Excitement is brewing for the upcoming release of *Mortal Kombat 2*, set to hit theaters this fall following the 2021 reboot. Fans are eagerly dissecting every detail—from the film's budget and box office potential to the casting choices of Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, and Kitana, whose first looks were revealed recently. Let's explore the internet's buzz and predictions surrounding this highly 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 debate over the franchise's new protagonist, Cole Young, introduced in the 2021 reboot, continues to stir discussions. Played by Lewis Tan, Cole serves as a newcomer to the lore, which some fans feel detracts from the 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 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."
With Karl Urban taking on the role of Johnny Cage, fans are divided. Some are thrilled about his top billing and prominent feature in the promotional materials, while others question the choice due to his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another noted, "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. Defenders of Urban's casting argued, "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 financial aspects of *Mortal Kombat 2* are also under scrutiny. Discussions on r/BoxOffice suggest the film could bring in around $250 million, with some fans predicting even higher returns, especially on streaming platforms. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," one fan noted. Another predicted, "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
The budget for *Mortal Kombat 2* is speculated to be higher than the first film's $55 million due to delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July 2023. Filming resumed in November 2023 and concluded by January 2024. Some fans are skeptical about the sequel's success, with one commenting, "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 a more strategic release date included shifting it to January or February 2026. Others believe Karl Urban's popularity from *The Boys* could boost its performance, with one fan stating, "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 opinions, many fans are excited for the film. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one fan shared. Another expressed enthusiasm, saying, "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 defended video game movies, stating, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
Rumors suggest *Mortal Kombat 2* might be moved to an August release date currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's *One Battle After Another*. "That would make more sense," one fan noted. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another agreed, saying, "MK screams August, IMO."
As the anticipation builds, fans remain engaged in lively discussions about *Mortal Kombat 2*. With several months until its release, the conversation is sure to continue. K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
