Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2: Internet's Reaction

The much-anticipated sequel to the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot, "Mortal Kombat 2," is slated to hit theaters this fall. As excitement builds, fans are eagerly dissecting every detail, from the film's budget and box office potential to the casting choices and potential release dates. Let's dive into the buzz surrounding this upcoming movie and explore what fans are saying about it.

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

The 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as a new main character unfamiliar with his destiny, serving as a conduit for the storyline. However, many fans have expressed a preference for the spotlight to shift to established characters from the franchise. "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 commented. Another hinted at a change, "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 both excitement and debate. While some fans are thrilled about Urban's involvement, others question his suitability for the role due to his 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 included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, some fans defended Urban, pointing out his versatility in previous roles. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," one fan argued. "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 budget and potential box office performance of Mortal Kombat 2 are also hot topics. Discussions on r/BoxOffice suggest the film could bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn't be too bad," one fan noted. Another speculated it might reach under $300 million but emphasized its potential success on streaming platforms. "But it'll do huge on streaming. It doesn't need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run," they added.

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Production challenges, including delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July 2023, have affected the film's budget. "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up," a fan remarked. Despite these challenges, filming resumed in November 2023 and was completed by January 2024.

Opinions on the sequel's potential success vary. Some fans are skeptical, with one expressing, "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." They suggested shifting the release date, "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger's Weapons up to late October and push this 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 countered.

Despite mixed predictions, many fans remain enthusiastic. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one fan shared. 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 urged others to reconsider their views on video game adaptations, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also buzz about a potential release date swap with Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film One Battle After Another, currently set for August. "That would make more sense," one user noted. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another agreed, "MK screams August, IMO."

As the release date approaches, fans are buzzing with anticipation and varied opinions about Mortal Kombat 2. Whether it will live up to expectations remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the conversation around this sequel isn't slowing down anytime soon. K.O.

What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!