Get ready, fans of the brutal universe of Mortal Kombat—the sequel to the 2021 reboot is coming, and it's bringing a fresh face to the fray. The legendary co-creator of the franchise, Ed Boon, has unveiled an exciting first look at Karl Urban, known for his roles in *The Boys* and *Judge Dredd*, stepping into the iconic shoes of Johnny Cage. The reveal comes in the form of a striking poster that mimics a fictional Johnny Cage film, complete with motorcycles leaping from a backdrop of fiery flames, setting the stage for what's sure to be an action-packed follow-up.
*Mortal Kombat 2* continues directly from where the reboot left off, with Lewis Tan reprising his role as Cole Young, alongside Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion and Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero. Joining the fray are new cast members including Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, Tati Gabrielle as Jade, and Damon Herriman as Quan Chi, promising to bring even more depth to the already rich tapestry of characters.
The original film introduced audiences to Cole Young's journey into the world of Mortal Kombat and the intense historical rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero. While plot details for the sequel remain under wraps, the vast lore of the Mortal Kombat video game series offers a wealth of potential narratives to explore on the big screen.
Originally planned for a theatrical release, the first *Mortal Kombat* movie pivoted to a direct-to-streaming debut on HBO Max due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, fans can look forward to seeing *Mortal Kombat 2* in theaters, with a release date set for October 24, 2025.
In our review of the first film, we awarded it a solid 7 out of 10, praising it as a "spectacular display of blood, guts, and effects-heavy martial arts battles," setting a high bar for the sequel to surpass.