Mortal Kombat 2 has unveiled its first official looks at several key characters, giving fans a thrilling glimpse into the upcoming film’s roster. Entertainment Weekly revealed exclusive images of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as the towering Shao Kahn, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, and Hiroyuki Sanada reprising his role as the iconic Scorpion.
For months, fans have been curious about how Karl Urban—best known as Billy Butcher in The Boys—would embody the vain yet charismatic Hollywood action star Johnny Cage. Their curiosity was sparked when a promotional in-universe movie poster featuring Urban as Cage surfaced earlier. Now, the full image has arrived: Urban appears clean-cut, rocking Cage’s signature sunglasses and slicked-back hair, striking a classic martial arts pose. In the background, familiar faces return—Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade—hinting at a tightly knit ensemble ready for battle.
First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Kahn, Kitana, and Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 2:
Karl Urban ➡️ Johnny Cage
Martyn Ford ➡️ Shao Kahn
Adeline Rudolph ➡️ Kitana
Hiroyuki Sanada returns as ScorpionVia: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK #MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6
— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025
Ed Boon, co-creator of Mortal Kombat and head of NetherRealm Studios, shared insights 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 explained. “He's a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl’s portrayal is different from our games in some ways—he’s adding his own flair—but I think it’ll feel fresh. There's a novelty factor there.”
Boon also teased that Johnny Cage’s introduction will be “ridiculously hilarious,” while director Simon McQuoid emphasized the importance of balancing humor with depth. “We didn’t want a character who was just silly or cartoonish,” McQuoid said. “There was a risk of leaning too hard into the cheese. Casting Karl Urban gave us someone who could bring gravitas and complexity, even in the most outrageous moments.”
In exciting news for gamers, Entertainment Weekly confirmed that movie-accurate character skins for Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage, Adeline Rudolph’s Kitana, and Martyn Ford’s Shao Kahn will be coming to Mortal Kombat 1 later this year—bridging the gap between the big screen and the gaming world.
The film also welcomes new cast members and surprising returns. Damon Herriman (Better Man) steps into the role of the sinister sorcerer Quan Chi. Meanwhile, Josh Lawson and Max Huang reprise their roles as Kano and Kung Lao, despite both characters meeting their end in the first film. How? According to Boon, the Mortal Kombat universe has always embraced the supernatural. “We deal with spirits, the NetherRealm, resurrection—there are plenty of ways to bring dead characters back. The lore allows for anything.”
Completing the roster, Tati Gabrielle (The Last of Us Season 2) takes on the role of Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen (NCIS: Sydney) portrays Queen Sindel, adding further depth to Outworld’s royal lineage.
Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising a high-octane blend of brutal combat, supernatural storytelling, and fan-favorite characters—both old and new.
