It's true: Mortal Kombat 2, the movie, is slated for release this fall, and fans are buzzing with anticipation following the 2021 reboot. Curiosity is rampant about how this sequel will perform in theaters and whether it will live up to expectations. The internet is abuzz with discussions on its budget, potential box office returns, casting choices, and possible release date shifts. Let's delve into what fans are saying about the 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 debate over the franchise's new protagonist, Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan in the 2021 reboot, continues to rage. Cole, a character designed as a newcomer to the lore, serves as an entry point for audiences but has divided fans. Many are vocal about preferring a focus 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 remarked, while another hinted at a shift in the spotlight, "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 consensus seems to be that fans are eager for someone else to take the lead, with many believing Johnny Cage, portrayed by Karl Urban, will be the new focal point. "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 about Urban's Johnny Cage.
However, Urban's casting has sparked some debate, particularly regarding 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." A third user added, "I'll never understand why they thought casting a 50-year-old to be Johnny Cage was a good idea."
Alternative suggestions for the role included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz. Yet, some fans defended Urban's casting. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," a Redditor countered. "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 stated, "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 estimated 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 replied. A third fan 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 a comment about the budget doubling from the first film's $55 million, one user noted, "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 and wrapped up by January 2024.
Some fans are skeptical about the sequel'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 opined, 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 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.," one user responded.
Excitement for the film is palpable among some fans. "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, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
There's also talk of a potential release date swap with Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film One Battle After Another, currently slated for August. "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, "MK screams August, IMO."
Regardless of their opinions, fans are clearly passionate about Mortal Kombat 2. With months to go before its release, the conversation will undoubtedly continue. K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
