It's true: Mortal Kombat 2, the movie, is set to hit theaters this fall, following the 2021 reboot. Fans are buzzing with anticipation and curiosity about how this sequel will fare. From budget and box office potential to casting choices and release dates, the online community is abuzz with predictions and opinions. Let's delve into what the internet thinks about the upcoming Mortal Kombat sequel. 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 the franchise's new main character. Cole serves as a relatable figure for new audiences, guiding them through the reboot's narrative. However, many fans are expressing a desire to see the spotlight shift to established characters. One fan stated, "I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully, he takes a backseat in this one," while another hinted at a change in focus, 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."
The casting of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage has sparked significant discussion. Some fans are thrilled, pointing out Urban's top billing 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 noted. However, others question Urban's suitability for the role due to his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another remarked, "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, but some fans defended Urban, drawing comparisons to Heath Ledger's iconic portrayal of The Joker. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," a Redditor countered, adding, "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 said, "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 could bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan replied. Another 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." The budget discussion also highlighted the impact of the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which delayed filming from July 2023 until its resumption in November 2023, wrapping up by January 2024.
Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations
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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 remarked, suggesting a 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." Others believe that Karl Urban's involvement, thanks to his 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.," one user countered.
Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are simply excited for Mortal Kombat 2. "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 success of video game movies, stating, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
There's also chatter 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, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."
No matter their stance, fans are passionate about Mortal Kombat 2. With a few months left until its release, the conversation will continue to evolve. One thing is certain: we'll be talking about it until the final K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
