Fans of the *Mortal Kombat* franchise have been eagerly awaiting updates on the sequel to the 2021 film, and now they have a first look at some of the new characters set to join the roster in *Mortal Kombat 2*. Entertainment Weekly has unveiled images of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, alongside the returning Hiroyuki Sanada reprising his role as Scorpion.
Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in *The Boys*, has sparked curiosity among fans about how he would embody the flamboyant and egocentric Hollywood star, Johnny Cage. The released image showcases Urban in a fresh-faced look, sporting Cage’s signature hair and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. In the background, we catch glimpses of Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade.
First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Kahn, 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, the co-creator of *Mortal Kombat* at NetherRealm Studios, about 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 Urban's unique take on the character, saying, "He's a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He's adding his own flair to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there."
Boon teased that fans can expect a "ridiculously hilarious” introduction for Johnny Cage. Director Simon McQuoid elaborated on the character's depth, stating, "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 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, exciting fans who enjoy the crossover between the film and the game.
In addition to these new additions, Damon Herriman (known for *Better Man*) will portray Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang will reprise their roles as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively, despite their characters' demise in the first film. Boon explained how this is possible, citing the *Mortal Kombat* lore that often brings characters back through spirits and the NetherRealm: "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 (*The Last of Us Season 2*) as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen (*NCIS: Sydney*) as Queen Sindel. *Mortal Kombat 2* is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising a thrilling continuation of the beloved franchise.
