Excitement is building among Mortal Kombat fans as the sequel, Mortal Kombat 2, offers a thrilling first glimpse at several new characters joining the cinematic universe. Entertainment Weekly recently unveiled captivating images of Karl Urban as the egocentric Hollywood star Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford embodying the menacing Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as the graceful Kitana. Additionally, Hiroyuki Sanada returns to reprise his role as the iconic Scorpion, adding depth to the film's roster of fighters.
Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in The Boys, steps into the shoes of Johnny Cage, a character beloved by fans for his brash personality and martial arts prowess. A promotional image showcases Urban in a classic martial arts pose, complete with Johnny Cage's signature hairstyle and sunglasses. The backdrop features returning stars Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, hinting at the dynamic interactions fans can expect.
First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana and Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 2 film:
Karl Urban ➡️ Johnny Cage
Martyn Ford ➡️ Shao Kahn
Adeline Rudolph ➡️ Kitana
Hiroyuki Sanada reprises as ScorpionVia: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK
#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025
Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series, shared insights with Entertainment Weekly on Johnny Cage's pivotal role in the sequel. "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores," Boon stated. He highlighted Karl Urban's unique take on the character, adding, "He's a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl's depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He's adding his own flair to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there."
Boon teased a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Johnny Cage, while director Simon McQuoid emphasized the balance of humor and depth in Urban's portrayal: "We wanted a character that wasn't just completely silly, comic book… It's a character that could instantly go there and become too light and throwaway if we were to lean too much into the kind of cheese. The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth."
In exciting news for gamers, Entertainment Weekly confirmed that movie-accurate skins for Urban's Johnny Cage, Rudolph's Kitana, and Ford's Shao Kahn will be available in Mortal Kombat 1 later this year, bridging the gap between the film and the gaming world.
The sequel also introduces Damon Herriman as the sinister Quan Chi, with Josh Lawson and Max Huang reprising their roles as Kano and Kung Lao, despite their characters' demise in the first film. Boon addressed the return of these characters, citing the flexibility of the Mortal Kombat lore: "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that," he explained. "There are ways to bring dead characters back."
Rounding out the cast, Tati Gabrielle takes on the role of Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen plays Queen Sindel. Fans can mark their calendars for the theatrical release of Mortal Kombat 2 on October 24, 2025, promising an action-packed continuation of the beloved franchise.
