The first official images from Mortal Kombat 2 have arrived, giving fans a glimpse of the sequel’s highly anticipated new characters. Directed by Simon McQuoid, the film follows up on the 2021 reboot and promises to lean even further into the action, brutality, and lore of the beloved video game franchise.
One of the biggest reveals is Karl Urban (The Boys, Dredd) as Johnny Cage, the cocky Hollywood martial artist-turned-fighter. Speaking about his portrayal, Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon told Entertainment Weekly:
“He’s kind of a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. We love Karl Urban in The Boys, and he’s such a great actor that we knew he’d bring something special to Johnny Cage.”
Alongside Urban, we now have our first look at Adeline Rudolph (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Kitana, showcasing her signature steel fans, and Martyn Ford (F9: The Fast Saga) as the fearsome Outworld ruler Shao Kahn. Other new cast members include:
- Tati Gabrielle (You, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Jade
- Damon Herriman (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) as Quan Chi
- Desmond Chiam (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) as King Jerrod
- Ana Thu Nguyen (Suka) as Queen Sindel
The sequel also brings back key characters from the 2021 film, including Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han/Sub-Zero, and Max Huang as Kung Lao.
Bigger, Bolder, Bloodier
Director Simon McQuoid is returning to helm the sequel, and he’s doubling down on what made the first film a success. He told Entertainment Weekly:
“What I realized was go bigger, go bolder, don’t hold back, and really feed off the history of Mortal Kombat more. Just let it rip, and that’s what we’ve done.”
One of the biggest criticisms of the 2021 film was the lack of an actual Mortal Kombat tournament—something this sequel is set to rectify. The story will center around the legendary tournament, where Earth’s champions must face off against the warriors of Outworld.
With its R-rating already confirmed for “strong bloody violence and gore,” Mortal Kombat 2 looks to embrace the franchise’s signature brutality in full force.
Release Date
Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025. With a mix of returning fan favorites and exciting new characters, the sequel is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of the franchise.
