Excitement is building for the upcoming release of *Mortal Kombat 2*, the sequel to the 2021 reboot, slated to hit theaters this fall. Fans are eagerly dissecting every detail, from the film's budget and potential box office performance to the casting choices and possible release date shifts. With new glimpses of characters like Johnny Cage, Shao Kahn, and Kitana, the conversation around this sequel is heating up. Let's delve into the online buzz and see what fans are predicting and discussing. 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 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as a new main character. While Cole served as a relatable entry point for new viewers, many fans have voiced a desire to see the spotlight shift back to established franchise 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 expressed. Another hinted at a shift, stating, "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 casting of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage has sparked a range of reactions. Some fans are thrilled, citing Urban's prominent billing on promotional materials, but 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 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 actors included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue that his versatility across various roles could prove them wrong. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," one fan retorted, while another humorously added, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"
The film's budget and potential box office earnings are also hot topics. Estimates range from $250 million to under $300 million, with some fans predicting strong streaming performance. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," one fan commented, while another added, "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 have been influenced by production delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which paused filming in July 2023 before resuming in November and wrapping by January 2024.
Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations
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Not everyone is optimistic about the sequel'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 speculated, suggesting a shift in the release calendar to optimize performance. "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 in *The Boys* could boost the film's appeal. "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 mixed predictions, many fans are simply 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 admitted, "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 chimed in, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
Rumors about shifting the release date to August, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's *One Battle After Another*, have also surfaced. "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."
As we await the release of *Mortal Kombat 2*, the fervor among fans continues to grow. Whether they're hopeful, skeptical, or just plain excited, one thing is clear: the conversation around this sequel isn't slowing down anytime soon. K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
