Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2: Internet's Reaction

The much-anticipated sequel to the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot, titled Mortal Kombat 2, is set to hit theaters this fall. With fans buzzing about its potential, the sequel has already generated a flurry of discussions around its budget, casting choices, and possible release dates. Let's dive into the online chatter and see what the internet predicts for this upcoming film. Ready, set, fight!

For those of you who might have missed it, here is a first look at the Mortal Kombat 2 movie! It 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 new protagonist. While Cole served as an effective entry point for new viewers, many fans expressed a preference for focusing on established franchise 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 remarked. Another added, "He isn't the main character anymore, Johnny is. I'm not sure if it's Johnny, but a lot of leaks have said he isn't the MC anymore."

There's a clear shift in focus to Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, who has been prominently featured in 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, Urban's casting has stirred some controversy, with fans questioning his age and suitability for the role. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another said, "I like Karl Urban but at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore."

Alternative casting suggestions have included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, some fans defended Urban, with one saying, "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 dude has been really good in a ton of very different roles." Another fan humorously added, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

The sequel's budget and box office potential have also been hot topics. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that the film would bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. A third suggested even higher returns, "Under $300 million, but it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run."

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In response to the budget discussions, one user noted that the initial budget was less than the first film’s ($55 million), but "strike delays blew it up." Filming for Mortal Kombat 2 was halted in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, resuming in November 2023 and wrapping by January 2024.

Despite the enthusiasm, 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 expressed, suggesting a potential shift in the release schedule. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." However, others believe Karl Urban's 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.," a user countered.

Excitement for the film remains high among some fans. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one Redditor shared. 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 encouraged a more positive outlook, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also speculation about a possible shift to an August release date, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film One Battle After Another. "That would make more sense," one user commented. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another fan agreed, "MK screams August, IMO."

As the release date approaches, the conversation around Mortal Kombat 2 continues to heat up. With months to go before we see the film in action, one thing is certain: fans will keep the discussion alive until the final knockout. What are your thoughts on Mortal Kombat 2? Share them in the comments below!