Karl Urban Steps Into the Ring as Johnny Cage in ‘Mortal Kombat 2’—New Cast Members, Tournament Stakes, and More
The highly anticipated sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat is set to bring the brutal tournament to the big screen, and this time, the stakes are higher than ever. With new cast members, returning favorites, and a massive battle for Earthrealm’s survival, Mortal Kombat 2 is shaping up to be a must-watch action spectacle when it arrives in theaters and IMAX on October 24.
Enter Johnny Cage
One of the biggest reveals in the sequel is the introduction of Johnny Cage, the fan-favorite Hollywood martial artist, portrayed by The Boys star Karl Urban. Teased in the first movie through a poster for his fictional film Citizen Cage, Johnny is now stepping into the Mortal Kombat universe in full force.
“You finally get to see Johnny Cage,” says Ed Boon, co-creator of Mortal Kombat and head of NetherRealm Studios. “His role in the story is a huge part of this film. He’s a washed-up actor suddenly thrown into this magical, ultra-violent world. Karl brings a fresh take to the character while staying true to Johnny’s roots.”
Director Simon McQuoid notes that striking the right tone for Johnny was crucial. “We wanted to avoid making him a purely comedic, throwaway character. Karl brings depth and charisma, which helps balance Johnny’s humor with the film’s darker elements.” Boon teases that Johnny’s introduction is “ridiculously hilarious” and has already delivered some of the biggest laughs in early screenings.
New Faces and Fan-Favorite Characters
Joining the fight alongside returning cast members like Ludi Lin (Liu Kang), Mehcad Brooks (Jax), Jessica McNamee (Sonya Blade), Tadanobu Asano (Raiden), Joe Taslim (Sub-Zero), and Hiroyuki Sanada (Scorpion), the sequel also welcomes fresh faces:
- Adeline Rudolph (Hellboy: The Crooked Man) as Kitana
- Martyn Ford (House of David) as the ruthless Outworld ruler Shao Kahn
- Damon Herriman (Better Man) as the sinister Netherrealm sorcerer Quan Chi
- Tati Gabrielle (The Last of Us Season 2) as Jade
- Ana Thu Nguyen (NCIS: Sydney) as Queen Sindel
In an exciting crossover for gamers, Mortal Kombat 1 will also introduce movie-accurate skins of Urban’s Johnny Cage, Rudolph’s Kitana, and Ford’s Shao Kahn later this year.
The Mortal Kombat Tournament Arrives
The first Mortal Kombat film saw Shang Tsung (Chin Han) attempt to eliminate Earth’s champions before the legendary Mortal Kombat tournament could even begin. Now, the long-awaited tournament is officially here, and the outcome will determine the fate of Earthrealm.
“If Earthrealm loses its 10th consecutive tournament against Outworld, Shao Kahn will invade and take over,” Boon explains. “We keep score throughout the movie, visually tracking who’s winning. This isn’t just a fight for entertainment—there are real, massive consequences.”
The film will also explore intriguing twists, including the return of Josh Lawson as Kano and Max Huang as Kung Lao, despite their characters’ apparent deaths in the first film. Boon hints at Mortal Kombat’s lore as the key to their comeback. “We’ve brought back characters before in the games, using spirits and the NetherRealm. There are ways to make it work.”
Expanding the Mortal Kombat Universe
Beyond the tournament, Mortal Kombat 2 aims to go bigger in every way. McQuoid and screenwriter Jeremy Slater have expanded the film’s scale, introducing multiple realms and increasing the number of strong female characters.
“We wanted to add more female warriors,” McQuoid says. “Alongside Sonya and Kitana, we now have Jade, Sindel, and a few surprise characters.”
The film also leverages IMAX technology for an enhanced cinematic experience. “We played with aspect ratios to make certain sequences hit even harder,” McQuoid reveals. “The goal was to be bolder, more intense, and to embrace everything that makes Mortal Kombat great.”
With an epic lineup of fighters, jaw-dropping action, and a tournament that will decide the fate of Earth, Mortal Kombat 2 is gearing up to deliver the ultimate battle when it lands in theaters this fall. As McQuoid puts it: “Go bigger, go bolder, and don’t hold back. That’s exactly what we’ve done.”