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

Get ready for an electrifying cinematic experience this fall with the highly anticipated sequel, *Mortal Kombat 2*. Following the 2021 reboot that rekindled the franchise's flame, fans are buzzing with anticipation and curiosity about how this next installment will perform at the box office and whether it will live up to the legacy of the iconic fighting game series. From dissecting the film's budget and potential earnings to scrutinizing the casting choices and debating the release date, the online community is abuzz with predictions and opinions. Let's delve into the excitement and see what the internet has to say about *Mortal Kombat 2*. 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 franchise's decision to introduce Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as the new main character in the 2021 reboot has sparked considerable debate. Cole, a character designed to serve as a player insert and a vessel for exposition, has left many fans wishing for a return to the franchise's established 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, careful to avoid spoilers, 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."

The sentiment against Cole seems strong, with many fans thrilled at the prospect of a more familiar face taking center stage. "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," a Redditor confidently stated about Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage.

However, Urban's casting has not been without controversy, especially concerning his 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." A third user expressed confusion, "I'll never understand why they thought casting a 50 year old to be Johnny Cage was a good idea."

Alternative casting suggestions have included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, some fans came to Urban's defense, 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 added, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

Discussions about the film's budget and potential box office performance are also rampant. 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 responded. A third fan was more optimistic, suggesting, "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

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In response to concerns about the budget, one user noted, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up." The production of *Mortal Kombat 2* was indeed affected by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, halting filming in July 2023 before resuming in November 2023 and wrapping up by January 2024.

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 remarked, suggesting a potential shift in the release calendar. "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's prospects. "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 countered.

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are simply excited for the film. "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, "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 upcoming film *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."

No matter their stance, fans are clearly passionate about *Mortal Kombat 2*. With months to go before its release, the anticipation and discussions will only intensify. One thing is certain: the conversation around this sequel is far from over. K.O.

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