The highly anticipated sequel, Mortal Kombat 2, has given fans a thrilling first look at several new characters set to make their debut in the film. Entertainment Weekly unveiled exclusive images featuring Karl Urban as the iconic Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as the menacing Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph portraying the elegant Kitana. Additionally, Hiroyuki Sanada returns to reprise his role as the fierce Scorpion, much to the delight of the franchise's dedicated fanbase.
Speculation had been rife about how Karl Urban, known for his portrayal of Billy Butcher in The Boys, would embody the egocentric Hollywood star Johnny Cage. The first look reveals a fresh-faced Urban sporting Cage's signature hairstyle and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. The background of the image features returning characters Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, adding to the excitement.
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, on Johnny Cage's role in the sequel. "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 adds a unique twist to the character, describing it as having a "novelty factor" while still feeling fresh. Boon teased a "ridiculously hilarious" character introduction for Cage, promising fans a memorable entrance.
Director Simon McQuoid emphasized the balance they aimed to strike with Cage's character, noting, "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."
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 Mortal Kombat 1 later this year, allowing gamers to experience the film's aesthetic within the game.
In addition to the new faces, Damon Herriman joins the cast as the sinister Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang make a surprising return as Kano and Kung Lao, despite their demise in the first film. Boon explained the return of these characters by referencing the series' lore, which often manipulates the boundaries between life and death: "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 new additions, Tati Gabrielle takes on the role of Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen portrays Queen Sindel. Mortal Kombat 2 is slated to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising an exciting continuation of the saga.
