The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the release of the "Mortal Kombat 2" movie this fall. Following the 2021 reboot, anticipation is high to see how this sequel will fare in theaters and whether it will meet the high expectations set by its predecessor. From budget considerations to casting choices, and potential release date shifts, the internet is abuzz with predictions and opinions. Let's explore what fans are saying about the upcoming "Mortal Kombat 2." 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
One of the central points of discussion is the franchise's new protagonist, Cole Young, introduced in the 2021 reboot and portrayed by Lewis Tan. Cole, who serves as a relatable newcomer to the Mortal Kombat universe, has stirred mixed reactions among fans. Many feel that the focus should shift to established characters, as evidenced by comments like, “I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully he takes a backseat in this one.” Another fan hinted at a potential change in the lead role, 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 spotlight seems to be shifting towards Johnny Cage, with Karl Urban stepping into the role. Some fans are thrilled about this development, 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, Urban's casting has sparked debate, particularly regarding his age. Critics have voiced concerns like, “Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?” and “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 names like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, some fans came to Urban’s defense, with one 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 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.’”
Another hot topic is the film's budget and its potential box office performance. On a r/BoxOffice thread, one fan predicted that the movie "would bring in around $250 million." Another responded positively, stating, “If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad.” A third fan was even more optimistic, suggesting, “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
10 Images
Regarding the film's budget, one fan noted that it would likely be double the first film's budget of $55 million, explaining, “This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up.” Filming for "Mortal Kombat 2" was paused in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes but resumed in November 2023, wrapping up by January 2024.
Despite the enthusiasm, some fans are skeptical about the movie's success. One expressed doubt, saying, “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.” They suggested a potential shift in the release calendar, stating, “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, with one fan stating, “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.”
On the flip side, many fans are simply excited about the film. One Redditor shared, “First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. 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 encouraged optimism, saying, “This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies.”
There is also a rumor circulating that "Mortal Kombat 2" might shift to the August slot currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film, "One Battle After Another." One fan supported this idea, noting, “That would make more sense. The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer.” Another agreed, stating, “MK screams August, IMO.”
With months to go until the release, the buzz around "Mortal Kombat 2" continues to grow. No matter their stance, fans are engaged and eagerly awaiting what the movie will bring. We'll keep the conversation going until then. K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
