Fans of the iconic fighting game series, Mortal Kombat, have been treated to an exciting sneak peek at several new characters set to appear in the highly anticipated sequel, Mortal Kombat 2. Entertainment Weekly has unveiled images featuring Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, alongside the returning Hiroyuki Sanada reprising his role as Scorpion.
Curiosity about Karl Urban's portrayal of the egocentric Hollywood star Johnny Cage had been rampant among fans, especially after an in-universe poster hinting at his character surfaced. The new image reveals a fresh-faced Urban sporting Cage's signature hair and sunglasses, striking a quintessential martial arts pose. The backdrop includes returning stars 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 ScorpionVia: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK
#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025
Entertainment Weekly also shared insights from Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series and a key figure at NetherRealm Studios. Boon discussed Johnny Cage's integration into the film's narrative, stating, "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores. He's a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He's adding his own flair to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there."
Boon teased a "ridiculously hilarious" character introduction for Johnny Cage, while director Simon McQuoid elaborated on the character's depth, saying, "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. The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth."
In addition, Entertainment Weekly confirmed that movie-accurate skins for Urban's Johnny Cage, Rudolph's Kitana, and Ford's Shao Kahn will be available in Mortal Kombat 1 later this year, adding excitement for gamers and fans alike.
The sequel also introduces Damon Herriman as Quan Chi, and sees Josh Lawson and Max Huang return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively, despite their characters' demise in the first film. Boon explained this resurrection by referencing the series' lore: "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that," he said. "There are ways to bring dead characters back."
New additions to the cast include Tati Gabrielle as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel, rounding out an impressive lineup. Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising an exhilarating continuation of the franchise's legacy.
