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

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 spotlight seems to be shifting to Johnny Cage, with Karl Urban taking on the role. "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 noted. However, Urban's casting has stirred some controversy, particularly regarding his 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 casting included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, some fans defended Urban, with one saying, "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." Another fan humorously remarked, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

The film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that the movie would bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. A third fan speculated even higher returns, stating, "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

10 ImagesIn response to another Redditor who noted it would take double the first film’s budget ($55 million) to make this one, one user said, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up." Filming for Mortal Kombat 2 was halted in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, but resumed a few months later in November 2023 and was finished by January 2024.

Some fans are skeptical about the film'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 commented, suggesting a potential shift in the release calendar. "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 could boost its 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.," one user countered.

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are genuinely excited. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." Another fan 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."

There's also chatter about a potential release date swap with Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film One Battle After Another, currently slated for August. "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."

No matter their opinions, fans are buzzing about Mortal Kombat 2. With months to go before its release, the anticipation and discussions will only intensify. K.O.

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