It's official: Mortal Kombat 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 reboot, is set to hit theaters this fall. With fans buzzing about every detail, from the budget to the casting and potential release dates, the excitement is palpable. Let's delve into the online chatter and predictions surrounding this upcoming film. 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

The introduction of Cole Young as the new main character in the 2021 reboot has sparked a lot of debate. Played by Lewis Tan, Cole serves as a relatable entry point for newcomers, but many fans express a desire to see more focus on established franchise 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 commented. Another fan hinted at a shift in the storyline, 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 shift in focus to Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, has fans both excited and skeptical. "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 noted, indicating strong support for this change.

However, Urban's casting has raised eyebrows, particularly regarding his 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." Some fans suggested alternative actors like Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, or The Miz, though others defended Urban's casting, citing his versatile acting skills. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," a fan argued. "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." Another fan humorously added, "Primitive monkey brain triggers ‘Karl Urban in movie, take my money.’"

The film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. On a r/BoxOffice thread, one fan predicted the film could bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan replied. A more optimistic fan suggested, "Under $300 million. 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

10 ImagesIn response to another Redditor's comment about the budget doubling from the first film's $55 million, one user noted, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up." Filming for Mortal Kombat 2 was delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes from July 2023 but resumed in November 2023 and was completed by January 2024.

Skepticism about the film's success is also present. "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," one fan expressed, suggesting a different release strategy. "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 popularity from The Boys could boost the film's 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.," a fan countered.

Excitement for the film remains high among some fans. "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 pointed out, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors are circulating that Mortal Kombat 2 might move to the August slot 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, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."

Regardless of opinions, the anticipation for Mortal Kombat 2 is undeniable. With several months until its release, the discussions and debates will continue to fuel fan excitement. K.O.

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