"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 their first glimpse at some of the new characters joining the fray. Entertainment Weekly has unveiled images of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, with Hiroyuki Sanada reprising his role as Scorpion.

The casting of Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in The Boys, as the egocentric Hollywood star Johnny Cage has been a topic of much speculation among fans. The newly released image showcases Urban in a fresh-faced look, complete with Cage's signature hairstyle and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. In the background, we can spot Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, hinting at the exciting ensemble cast.

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

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#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6

— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025

Ed Boon, the co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series, 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 stated. He highlighted that Urban's portrayal of Cage brings a fresh take to the character, blending the essence of the game with Urban's unique style. Boon teased a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Cage, promising a blend of humor and depth.

Director Simon McQuoid emphasized the importance of balancing Cage's comedic elements with a deeper character arc. "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," McQuoid explained.

In addition to the new characters, 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, bridging the gap between the film and the game.

The sequel also sees the return of some familiar faces. Damon Herriman joins the cast as Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang reprise their roles 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 brings characters back from the dead, allows for such creative liberties: "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 as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel. Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising fans an action-packed continuation of the beloved franchise.