The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall, following the 2021 reboot. With the sequel on the horizon, discussions are rife about its potential impact, from budget and box office predictions to casting choices and release date speculations. Let's delve into the online buzz surrounding this much-anticipated film.
For those of you who might have missed it. Here is a first look at the Mortal Kombat 2 movie!
— Ed Boon (@noobde) March 17, 2025
Includes shots of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) Kitana, Shao Kahn and Scorpion! https://t.co/RenOSjHNg0 pic.twitter.com/4uoTdxQfdE
The 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as a new protagonist. However, many fans have expressed a preference for focusing on established 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 commented. 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 casting of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage has sparked a mix of reactions. Some fans are thrilled, with one Redditor noting, "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." However, others question the choice, particularly regarding Urban's 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 casting included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Defenders of Urban's casting pointed out his versatility, with one fan stating, "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 film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that the film "would bring in around $250 million." Another suggested, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." A more optimistic fan projected, "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
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The production of Mortal Kombat 2 faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, halting filming in July 2023 but resuming in November 2023 and wrapping up by January 2024. One fan expressed skepticism about the film's success, stating, "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 it to January or February 2026. However, others believe Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys could boost the film's performance, with one fan noting, "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 the mixed reactions, many fans are genuinely 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 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 the potential of video game movies, stating, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
There's also chatter about a possible 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 suggested. "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."
As the anticipation builds, fans are clearly engaged and eager to see what Mortal Kombat 2 has in store. With months to go before its release, the conversation will undoubtedly continue to evolve. K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
