Fans of the iconic fighting game series have been eagerly awaiting news on the sequel to the 2021 Mortal Kombat film, and now they have their first glimpse at some of the new characters joining the fray. Entertainment Weekly has unveiled images of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, with Hiroyuki Sanada reprising his role as Scorpion.
Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in The Boys, steps into the shoes of the egocentric Hollywood star Johnny Cage. A previously released in-universe poster had already sparked curiosity about how Urban would embody this fan-favorite character. The new image showcases Urban in a fresh-faced look, complete with Cage's signature hair and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. In the background, we see returning cast members Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade.
First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana and Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 2 film:
Karl Urban ➡️ Johnny Cage
Martyn Ford ➡️ Shao Kahn
Adeline Rudolph ➡️ Kitana
Hiroyuki Sanada reprises as ScorpionVia: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK
#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025
Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series, shared his thoughts on Johnny Cage's role in the sequel with Entertainment Weekly. "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores," Boon stated. He highlighted that Urban's portrayal of Cage adds a fresh twist to the character, describing him as a "washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing." Boon teased a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Cage, while director Simon McQuoid emphasized the balance they aimed to strike with the character, ensuring he has depth beyond mere comic relief.
Entertainment Weekly also confirmed that movie-accurate skins for Urban's Johnny Cage, Rudolph's Kitana, and Ford's Shao Kahn will be available in Mortal Kombat 1 later this year, bridging the gap between the film and the game.
In a surprising twist, Damon Herriman will portray Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang return as Kano and Kung Lao, despite their characters' demise in the first film. Boon explained that the lore of the Mortal Kombat games, which often brings characters back through various supernatural means, allows for such returns. "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that," he said. "There are ways to bring dead characters back."
Rounding out the new cast members are Tati Gabrielle as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel. Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising fans an exciting continuation of the saga.
