Mortal Kombat 2 has unveiled its newest fighters, giving fans a first look at several key characters joining the sequel. Entertainment Weekly showcased images of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, alongside the returning Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion.
The highly anticipated portrayal of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, the self-absorbed Hollywood star, is finally revealed. His image, previously teased in an in-universe movie poster, shows a fresh-faced Urban embodying Cage's signature hairstyle and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. The background features returning cast members 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
NetherRealm Studios' Ed Boon commented on Johnny Cage's role, stating, "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores. He's a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl's 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 further teased a "ridiculously hilarious" character introduction. Director Simon McQuoid added, "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 released in Mortal Kombat 1 later this year.
Adding to the excitement, Damon Herriman (Better Call Saul) portrays Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang surprisingly reprise their roles as Kano and Kung Lao, despite their demise in the first film. Ed Boon explained this resurrection, referencing the game's lore: "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that. There are ways to bring dead characters back."
Finally, Tati Gabrielle (The Last of Us Season 2) joins the cast as Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen (NCIS: Sydney) plays Queen Sindel. Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025.
