Fans of the iconic fighting game series are buzzing with excitement as *Mortal Kombat 2* offers a thrilling first look at several new characters slated to appear in the upcoming movie sequel. Entertainment Weekly has released images featuring Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, alongside the return of Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion.
The anticipation surrounding Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage, especially after his image appeared on an in-universe poster for a Cage movie, has been palpable. Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in *The Boys*, steps into the shoes of Mortal Kombat's fan-favorite egocentric Hollywood star. In the released image, Urban sports Cage's trademark hair and sunglasses while striking a classic martial arts pose. In the background, we see returning cast members Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, adding to the excitement.
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, the co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series from NetherRealm Studios, shared his insights on Johnny Cage's role in the sequel with Entertainment Weekly. "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores," Boon stated. He described Cage as a washed-up Hollywood actor thrust into a world of magic and extreme violence, noting that Urban's interpretation adds a fresh twist to the character. "He's adding his own flare to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there," Boon added, teasing a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Johnny Cage.
Director Simon McQuoid elaborated on the character's depth, stating, "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."
Entertainment Weekly also 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 game and the film.
In an exciting twist, Damon Herriman, known for his role in *Better Man*, will play Quan Chi in *Mortal Kombat 2*. Additionally, Josh Lawson and Max Huang will return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively, despite their characters' demise in the first film. Boon explained that the lore from the Mortal Kombat video games, which often brings characters back through spirits and the NetherRealm, allows for such returns. "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that," he said. "There are ways to bring dead characters back."
Rounding out the cast are Tati Gabrielle, who will play Jade from *The Last of Us Season 2*, and Ana Thu Nguyen from *NCIS: Sydney*, who will portray Queen Sindel. *Mortal Kombat 2* is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising an action-packed continuation of the beloved franchise.
