Excitement is brewing among fans as the release of the much-anticipated Mortal Kombat 2 movie approaches this fall. Following the 2021 reboot, the sequel has sparked a flurry of discussions and analyses across the internet, from budget considerations and box office predictions to casting choices and potential release date shifts. Let's delve into the online buzz surrounding this upcoming film.

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, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as a new main character. While Cole served as an effective entry point for new viewers, many fans expressed a preference for established characters to take the spotlight. "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 shift in focus, stating, "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 stirred mixed reactions. Some fans questioned the choice due to Urban's age, with comments like, "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" and "I like Karl Urban but at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore." However, others defended Urban, drawing parallels to unexpected casting successes in the past, such as Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker. 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," one fan argued.

Alternative casting suggestions included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Despite the debate, some fans remain enthusiastic about Urban's involvement, humorously stating, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

Financial aspects of the sequel are also under scrutiny. On a r/BoxOffice thread, one fan predicted the film could bring in around $250 million, with another suggesting, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." A more optimistic fan projected earnings "under $300 million," emphasizing the film's potential for strong streaming performance. "But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run," they added.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

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The budget for Mortal Kombat 2 reportedly doubled from the first film's $55 million due to delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July 2023. Filming resumed in November 2023 and concluded by January 2024. Some fans expressed skepticism about the film's success, with one stating, "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." Suggestions for a different release strategy included moving the film to January or February 2026, while others believed Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys could boost its 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.," one fan argued.

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are eagerly anticipating the film. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one Redditor 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 emphasized the growing success of video game adaptations, stating, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors also circulate about a potential shift to an August release date, currently held 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, saying, "MK screams August, IMO."

As the release date approaches, the fervor surrounding Mortal Kombat 2 continues to grow. Whether fans are skeptical or excited, one thing is clear: the conversation around this sequel is far from over. We'll keep the discussion going until the film hits the screens. K.O.

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