Mortal Kombat fans finally have their first official look at the upcoming sequel, and it’s packed with big reveals. Entertainment Weekly dropped the first images from Mortal Kombat 2, featuring Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana. Also making a return is Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, alongside several other familiar faces.
One of the biggest talking points? How Karl Urban (The Boys) is bringing the fan-favorite Hollywood action star Johnny Cage to life.
Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage: A Fresh Take on a Classic Character
Ever since Karl Urban was cast as Johnny Cage, fans have been curious—and maybe a little skeptical—about how he’d pull off the cocky, sunglasses-wearing martial artist. Now, we finally have our answer. The first image shows Urban rocking Cage’s trademark shades and a confident fighting stance, with Ludi Lin’s Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks’ Jax, and Jessica McNamee’s Sonya Blade in the background.
Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon teased that Cage’s introduction will be “ridiculously hilarious” but also different from what fans might expect.
“His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores,” Boon said. “He’s a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He’s adding his own flair to it, but I think it’ll feel fresh.”
Director Simon McQuoid added that they didn’t want Cage to be too over-the-top, saying, “The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth.”
How Are Kano and Kung Lao Back?
One of the biggest surprises in the reveal was the return of Josh Lawson’s Kano and Max Huang’s Kung Lao—both of whom died in the first movie. So, what gives?
Boon addressed the mystery, explaining that the Mortal Kombat franchise has always played fast and loose with life and death. “We deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that,” he said. “There are ways to bring dead characters back.”
This tracks with Mortal Kombat’s long history of resurrecting characters in wild ways, from dark magic to clones.
More Fighters Join the Tournament
Along with Johnny Cage, Shao Kahn, and Kitana, the sequel introduces Damon Herriman (Better Man) as Quan Chi, Tati Gabrielle (The Last of Us Season 2) as Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen (NCIS: Sydney) as Queen Sindel.
In an exciting crossover for gamers, NetherRealm Studios also confirmed that Johnny Cage, Kitana, and Shao Kahn’s movie designs will be added to Mortal Kombat 1 as skins later this year.
When Does Mortal Kombat 2 Release?
The sequel is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025. With a mix of new and returning characters, supernatural twists, and some seriously brutal fights on the horizon, it looks like Mortal Kombat 2 is ready to level up from the first film.
The big question now: Can Karl Urban make Johnny Cage his own while keeping the charm fans love? We’ll find out next year.
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, NetherRealm Studios
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