The Internet Reacts to Mortal Kombat 2's Reveal of Karl Urban's Johnny Cage

Mortal Kombat 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 reboot, is slated for a fall release, igniting fervent discussion among fans. Speculation runs rampant, encompassing budget projections, box office potential, casting choices (with recent reveals of Johnny Cage, Shao Kahn, and Kitana), and even potential release date shifts. Let's delve into the online buzz surrounding this upcoming cinematic clash.

A first look at the film, showcasing Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Kitana, Shao Kahn, and Scorpion, has already fueled intense debate. https://t.co/RenOSjHNg0

The 2021 reboot's introduction of Cole Young, a somewhat controversial original character, has sparked significant online conversation. Many fans express a preference for established franchise characters to take center stage, with Cole's role in the sequel a major point of contention. One fan commented, "I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully he takes a backseat in this one." Another chimed in, "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 sentiment is clear: many fans are eager to see a shift away from Cole Young. The prominence of Johnny Cage, particularly Karl Urban's top billing on promotional materials, further fuels this anticipation. One Redditor stated, "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 as Johnny Cage hasn't been universally embraced. Concerns about his age (49 at the time of filming) and whether he embodies the character's signature exuberant charisma are prevalent. Comments such as, "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," highlight these reservations. Alternative casting suggestions for Johnny Cage include Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Despite the criticism, some fans defend Urban's casting, drawing parallels to Heath Ledger's unexpected success as the Joker. One Redditor countered, "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker...it's unfair to suggest Urban can't pull it off." Another simply stated, "Primitive monkey brain triggers ‘Karl Urban in movie, take my money.’"

Box office predictions are also a hot topic, with estimates ranging from $250 million to over $300 million, alongside expectations of strong streaming performance. One r/BoxOffice commenter suggested a $250 million gross, with another replying, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." The impact of production delays caused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike is also acknowledged, with one user noting, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up."

Despite the optimism, some predict a less successful outcome. Concerns about the first film's reception and the late October release date are voiced. One fan commented, "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 to shift the release date to January or February 2026 have been made. Conversely, others believe Urban's popularity from The Boys will boost the film's performance. One user argued, "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."

Ultimately, a significant portion of the fanbase expresses excitement for the film, highlighting their enjoyment of the first movie and a general enthusiasm for the franchise. Comments like, "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," and "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," showcase this positive sentiment. Another fan stated, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors of a potential release date shift to August, currently occupied by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, are also circulating. One user commented, "That would make more sense. The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another added, "MK screams August, IMO."

Regardless of individual opinions, the anticipation surrounding Mortal Kombat 2 is undeniable. The coming months will reveal the film's ultimate fate, but the online discourse ensures that the conversation will continue until its release. What are your thoughts on Mortal Kombat 2? Share your predictions in the comments!

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