"Mortal Kombat 2 Movie Unveils Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana"

Fans of the iconic fighting game series have been eagerly awaiting news on the sequel to the 2021 Mortal Kombat film, and now, they have been treated to the first official glimpses of some new characters set to make their mark in Mortal Kombat 2. Entertainment Weekly has unveiled striking images of Karl Urban as the charismatic Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as the menacing Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as the elegant Kitana, with Hiroyuki Sanada returning to reprise his role as the vengeful Scorpion.

Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in The Boys, has sparked curiosity among fans about how he would embody the flamboyant Hollywood star Johnny Cage. A newly released image showcases Urban in the quintessential Johnny Cage pose, complete with the character's signature hairstyle and sunglasses. The background features familiar faces from the first film, including Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade.

First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana and Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 2 film:

Karl Urban ➡️ Johnny Cage
Martyn Ford ➡️ Shao Kahn
Adeline Rudolph ➡️ Kitana
Hiroyuki Sanada reprises as Scorpion

Via: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6

— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025

Ed Boon, the co-creator of Mortal Kombat from NetherRealm Studios, shared his thoughts on Johnny Cage's role in the sequel with Entertainment Weekly. "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores," Boon explained. He emphasized that Urban brings a unique interpretation to the character, describing him as a "washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing." Boon hinted at a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Johnny Cage, promising a fresh take on the beloved character.

Director Simon McQuoid added that they aimed to create a Johnny Cage that wasn't purely comedic but had substantial depth, thanks to Urban's casting. "We wanted a character that wasn't just completely silly, comic book… It's a character that could instantly go there and become too light and throwaway if we were to lean too much into the kind of cheese," McQuoid stated.

Entertainment Weekly also confirmed that movie-accurate skins for Urban's Johnny Cage, Rudolph's Kitana, and Ford's Shao Kahn will be available in the video game Mortal Kombat 1 later this year, allowing fans to experience the film's aesthetics in the game.

In an exciting twist, Damon Herriman (known for Better Man) will portray the sorcerer Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang are set to return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively, despite their characters' demise in the first film. Boon explained that the lore of the Mortal Kombat games, which often plays with the concept of death and resurrection, allows for such comebacks. "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that," he said. "There are ways to bring dead characters back."

Rounding out the cast are Tati Gabrielle (The Last of Us Season 2) as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen (NCIS: Sydney) as Queen Sindel. Mortal Kombat 2 is slated to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising fans an action-packed continuation of the epic saga.