Fans of the iconic fighting game series, Mortal Kombat, have been treated to an exciting sneak peek at the upcoming sequel, Mortal Kombat 2. Entertainment Weekly has unveiled the first images of several new characters set to grace the big screen, including Karl Urban as the flamboyant Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as the formidable Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as the elegant Kitana. Returning to the fray is Hiroyuki Sanada, reprising his role as the iconic Scorpion.

The anticipation surrounding Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage has been palpable, especially after his image appeared in an in-universe poster for a Cage movie. 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, fans can spot Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, hinting at the thrilling action to come.

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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Entertainment Weekly also shared insights from Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series, 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 described Cage as a "washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing," and praised Urban's unique take on the character, adding, "Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He's adding his own flare to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there."

Boon teased a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Johnny Cage, while director Simon McQuoid emphasized the balance they aimed to strike with the character. "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 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 the video game Mortal Kombat 1 later this year.

The sequel also sees the return of some familiar faces, despite their demise in the first film. Damon Herriman joins the cast as Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang reprise their roles as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively. Ed Boon explained how the game's lore allows for such returns: "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 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 exhilarating continuation of the brutal and beloved franchise.