The buzz around the upcoming "Mortal Kombat 2" movie, set to hit theaters this fall, is palpable among fans following the 2021 reboot. The sequel has sparked a flurry of discussions ranging from casting choices, budget analysis, to potential box office returns. Let's delve into the current online sentiment and predictions surrounding this much-anticipated 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

The new film's focus has shifted away from the 2021 reboot's protagonist, Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan. Cole, who served as a fresh face and a vehicle for the reboot's narrative, has drawn mixed reactions. Many fans expressed their desire for the spotlight to return to established 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, while another hinted at a shift in the main character, 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."

Johnny Cage, now played by Karl Urban, seems to be taking center stage, much to the delight of many fans. "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 fan on Reddit noted. However, Urban's casting has stirred some controversy due to 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." Suggestions for alternative actors included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Yet, some fans defended Urban, drawing parallels to unexpected but successful castings like Heath Ledger's Joker, arguing, "it's unfair to suggest Urban can't pull it off."

Discussions about the film's budget and its potential at the box office have also been rife. One fan speculated on r/BoxOffice that the movie would bring in around $250 million, while another suggested, "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad." A more optimistic prediction pegged the film's earnings under $300 million, with a strong performance expected on streaming platforms: "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

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The production of "Mortal Kombat 2" faced its share of challenges, including a halt in filming due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July 2023. Filming resumed in November 2023 and wrapped up by January 2024. Some fans are skeptical about the film's success, with one noting, "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." Suggestions for a release date swap were floated, with one fan proposing to push "Zach Cregger’s Weapons" to October and delay "Mortal Kombat 2" to January or February 2026. Others believe Karl Urban's popularity from "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."

Despite the mixed reactions, excitement for "Mortal Kombat 2" remains high among fans. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one fan 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." There's also a call to reevaluate the potential of video game movies: "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors have also circulated about a potential shift in the release date to August, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another." Fans believe this could be beneficial, with one commenting, "That would make more sense. The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another agreed, stating, "MK screams August, IMO."

As we await the release of "Mortal Kombat 2," the film continues to generate significant buzz and debate. With months to go until its premiere, fans are eagerly discussing every aspect of the movie, from casting to potential box office performance. One thing is clear: the conversation around "Mortal Kombat 2" will not die down anytime soon. K.O.

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