The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the release of Mortal Kombat 2 this fall, following the 2021 reboot. With the sequel on the horizon, discussions are rife about its potential impact, from budget and box office predictions to casting choices and release date speculations. Let's delve into the online buzz surrounding this much-anticipated film.

For those of you who might have missed it. Here is a first look at the Mortal Kombat 2 movie!

Includes shots of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) Kitana, Shao Kahn and Scorpion! https://t.co/RenOSjHNg0 pic.twitter.com/4uoTdxQfdE

— Ed Boon (@noobde) March 17, 2025

The 2021 reboot introduced Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan, as a new protagonist. However, many fans have expressed a preference for established characters to take the spotlight. "I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully, he takes a backseat in this one," one fan commented. Another hinted at a shift in focus, stating, "He isn't the main character anymore, Johnny is. [OK] I'm not sure if it's Johnny but a lot of leaks have said he isn't the MC anymore."

The casting of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage has sparked a mix of reactions. While some fans are thrilled, others question the choice due to Urban's age. "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" one fan questioned, while another noted, "I like Karl Urban but at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore." Suggestions for alternative actors included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. However, Urban's defenders argue that his versatility could make him a surprising fit for the role. "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker," one fan countered, adding, "While I’m not suggesting this movie or performance will be anywhere on that level, I think it's unfair to suggest Urban can't pull it off."

The film's budget and potential box office performance are also hot topics. One fan predicted on a r/BoxOffice thread that Mortal Kombat 2 could bring in around $250 million. "If the budget stays reasonable, that wouldn’t be too bad," another fan responded. A more optimistic prediction suggested earnings under $300 million, with significant streaming success. "But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run," the fan added.

Mortal Kombat's Bizarre History of Movie and TV Adaptations

10 ImagesThe film's budget was initially expected to be less than the first film's $55 million, but delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July 2023 increased costs. Filming resumed in November 2023 and wrapped up by January 2024.

Some fans are skeptical about the sequel's success. "Feel like this might bomb honestly. First one wasn’t even well received and I doubt people will be rushing out to see this sequel. Also weird late October release date," one fan remarked, suggesting a potential shift in the release calendar. "If I was WB I would push Zach Cregger’s Weapons up to late October and push this to January or February 2026." However, others believe Karl Urban's popularity from The Boys could boost the film's performance. "I think you’re underestimating how big The Boys is, it has 55 million international viewers. I think the movie will do solid even outside the U.S.," one user argued.

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans are genuinely excited for Mortal Kombat 2. "First one was good fun and I loved these silly action movies growing up," one Redditor shared. "Looking forward to this." Another fan added, "F—k me but I’m excited for it. I liked the first one. It was corny but it’s Mortal Kombat which isn’t high art." A third fan emphasized the growing success of video game movies, stating, "This sub really needs to stop underestimating Video Game Movies."

There's also chatter about a potential release date swap with Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film One Battle After Another, currently slated for August. "That would make more sense," one user noted. "The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another fan agreed, saying, "MK screams August, IMO."

As the release date approaches, the fervor around Mortal Kombat 2 continues to grow. Whether fans are hopeful, skeptical, or just plain excited, one thing is clear: the conversation will keep going strong until the film hits the screens. K.O.

What do you think about Mortal Kombat 2? Let us know in the comments!