Excitement is building as fans eagerly await the release of "Mortal Kombat 2" this fall, following the successful reboot in 2021. The buzz around the sequel is palpable, with discussions swirling about its budget, potential earnings, casting choices, and possible release date shifts. Let's delve into what the internet is saying about this highly anticipated film.
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 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as a new protagonist. While Cole served as an effective entry point for new viewers, many fans are vocal about their preference for established characters taking the lead. "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 expressed. Another hinted at a shift in focus, "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 casting of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage has sparked a mix of reactions. Some fans are thrilled, noting his prominent placement on 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 commented. However, others question the choice due to Urban's age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another added, "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 actors like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz were floated, but Urban also received support from fans who believe in his versatility. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," a Redditor defended. "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."
The financial aspects of "Mortal Kombat 2" are also under scrutiny. On a r/BoxOffice thread, one fan predicted the film could earn around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. A more optimistic prediction suggested earnings under $300 million, with significant streaming success. "But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run," the fan added.
Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations
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The film's budget was impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which delayed production from July 2023 to November 2023, with filming wrapping up by January 2024. "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up," a user noted in response to the increased budget.
Opinions on the film's potential success vary. Some fans are skeptical, with one stating, "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 for a different release strategy were made, such as moving it 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 fan argued.
Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are genuinely excited for "Mortal Kombat 2." "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "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 emphasized the growing success of video game movies, "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 "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."
As the release date approaches, the anticipation for "Mortal Kombat 2" continues to grow. Whether fans are skeptical or excited, one thing is clear: the conversation around this sequel is far from over. We'll keep discussing it until the film hits the screens. K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
