The highly anticipated sequel to the Mortal Kombat movie has unveiled its first look at several new characters set to grace the big screen. Entertainment Weekly shared exclusive images of Karl Urban stepping into the shoes of Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as the formidable Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph embodying the iconic Kitana. Returning to the fray is Hiroyuki Sanada, reprising his role as Scorpion.
Mortal Kombat enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the transformation of Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in The Boys, into the egocentric Hollywood star Johnny Cage. A recently released image showcases Urban with Cage's signature hairstyle and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. In the backdrop, familiar faces from the first film, such as Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, can be spotted.
First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana and Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 2 film:
— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025
Karl Urban ➡️ Johnny Cage
Martyn Ford ➡️ Shao Kahn
Adeline Rudolph ➡️ Kitana
Hiroyuki Sanada reprises as Scorpion
Via: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ed Boon from NetherRealm Studios provided insight into Johnny Cage's role in the sequel. "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores," Boon explained. He described Cage as a washed-up Hollywood star thrust into a magical and ultra-violent world. Boon praised Karl Urban's interpretation, noting, "He's adding his own flare to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there."
Boon also teased a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Johnny Cage. Director Simon McQuoid added depth to the character, stating, "We wanted a character that wasn't just completely silly, comic book... The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth."
Entertainment Weekly 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.
The film also brings back characters presumed dead from the first movie. Damon Herriman stars as Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively. Ed Boon addressed their surprising comeback, stating, "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that... There are ways to bring dead characters back."
Joining the cast are Tati Gabrielle as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel. Mortal Kombat 2 is slated to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising fans a thrilling continuation of the saga.
