The anticipation for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie this fall is palpable among fans. Following the 2021 reboot, the sequel promises to deliver more thrilling action and intriguing plot developments. The internet is abuzz with speculation about its budget, casting choices, potential box office performance, and even its release date. Let's delve into the current online discussions and predictions about what's expected from this eagerly awaited 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
One of the focal points of fan discussions is the franchise's new protagonist, Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan in the 2021 reboot. Many fans expressed a desire for the sequel to shift focus away from Cole, who served as an entry point for new viewers but didn't resonate with long-time fans. "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 change in the lead, suggesting, "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 sparked both excitement and debate. While some fans are thrilled, others question the choice due to Urban's age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, 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 were floated, but Urban's defenders pointed to his versatile acting history, with one fan stating, "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker... it's unfair to suggest Urban can't pull it off."
Financial aspects of the film are also under scrutiny. Fans on a r/BoxOffice thread speculated that the movie could earn around $250 million at the box office. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," one fan noted, while another predicted, "Under $300 million. But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run." The budget increase due to strike delays was also mentioned, with one user saying, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up."
Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations
10 Images
Not everyone is optimistic about the sequel'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 remarked, suggesting a calendar shift to optimize its potential. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." However, others believe Karl Urban's involvement, particularly 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 countered.
Despite mixed opinions, there's a segment of fans who are simply 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 encouraged the community, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."
There's also chatter about a potential release date shift to August, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film One Battle After Another. "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 agreed, "MK screams August, IMO."
As the release date approaches, fans' enthusiasm for Mortal Kombat 2 continues to grow, fueled by debates, predictions, and excitement. Whether it lives up to the hype or not, one thing is certain: the conversation around the film won't die down anytime soon. K.O.
What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!
