The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall, following the 2021 reboot. The sequel has sparked a flurry of discussions and analyses across the internet, from budget considerations and box office predictions to casting choices and potential release date shifts. Let's delve into the online buzz surrounding this highly anticipated film. 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 an effective entry point for new viewers, many fans are vocal about their preference for 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 in focus, 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 stirred mixed reactions. Some fans are thrilled, noting his prominent placement on promotional materials. "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 commented. However, others question the choice due to Urban's age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another added, "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 like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz surfaced, yet some fans defended Urban, drawing parallels to Heath Ledger's casting as The Joker. "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," a fan argued. Another humorously stated, "Primitive monkey brain triggers ‘Karl Urban in movie, take my money.’"
The film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. A fan on r/BoxOffice predicted the film could bring in around $250 million, with another suggesting, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." A more optimistic fan projected, "Under $300 million. But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run." The budget reportedly doubled from the first film's $55 million due to delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which halted filming in July 2023 before resuming in November and wrapping up by January 2024.
Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations
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Despite the enthusiasm, some fans are skeptical 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 remarked, suggesting a potential shift to January or February 2026. However, others believe Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys could boost the film's performance. "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.," a user countered.
Excitement for the film remains high among many fans. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one Redditor shared. Another 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, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
Rumors of a potential release date swap 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, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."
As the anticipation builds, fans are clearly engaged and eager to see what Mortal Kombat 2 has in store. With months to go before its release, the conversation will undoubtedly continue to evolve. K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
