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

The anticipation for the upcoming "Mortal Kombat 2" movie, set to hit theaters this fall, is palpable among fans. Following the 2021 reboot, enthusiasts are eager to see how this sequel will perform, both in terms of box office success and overall quality. Recent reveals have showcased characters like Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, and Kitana, sparking widespread discussion across social media platforms. From budget considerations to potential release date adjustments, let's explore what the internet is saying about the "Mortal Kombat" sequel. Ready? 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 debate over the new protagonist introduced in the 2021 reboot, Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, remains heated. Designed as a relatable character who learns about his destiny alongside the audience, Cole has stirred mixed reactions. Many fans express a desire for the spotlight to shift to established franchise characters. One fan remarked, "I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully, he takes a backseat in this one," while another hinted at a shift in focus, saying, "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."

There's a clear consensus among fans that they'd rather see someone else, like Johnny Cage, take center stage. Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has drawn both praise and criticism. Some fans question the choice due to Urban's age, with comments like, "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" and "at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore." Alternatives suggested include Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue, "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," and humorously, "Primitive monkey brain triggers ‘Karl Urban in movie, take my money.’"

The film's budget and potential box office performance are also under scrutiny. A fan on r/BoxOffice estimated the film would bring in around $250 million, suggesting, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." Another predicted, "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." The impact of the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which delayed filming from July 2023 to November 2023, with completion in January 2024, has also been mentioned as a factor potentially inflating the budget.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

Some fans express skepticism about the sequel'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." Suggestions for release date adjustments include moving it to January or February 2026, or even to August, which one user noted, "That would make more sense." Another fan believes Karl Urban's popularity from "The Boys" could boost the film's performance, saying, "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."

Despite the mixed reactions, excitement for "Mortal Kombat 2" is undeniable. Fans reminisce about the fun of the original, with one saying, "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," and another expressing enthusiasm, "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." There's also a call to appreciate the evolving landscape of video game adaptations, as one fan urged, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors also swirl about a potential shift to an August release, currently occupied by Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film, "One Battle After Another." One user suggested, "MK screams August, IMO," indicating that such a move could be beneficial for both films.

As we await the release of "Mortal Kombat 2," the fervor among fans continues to grow. Whether they're debating casting choices, predicting box office numbers, or simply expressing excitement, it's clear that the sequel has everyone talking. We'll keep the conversation going until we see what's in store. K.O.

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