Excitement is building among fans as the release of Mortal Kombat 2 approaches this fall. Following the 2021 reboot, the sequel is poised to make a significant impact at the box office. Recent reveals, including first looks at characters like Johnny Cage (played by Karl Urban), Kitana, Shao Kahn, and Scorpion, have fueled discussions about the film's potential success. Let's explore the online buzz surrounding Mortal Kombat 2.
A tweet from Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series, showcased the first glimpses of the film, sparking a flurry of reactions:
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
One of the hot topics is the shift in focus from the new character Cole Young, introduced in the 2021 reboot, to established franchise characters. Fans have voiced mixed feelings about Cole, with many hoping for a more central role for Johnny Cage in the sequel. "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 change, 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."
Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has stirred debate, particularly regarding his age. Some fans questioned the decision, with comments like, "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" and "I like Karl Urban but at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore." Alternatives suggested included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue, "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."
Financial aspects of the sequel are also under scrutiny. Discussions on platforms like r/BoxOffice predict earnings around $250 million, with one fan stating, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." Another suggested even higher returns, "Under $300 million. But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run."
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The budget for Mortal Kombat 2 has reportedly doubled from the first film's $55 million, partly due to strike delays. Filming was paused in July 2023 because of the SAG-AFTRA strikes but resumed in November 2023 and wrapped up by January 2024.
Some fans are skeptical about the film's success, with one saying, "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 better release strategy included moving the film to January or February 2026. 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."
Despite mixed opinions, many fans are eager for the sequel. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." 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 the growing acceptance of video game movies, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
There's also speculation about a potential shift in the release date to August, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. "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, "MK screams August, IMO."
As anticipation builds, fans are eager to see how Mortal Kombat 2 will fare. With months to go before its release, discussions and predictions will continue to dominate online forums. One thing is certain: the excitement for Mortal Kombat 2 is palpable.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
