It's true: Mortal Kombat 2, the movie, is set to hit theaters this fall, following the 2021 reboot. Fans are buzzing with anticipation and curiosity about how this sequel will perform, from its budget and box office potential to casting choices and release dates. Let's dive into the internet's predictions and opinions on Mortal Kombat 2. Round 1, fight!

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 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, as the new main character. While Cole serves as an effective entry point for new viewers, many fans prefer the focus to shift to established franchise 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 remarked. Another hinted at a change, saying, "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."

Karl Urban's casting as Johnny Cage has sparked a range of reactions. While some fans are thrilled, others question the choice due to his age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan wrote, while another noted, "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 casting included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue, "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker... I think it's unfair to suggest Urban can't pull it off. The dude has been really good in a ton of very different roles." Another fan humorously added, "Primitive monkey brain triggers 'Karl Urban in movie, take my money.'"

Debates over the sequel's budget and box office potential are also rife. One fan on a r/BoxOffice thread predicted, "The film would bring in around $250 million. If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," while another suggested, "Under $300 million. But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run." The film's budget reportedly doubled from the first film’s $55 million due to strike-related delays, which halted filming in July 2023 before resuming in November 2023 and concluding by January 2024.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

Not everyone is optimistic about Mortal Kombat 2's success. "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," one fan said, suggesting a potential shift in the release calendar. "If I was WB, I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." However, Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys might 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.," another user countered.

Excitement for the film is also palpable among fans. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up. Looking forward to this," one Redditor shared. 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." A third fan pointed out, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

Rumors suggest that Mortal Kombat 2 might move to an August release date, currently held by Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. "That would make more sense," one user noted. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another fan agreed, "MK screams August, IMO."

No matter their opinions, fans are undoubtedly fired up about Mortal Kombat 2. With months to go before its release, the conversation will only grow more intense. K.O.

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