Excitement is building as fans eagerly await the release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall, following the 2021 reboot. The sequel has sparked intense discussions about its potential impact, from budget and box office predictions to casting choices and release date speculations. Let's delve into what the internet is saying about the upcoming film and explore the buzz surrounding it. Round 1, fight!

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, played by Lewis Tan, as the new protagonist, sparking mixed reactions among fans. Many feel that Cole, who serves as a newcomer to the Mortal Kombat universe, detracts from the established lore. "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, suggesting that Johnny Cage, portrayed by Karl Urban, might take the lead this time around. "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," they added.

Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has stirred debate, particularly regarding his age. Some fans believe that at 49, Urban may not capture the youthful exuberance typically associated with the character. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another noted, "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 casting included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue that his versatility across various roles should not be underestimated. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," a fan countered. "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. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that the film could gross around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. Optimism runs higher with some suggesting it could reach under $300 million. "But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run," another user added. The film's budget reportedly doubled from the first film's $55 million due to delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which halted production in July 2023 before resuming in November and wrapping up by January 2024.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

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Despite the enthusiasm, some fans are skeptical about the film's success. "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," one fan commented, suggesting a potential shift in release dates to maximize potential. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." Others believe that 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.

Amidst the debates, many fans remain excited about the film. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." 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 emphasized the growing success of video game movies, saying, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also chatter about a potential release date change to August, currently occupied by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. "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 fan agreed, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we count down to the release of Mortal Kombat 2, fans' passion for the franchise remains undiminished. Whether it's excitement, skepticism, or speculation, the conversation around the film is as intense as the battles within the game itself. We'll keep discussing until the movie hits the screens. K.O.

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