Mortal Kombat 2: First Look at Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage

The battle for Earthrealm is far from over. After the brutal events of 2021’s Mortal Kombat, the highly anticipated sequel is set to raise the stakes—and introduce a fan-favorite fighter. The first exclusive look at Mortal Kombat 2 confirms that The Boys star Karl Urban will take on the role of Johnny Cage, the flashy Hollywood martial artist known for his cocky attitude and lethal skills. The movie is set to hit theaters and IMAX on October 24, promising an action-packed showdown that finally delivers the Mortal Kombat tournament fans have been waiting for.

Johnny Cage Steps Into the Arena

Johnny Cage was teased at the end of the first film when protagonist Cole Young (Lewis Tan) headed to Los Angeles in search of a new champion. Now, Urban is bringing his own take on the larger-than-life fighter.

“You finally get to see Johnny Cage,” says Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon. “His integration into the Mortal Kombat universe is a big part of this movie. He’s a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent world. Karl’s version is different from our games in some ways—he’s adding his own flair—but it feels fresh. There’s a novelty factor in there.”

Director Simon McQuoid was careful to balance Johnny’s humor with depth. “We wanted a character that wasn’t just completely silly. He could easily become too light and throwaway if we leaned too much into the cheese,” McQuoid explains. “Casting Karl Urban allowed us to bring more layers to the character.” Early screenings suggest Johnny Cage’s introduction is one of the funniest moments in the film, delivering some of the biggest laughs.

New Fighters Join the Fray

Johnny Cage isn’t the only newcomer in Mortal Kombat 2. The sequel introduces Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, the fan-favorite warrior princess, and Martyn Ford as the menacing Outworld overlord Shao Kahn. They join returning characters such as Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Jax Briggs (Mehcad Brooks), Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano), Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), and Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada), fresh off his Emmy wins for Shōgun.

Damon Herriman will also appear as the Netherrealm demon Quan Chi, a major antagonist in Mortal Kombat lore. And despite Kano (Josh Lawson) and Kung Lao (Max Huang) dying in the first film, both actors are back. Boon teases that Lawson isn’t playing Kano’s twin but hints at Mortal Kombat’s ability to resurrect characters through spirits and the Netherrealm.

The Tournament Begins—With Consequences

While the first film set up the stakes, the actual Mortal Kombat tournament takes center stage in the sequel. The fate of Earthrealm hangs in the balance: If Earth loses its tenth consecutive match against Outworld, Shao Kahn will invade and take over.

“They keep score throughout the movie,” Boon reveals. “There’s a visual representation of who is winning. It’s not just a tournament for the sake of it—there are real consequences.” Fans can expect unexpected twists and intense battles that will keep audiences on edge.

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Bigger, Bolder, and More Brutal

McQuoid and screenwriter Jeremy Slater aimed to make Mortal Kombat 2 even more intense than its predecessor. “We wanted to maximize everything—make it bigger in scale, bigger in variation, bigger across the board,” McQuoid says.

Part of that expansion includes new realms, offering a more visually dynamic experience. The film was also shot with IMAX in mind, with sequences utilizing changing aspect ratios to amplify key moments.

The movie’s influence extends to the gaming world as well. Later this year, Mortal Kombat 1 will introduce movie-accurate skins for characters like Johnny Cage, Kitana, and Shao Kahn, bringing the film’s aesthetics into the gaming experience.

Here's is a sneak peek at the MK2 movie skins in Mortal Kombat 1 🐉

Koming later this year. pic.twitter.com/51Bkq6wGbX

— Ed Boon (@noobde) March 17, 2025

More Fighters, More Action, More Chaos

One key goal for the sequel was to introduce more female warriors. Alongside Kitana, Mortal Kombat 2 welcomes Tati Gabrielle as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel. More characters remain under wraps, but McQuoid hints at surprises in store for longtime fans.

As for the heated rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero, it will still be present, though not the central focus. “He’s making significant appearances,” Boon says of Sanada’s Scorpion. “He plays a different role this time. He’s not part of the ‘Super Friends’ trying to defeat Shao Kahn, but his presence is crucial.”

With a bigger cast, higher stakes, and the long-awaited tournament finally taking place, Mortal Kombat 2 is shaping up to be a brutal, action-packed spectacle. Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see who will claim victory—and who won’t survive the fight.