The anticipation for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie, set to release this fall, has the fanbase buzzing with excitement and speculation. Following the 2021 reboot, fans are eager to see how the sequel will perform both in theaters and in terms of critical reception. Discussions are rife about the film's budget, potential earnings, casting choices, and even the possibility of shifting release dates. So, let's delve into the internet's collective thoughts and predictions on this much-anticipated sequel. 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

A hot topic among fans is the franchise's new protagonist introduced in the 2021 reboot, Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan. Cole serves as a relatable character for new viewers, yet many fans express a preference for the spotlight to return to established characters. "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 noted, while another hinted at a shift in focus: "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 consensus seems to be shifting towards excitement for Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, taking center stage. "Johnny is the main character this time 100%. Urban got top billing on the poster they released and he’s prominently featured in the first promo images," a Redditor confidently stated. However, Urban's casting has stirred mixed feelings, particularly regarding his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" questioned one fan, while another remarked, "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 like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz surfaced, but some fans defended Urban, comparing his potential performance to Heath Ledger's iconic portrayal of The Joker. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," a Redditor 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 financial aspects of Mortal Kombat 2 are also under the microscope, with fans debating its budget and potential box office returns. A user on r/BoxOffice predicted the film would bring in around $250 million, with another suggesting, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." Some fans were more optimistic, forecasting earnings "under $300 million," and emphasizing the film's 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."

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

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The budget discussions are further complicated by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which delayed filming from July 2023 until its resumption in November 2023, concluding by January 2024. "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up," one user explained.

Despite the optimism, some fans expressed doubts 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," a fan commented, suggesting a shift in the release calendar 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 Karl Urban's involvement, thanks to his role in The Boys, could boost the film's appeal. "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 user argued.

Amidst the skepticism, there's genuine excitement among fans. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." Another user expressed their anticipation: "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 expectations: "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors of a potential release date shift to August, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, have also been circulating. "That would make more sense," one user suggested. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another fan added, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we await the release of Mortal Kombat 2, the fervor among fans is undeniable. Whether it's the casting debates, budget discussions, or potential release date changes, the conversation around this sequel is far from over. We'll keep the dialogue going until we see what the movie has in store. K.O.

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