinely excited for "Mortal Kombat 2." "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 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 noted. "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."

Regardless of their opinions, fans are clearly passionate about "Mortal Kombat 2." As we await its 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!